This is the last newsletter of the year. I’m really grateful you’re here. In 2026, I’ll be putting even more value into this channel, so stay tuned. But before everyone jumps into 2026 goals, let’s pause for a moment.

This year I reviewed many portfolios, worked with designers at very different stages, and watched the industry change in real time. Some things surprised me. Some patterns kept repeating. I’m sharing a few reflections and a simple way to think about what to carry into 2026.

One more thing. My Christmas discount for portfolio products runs until 31 December. The moment the clock hits 2026, it ends. If you’ve been thinking about joining the course, this is the best time.

20% off with code CHRISTMAS2025

Level 01

After reviewing many (sorry, I didn’t count this time), portfolios this year, one thing became very clear.

It didn’t matter if they worked at Google or had 1 year of experience. The strongest portfolios all had the same thing in common:

Not more slides, methods, words, visuals or buzzwords (like “empathy” or “complex problems”).

Level 02

In 2025 I helped:

All of them struggled with their portfolios. Why?

Things like:

Yes, in many design jobs designers mainly execute and deliver, and decisions are made quickly together with the team. Often nothing is measured, so you’re not aware of your impact. The whole process can feel messy, which is why many designers struggle later when they try to turn that work into a clear portfolio story. So it’s normal that your portfolio feels weak.

I personally learned more about these skills through content creation than through my design jobs. So no shame here.

Level 03

The 2 most commonly missing skills I saw this year were:

And by communication, I don’t mean confidence. I mean:

This isn’t about being a bad designer. Most designers were never trained in these skills. Most of us are hired to execute, not to market ourselves. That’s why portfolios are hard for everyone.

Level 04

This is where many designers get stuck. They try to fix everything at once:

That’s a fast track to burnout. Instead, separate the problems and be honest about what’s actually holding you back. Ask yourself:

Then act accordingly. Examples:

If you want to progress on more than one thing, reduce the scope:

Not 100 things at once.

That’s a content signal. In that case, the solution isn’t a better portfolio, but a better input:

Decide which one you need to work on first.

Level 05

For years I thought reflection was a waste of time. Execution was everything. I know many of you grew up in the same mindset.

Before setting goals for 2026, pause and reflect. Ask yourself:

What gave me energy this year?

What drained me?

Then use a simple approach to create your 2026 direction:

This year was my most fulfilling and most intense year professionally.

I’ve been moving deeper into entrepreneurship. I learned a lot and enjoyed the growth, but it also came with stress, overwork, identity shifts, and moments where rest felt uncomfortable.

For the first time in my career, this year wasn’t mainly about designing. I did less hands-on design work than ever before, and that took time to accept. Instead, I focused on building something new.

This year was about content creation, brand partnerships, hiring and mentoring designers, growing my course, community, 1:1 work, and templates. Freelance work decreased, and in 2026 I’m leaning into entrepreneurship even more.

I’m a generalist. I still love design, but I also love creating, experimenting, making my own decisions, and taking risks. This shift gave me a wider perspective on design careers, portfolios, and growth than I’ve ever had before.

My goal stays the same. I want to help you build a clearer, more intentional career, with practical guidance and honest insights, especially in a market that feels noisy and overwhelming. In 2026, I’ll bring even more structure, sharper thinking, and fresh perspectives into this space.

Thank you for being here this year. See you in 2026 ✨

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