Design is not about vanity, it's about responsibility, integrity. It's self-effacing and at it's best invisible. Deep down I knew design wasn't about looking good or advancing one's career. But I had never considered my profession a vocation. But it is.
Information design requires both faith and commitment.
Faith that strong, clear thinking made visible can induce the same in your readers. And commitment to defend your content from those who tempt with laziness, chart junk and pointless bullet items. Galileo's books still teach us 400 years later. So go forth. The best designs are the ones that honor content and get out of the way.