My first message (of the year)

Hey Oncer,

2025 has barely started, and it already feels like a whirlwind. For the past three years, I’ve been building—though only in the last year did I have the privilege to do it full-time. Leaving behind the corporate grind was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. No more slow-moving bureaucracy, pointless meetings, or redundant tasks. Now, I’m building things I’m passionate about, for a community I deeply care about, surrounded by incredible people. I couldn’t be more grateful.

Speaking of community, the Design Engineers Club has surpassed 1,400 sign-ups! Holy shit, that’s unreal. Huge kudos to every single one of you who made it happen.

In this newsletter, I’ll share some updates on what we’ve been working on and close with a personal note. Whether you’re contemplating a solo venture, thinking of leaving your day job, or just need a boost, stick around. I think you’ll find something valuable here.

Most importantly: 0.5 is out!

This is a wohoo—holy shit moment for me. The concepts in this update have been swirling in my mind so intensely, they’ve even made their way into my dreams. (Yes, literally.) If supernatural spirits exist, they’ve definitely been meddling with my thoughts.

Right now, I’m updating the Once UI docs, scheduled for release in just a few days. Stay tuned! If you have questions about the new version, hop into our Discord.

What’s next? Templates!

We want to make it easier than ever to get started with Once UI, so we’re creating templates. You can expect the same high standards as Magic Portfolio, but this time with a single subscription giving you access to all our resources.

You can already subscribe for $64/year, which currently includes our full Figma design system. (And hey, subscribing now gives us even more fuel to keep building faster!)

Here’s what’s on the horizon:

• Fourthwall x Once UI: Launch a merch store in minutes—perfect for building community and soft-monetizing your product.

• SaaS Starter Kit: A streamlined foundation for launching your own SaaS.

• Agency Templates: Ready-made designs for dev and design agencies.

Got an idea for a template? We’d love to hear your thoughts—share them on Discord!

Updates on Enroll

Enroll has been a game-changer for growing the Design Engineers Club. Building it shaped many ideas for Once UI 0.5, and the momentum doesn’t stop there.

Recent updates include:

• Webhooks

• Beehiiv Integration

And we’re cooking up even more. While I’ll share details once we’ve finalized the roadmap, I can tell you this: Enroll is evolving into what I believe will be the builder’s ultimate toolbox.

Enroll started as a random idea but has grown into something shaped by personal experiences as indie creators. Our vision is simple: create online spaces built around authentic micro-communities—not the fake, bot-filled interactions of mass social media.

Something to chew on

I feel deeply grateful for the life I’m living, the people around me, and the “job” that doesn’t feel like a job. But let’s be real: none of this comes without cost.

My income isn’t stable, and I often wrestle with uncertainty. These past years have been filled with failure—daily, sometimes. It was terrifying at first, but I’ve come to see failure as a gift.

Seriously.

Failure makes you grow. It toughens you up, sharpens your perspective, and helps you see the world as it truly is—with all its flaws and beauty. It teaches you to appreciate the highs because you’ve survived the lows.

Success, on the other hand, can make you arrogant, delusional, and fragile. It can turn into an addiction, a constant chase for the next dopamine hit. We’re seeing it everywhere—from politics to social media.

What I’m saying is: don’t fear failure. It’s not just a part of life; it’s a catalyst for growth. And if you think you’re alone, you’re not. Everyone struggles, even if the world tries to hide it. Genuine human connection is rare, and with AI rising, it might become even rarer.

That’s why I’m building Enroll, the Design Engineers Club, and Magic Portfolio. It’s my way of staying human in a world that’s becoming less human every day.

And I wouldn’t trade it for a soul-sucking day job—ever.

If this resonates with you—if you’re struggling, dreaming, building, or just navigating life—I’d love to hear your story. Share whatever’s on your mind, big or small. You can reply directly to this email or hop into our Discord.

We’re in this together, and I truly believe that conversations like these can spark connections that remind us why we keep going.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Best,
Lorant

Thanks for reading the Design Engineers Weekly.
Join the Design Engineers Club on Discord as well!

p.s. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to chat. Discord, LinkedIn and Threads are the platforms I currently use. You can start with something simple… for example, where did you hear about us? :)