Read this before starting a mini design movement.

Earlier this week, a designer on X claimed he had “accidentally started a mini design movement.” Within hours, it became a meme. Even Figma joined in. Why did this blow up, and what can we learn?

It all started with a post on X, in which the author was referring to the dither effect, that soft grainy texture suddenly appearing on every SaaS landing page. Within hours, it became a meme. Designers joked about their own “movements.” Even Figma’s CEO joined in.

Funny, but also revealing. It says a lot about where design culture in tech is right now: fast, self-referential, and often disconnected from its own history.

The post itself wasn’t that interesting. The reaction was. Some designers were genuinely outraged that someone could take credit for a decades-old visual technique. Others joined in ironically, joking that they had “invented” gradients, glows, or drop shadows. Even some major design tools got involved, fueling the discussion. It created a mix of parody, debate, and reflection: a perfect snapshot of how design culture works online: part discourse, part performance.