Good news for designers — the attention economy is dying

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Canvs Editorial
Meaningful stories and insightful analyses on design

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In a world where we’re constantly bombarded with information, grabbing and holding attention has become harder than ever.

Whether it’s on social media, through ads, or even in our work, the race to capture people’s focus is relentless. But as this race intensifies, we’re starting to see cracks in the system.

The quick hits of attention that once worked are beginning to lose their effect, and the approach that got us here no longer seems sustainable. It’s time to look deeper into how the attention economy is eating itself.

Why the attention economy is a self eating snake

The ouroboro phenomenon

Imagine the attention economy as an ouroboros, the ancient symbol of a snake eating its own tail. It’s a perfect representation of what’s happening right now.

The attention economy, once thriving on short, snappy bursts of content designed to hook us in, has started to consume itself. What worked in the past — quick hits of dopamine from likes, shares, and follows — is no longer working in the same way.

With everyone competing for attention, the quality of content has taken a backseat. Designers and influencers keep pumping out more of the same, hoping to stand out.

But here’s the problem: there’s no substance.

It’s a cycle of diminishing returns, where the more we produce, the less we truly connect.

The decline of personal brands

Take a look at personal branding. Just a few years ago, building a personal brand through short-form content was seen as the golden ticket to success.

Designers, influencers, and content creators grew massive followings by constantly posting bite-sized, attention-grabbing content.

Now, having a big following isn’t enough. People are tired of the noise and starting to tune out. What once seemed like a clear path — gain followers, build a brand, and monetize it — has become cluttered.

The copy-paste culture

The design community is currently overwhelmed with content that lacks originality and freshness.

It’s the same familiar topics — button comparisons, basic UX tips, and standard design advice — repeated endlessly.

While these pieces of content once offered valuable insights, they’ve become predictable and less impactful over time.

The focus has shifted from creating unique and enriching content to simply maintaining a presence.

Shifting focus to substance in design

There’s a growing demand for design content that goes beyond surface-level tips and visuals, with a focus on providing real depth and insight.

Audiences are now looking for more thoughtful content- unique perspectives, comprehensive analysis, or practical resources that can be applied to real-world design challenges.

This new era calls for designers to create content that adds lasting value.

Here are some good reads that have focused on substance over surface-level content:

• Elizabeth Laraki Google Maps UX: The India Conundrum​
• Growth.Design 62 UX Case Studies To Improve Your Product Skills
• Matthew Ström UI Density

Why this shift is good news for designers

This new direction in content creation is a breath of fresh air for designers. It removes the constant pressure to churn out content just for the sake of staying visible.

Instead of feeling the need to post frequently just to rack up likes or build a following, designers can now take the time to create work they’re genuinely proud of.

It also encourages more creativity and originality. With less emphasis on keeping up with fleeting trends or copying what’s already out there, designers have the freedom to experiment and think deeper about their work.

This shift means there’s more room for unique voices, new perspectives, and thoughtful contributions that actually add value to the design community.

Ultimately, this can lead to more meaningful, impactful designs — and a more fulfilling creative process.

Embrace the change

We’re entering a new phase where meaningful work is becoming more important than ever for designers.

This shift allows us to slow down, explore new ideas, and focus on creating designs that make a real impact. Instead of chasing trends or quick likes, now is the time to rethink our approach and create something that truly matters.

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