Need help sparking real conversations in your design community? Unpopular opinion posts are a proven way to encourage thoughtful debate and get members talking. Use these templates to create respectful, engaging discussions that bring fresh perspectives to your group.
Plan your content calendar and auto-post to Skool, Circle, or Mighty Networks
Unpopular opinion posts tap into the natural curiosity and passion of designers by challenging common assumptions and inviting new viewpoints. When members see a respectful challenge to the status quo, it often inspires them to share their own experiences or defend their perspective, creating lively but civil discussions.
This content type also gives quieter members permission to voice thoughts they may have kept private, increasing diversity of input and making the community feel more inclusive. When handled with care, these debates can lead to greater understanding, creativity, and connection among members.
By encouraging members to explain their reasoning, you promote critical thinking and deeper learning. Moderation and a constructive tone keep the conversation safe and welcoming for all.
Unpopular opinion: Minimalism is overrated in design. What do you think?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Minimalism is overrated in design. What do you think?"
I believe stock illustrations can add more personality than custom artwork sometimes. Agree or disagree?
💡 Example: "I believe stock illustrations can add more personality than custom artwork sometimes. Agree or disagree?"
Hot take: Good design does not need to be user-friendly all the time. Thoughts?
💡 Example: "Hot take: Good design does not need to be user-friendly all the time. Thoughts?"
Is it just me, or are gradients making a comeback for the wrong reasons?
💡 Example: "Is it just me, or are gradients making a comeback for the wrong reasons?"
Unpopular opinion: Too much emphasis is put on originality in design. Do you agree?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Too much emphasis is put on originality in design. Do you agree?"
I think portfolio websites matter less than LinkedIn profiles for designers today. Who agrees?
💡 Example: "I think portfolio websites matter less than LinkedIn profiles for designers today. Who agrees?"
Design systems are stifling creativity more than helping. Change my mind.
💡 Example: "Design systems are stifling creativity more than helping. Change my mind."
I feel like awards in design are mostly popularity contests. What are your thoughts?
💡 Example: "I feel like awards in design are mostly popularity contests. What are your thoughts?"
Unpopular opinion: Dark mode is often less accessible than people claim.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Dark mode is often less accessible than people claim."
I think logos with lots of detail stand out more in today's market. Agree?
💡 Example: "I think logos with lots of detail stand out more in today's market. Agree?"
Hot take: Design education should focus less on software and more on visual thinking.
💡 Example: "Hot take: Design education should focus less on software and more on visual thinking."
Unpopular opinion: Helvetica is not a great typeface for digital projects.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Helvetica is not a great typeface for digital projects."
I think most famous rebrands are unnecessary. Do you see value in them?
💡 Example: "I think most famous rebrands are unnecessary. Do you see value in them?"
Are wireframes overrated in the design process?
💡 Example: "Are wireframes overrated in the design process?"
Unpopular opinion: Dribbble has hurt design more than it has helped.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Dribbble has hurt design more than it has helped."
I believe inspiration from outside design is more valuable than following design trends.
💡 Example: "I believe inspiration from outside design is more valuable than following design trends."
Hot take: Clients with no design background can have the best ideas.
💡 Example: "Hot take: Clients with no design background can have the best ideas."
Unpopular opinion: Animation in UI is mostly a distraction.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Animation in UI is mostly a distraction."
I think most mood boards are a waste of time. Any defenders?
💡 Example: "I think most mood boards are a waste of time. Any defenders?"
Hot take: Designers should not always aim for pixel-perfect results.
💡 Example: "Hot take: Designers should not always aim for pixel-perfect results."
Unpopular opinion: Templates do not kill creativity. They save it.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Templates do not kill creativity. They save it."
I think designers should learn to code, but only after mastering design basics. Agree?
💡 Example: "I think designers should learn to code, but only after mastering design basics. Agree?"
Hot take: Overused mockup templates ruin the impact of portfolio work.
💡 Example: "Hot take: Overused mockup templates ruin the impact of portfolio work."
Is it time to retire the hamburger menu in UI design?
💡 Example: "Is it time to retire the hamburger menu in UI design?"
Unpopular opinion: Most design trends are just recycled old ideas.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Most design trends are just recycled old ideas."
I believe feedback from non-designers is more helpful than designer feedback sometimes. Thoughts?
💡 Example: "I believe feedback from non-designers is more helpful than designer feedback sometimes. Thoughts?"
Hot take: Color theory is overrated compared to real-world experimentation.
💡 Example: "Hot take: Color theory is overrated compared to real-world experimentation."
Unpopular opinion: Mobile-first is not always the best approach for every project.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Mobile-first is not always the best approach for every project."
I think sketching on paper is unnecessary for most digital designers. Do you agree?
💡 Example: "I think sketching on paper is unnecessary for most digital designers. Do you agree?"
Hot take: Designers spend too much time on inspiration sites and not enough on actual design.
💡 Example: "Hot take: Designers spend too much time on inspiration sites and not enough on actual design."
Unpopular opinion: Most clients care more about speed than quality.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Most clients care more about speed than quality."
I believe a good designer should say no more often than yes. Who agrees?
💡 Example: "I believe a good designer should say no more often than yes. Who agrees?"
Hot take: Flat design is less effective for branding than skeuomorphism.
💡 Example: "Hot take: Flat design is less effective for branding than skeuomorphism."
Unpopular opinion: Mood boards should always include references outside of design.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Mood boards should always include references outside of design."
I think the best design inspiration comes from failure, not success stories. Thoughts?
💡 Example: "I think the best design inspiration comes from failure, not success stories. Thoughts?"
Hot take: Overexplaining design choices to clients can backfire.
💡 Example: "Hot take: Overexplaining design choices to clients can backfire."
Unpopular opinion: There are too many design podcasts and not enough practical resources.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: There are too many design podcasts and not enough practical resources."
I believe every designer should try freelancing at least once. Agree or disagree?
💡 Example: "I believe every designer should try freelancing at least once. Agree or disagree?"
Hot take: Accessibility guidelines are often treated as optional in real projects.
💡 Example: "Hot take: Accessibility guidelines are often treated as optional in real projects."
Unpopular opinion: Mood boards restrict creativity if used too early.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Mood boards restrict creativity if used too early."
I think design sprints should be shorter than a week. What is your ideal sprint length?
💡 Example: "I think design sprints should be shorter than a week. What is your ideal sprint length?"
Hot take: Designers undervalue the impact of copywriting on their work.
💡 Example: "Hot take: Designers undervalue the impact of copywriting on their work."
To use these templates, simply copy and paste your chosen prompt into your community platform, adjusting details to fit your group. Start by sharing your own reasoning, or ask members to elaborate on their thoughts. Make sure to monitor replies and step in early if the tone shifts away from respectful debate. Rotate unpopular opinion posts with other content types to keep engagement high without overwhelming the feed.
On all platforms, use clear and neutral language to introduce your unpopular opinions. Pin or highlight posts with high engagement to showcase civil debate. Use built-in moderation tools to filter out disrespectful comments. Encourage replies with open-ended questions rather than yes or no polls. Adapt each post's format (text, image, story, etc.) to fit your platform's best practices for visibility.
It is a prompt where someone shares a counterintuitive or less common viewpoint about design, inviting discussion.
Use them sparingly, about once a week or less, to avoid fatigue and keep debates fresh and meaningful.
Set clear rules, actively moderate, and model respectful engagement in every thread. Step in early if needed.
Yes, but review submissions before posting to ensure they are constructive and not inflammatory.
Remind members of community guidelines, pause the discussion if needed, and privately address any problematic behavior.
Yes, but adjust your moderation level and frequency of posts based on your community's size and engagement.
Absolutely. Sharing your thought process models the kind of respectful explanation you want to see from members.
Skool · Circle · Mighty Networks