The hottest Design Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

The Film and Studio That 'Should Not Exist'

Animation Obsessive • 13095 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Film Design Creativity Production
  1. Cinema Fantasma, a unique stop-motion studio in Mexico, created the first Mexican stop-motion feature film called 'I Am Frankelda.' Their work shows how creativity can thrive even with tight budgets.
  2. The film has a fun, imaginative storyline with memorable characters and songs that resonate with audiences. Its premiere at the Annecy Festival was met with excitement and applause.
  3. The Ambriz brothers, who run Cinema Fantasma, faced many challenges but remained determined to bring their vision to life. They hope their success inspires more stop-motion projects in Mexico in the future.

Apple, Design, and the Future of the Device

Big Technology • 4878 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Devices Design User Experience Software
  1. Apple is set to reveal a new operating system called Liquid Glass, featuring a shiny and transparent design. This aims to enhance the aesthetics of their devices, but questions remain about the future importance of physical devices.
  2. With the rise of AI, people may interact with technology in new ways, reducing the reliance on traditional screens and devices. AI's development may outshine the need for beautiful hardware.
  3. Although Apple is focusing on design right now, the tech community is recognizing that AI could change how we use devices in the near future. Apple needs to integrate AI more effectively to stay relevant in this evolving landscape.

Sauce physics

Blackbird Spyplane • 959 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Clothing Trends Design Lifestyle Accessories
  1. Choosing the right fabric can really change how a piece of clothing feels and looks. It's important to think about material when picking out clothes.
  2. Teamwork is powerful, and sometimes big achievements come from people working together. Community connections can help create amazing things.
  3. There are unique, quality clothing pieces being made by independent designers, which can be really cool to discover and support. These designers often use sustainable materials and have interesting stories behind their creations.

What Hotelier Ari Heckman thinks about building brand worlds IRL

the case for brand 💼 • 137 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
💼 Business Hospitality Branding Entrepreneurship Design Marketing
  1. Ari Heckman focuses on creating unique brand worlds for his hotel projects, blending art and commerce. This approach helps make each hotel feel special and connected to the local culture.
  2. He emphasizes the importance of being involved in both the creative and operational sides of business. Balancing creative ideas with sound business practices can lead to better results.
  3. The idea of evolving beyond just being a hotel brand is key for Ash. They want to be seen as a lifestyle brand, offering more than just lodging, like products and experiences that connect with their brand story.

Make your social apps pop with LinkPresentation

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 874 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Software Apps Development User Experience Design
  1. You can easily improve your social apps by adding better link previews. This makes sharing more visually appealing and user-friendly.
  2. Building support for hyperlink features in your app can be quick and simple. Many times, you can get it done during a lunch break.
  3. If you're in a fast-paced environment, it's often easier to create a proof of concept and refine it later. Don't be afraid to just jump in and start making changes.
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The anti-It Bag

Blackbird Spyplane • 1059 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Fashion Design Lifestyle Trends Style
  1. There's a new bag called the 'anti-It Bag' that is stylish and practical. It's made from leftover materials, easy to clean, and looks unique.
  2. Comfortable organic-cotton sweatpants made in the USA are highlighted as a great choice for relaxing. They come with warm knit accessories perfect for the colder months.
  3. Tips are shared on how to style your existing sweaters in fresh ways. There's also a cool wool snap cardigan mentioned as a great addition to your wardrobe.

Shirts lookin' INKY!

Blackbird Spyplane • 1019 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Clothing Design Trends Style Retail
  1. James Coward has released an exclusive capsule collection that includes jackets and button-ups. The pieces are made with high-quality materials from a reputable mill.
  2. Canoe Club and Engineered Garments are launching their second collaboration featuring hooded jackets inspired by classic outdoor styles. These jackets are designed for comfort and practicality.
  3. A giveaway event is being held for four jackets from the Canoe Club x Engineered Garments collection. Interested participants can enter through a simple button click in the email.

For Paid Subscribers Only

The American Peasant • 1557 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Crafts Design Sculpture Painting Photography
  1. The first 100 Exeter hammers are on sale for $133 and come numbered. It's a great buy if you're into woodworking.
  2. You can learn more about the different types of hammers and their uses on the website provided. Knowing the right tool can really help your projects.
  3. Shipping for the hammers is free in the U.S., and you might want to check out the new T-shirts they offer too. It's a fun way to support a brand you like.

The Securicode Edition

Why is this interesting? • 422 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Automotive Design Innovation Security User Experience
  1. The Securicode keypad is a practical feature on vehicles that allows users to unlock doors without needing a key. It's been around since 1980 and remains popular because it's easy to use and very useful.
  2. Securicode introduces tiered access for vehicles, meaning you can allow someone to access your truck without giving them the ability to drive it. This is great for job sites where you might want to share tools without losing control of the vehicle.
  3. The long-lasting success of Securicode shows that simple solutions can be effective. More complex systems might be fancier, but they often require more resources, making Securicode a smart choice in automotive design.

🚀 Beyond 'The Jetsons': A new vision of a fantastic future that never was

Faster, Please! • 1096 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Film Design Futurism Architecture Literature
  1. Stories about the future are really important. They can inspire people to be more creative and push for new technologies.
  2. Dystopian tales have been popular for a long time, which makes the need for positive and hopeful stories about the future even greater.
  3. With technology changing fast, like AI and space travel, we need more stories that remind us to dream big and embrace progress.

From A Care-Less To A Care-Full Future

Creative Destruction • 26 implied HN points • 26 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Arts Media Design Fashion Gaming
  1. Products made with care and love stand out in a world filled with mediocre options. People appreciate the effort put into creating something beautiful and meaningful.
  2. There is a growing movement against mass-produced, cookie-cutter items. Many are seeking unique and thoughtful creations that offer a sense of connection.
  3. With so much low-quality content and design around us, high-quality work feels refreshing. It reminds us that better things are possible and worth pursuing.

Book Review: From Bauhaus To Our House

Astral Codex Ten • 24089 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Architecture Design Modernism Cultural critique Art history
  1. Modern architecture started as a reaction against traditional styles and aimed to be functional and non-bourgeois, but many people ended up disliking it.
  2. Even though architects thought their designs were better for society, many real workers preferred the old styles and often complained about the new ones.
  3. The focus on modern architecture continued because top schools and institutions pushed it as the only acceptable style, ignoring the opinions of the general public.

Features & Options Revisited

Software Design: Tidy First? • 220 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Software Design Innovation Development Engineering
  1. Software has two main ways to create value: features and options. Features are what the software can do now, and options are what it can potentially do in the future.
  2. Features give immediate benefits, while options provide possibilities for growth and adaptation. It's important to balance both in software design.
  3. It's essential to have a clear plan and structure when developing software. This helps ensure that all important parts are included and can be effectively communicated.

Why Is the Tesla Cybertruck So Depressingly Ugly?

The Honest Broker • 30021 implied HN points • 09 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Design Aesthetics Art Criticism Cultural Commentary Society
  1. The design of the Tesla Cybertruck is seen as ugly and intimidating, making it resemble a military vehicle rather than a car. This choice of design seems to prioritize power over aesthetic beauty.
  2. Many modern designs, including the Cybertruck, lack the nuances and curves that characterize beautiful art and architecture. Instead, they often appear harsh and cold, making them feel less welcoming.
  3. The trend towards ugly and aggressive designs reflects a cultural shift towards asserting power and dominance in society, which affects creativity and art negatively.

A 15-minute intro to involute gears

lcamtuf’s thing • 6938 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Engineering Manufacturing Design Mathematics Mechanics
  1. Involute gears are used in many everyday items like toys and cars. Their special shape helps them work smoothly and efficiently.
  2. These gears have specific properties that reduce friction and vibrations, allowing them to transfer motion without problems. This ensures they work together seamlessly.
  3. Understanding the design of involute gears helps in creating various gear types, even unique shapes, making it easier to innovate in mechanical engineering.

Augmented Coding: Copy/Paste Detector

Software Design: Tidy First? • 243 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Software Design Coding Development Innovation
  1. Copying and pasting code can help speed up development but may lead to issues if you're not careful. It's important to ensure that the pasted code fits well with the rest of your project.
  2. Having a clear design sense is crucial when coding. If your code lacks structure, it can become messy and hard to manage later on.
  3. Learning from mistakes in coding can lead to important lessons for future projects. Sharing these lessons can help others avoid the same pitfalls.

A quieter phone

Silentium • 199 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Lifestyle Wellness Media Art Design
  1. A quieter phone can help bring more peace into your life. Reducing distractions allows you to focus better.
  2. Quiet wallpapers can serve as a gentle reminder to seek calmness. They can enhance your phone's look while promoting tranquility.
  3. Taking time for silence can lead to better mental health. Embracing quiet moments can help reduce stress and anxiety.

The Generalize Step In TDD

Software Design: Tidy First? • 265 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Software Design Development Programming Testing
  1. TDD is not just about writing tests, it also involves thoughtful design. Practitioners understand the balance between testing and creating a good product structure.
  2. Having good examples in TDD practices is really important for understanding and applying concepts effectively. Clear examples can help break down complex ideas.
  3. There is a common misconception that TDD lacks a design phase, but experienced users know that design is a key part of the process. It's essential to integrate design thinking into TDD for better outcomes.

Copy From a Simpler Language

Software Design: Tidy First? • 375 implied HN points • 31 May 25
🕹 Technology Software Coding Design Innovation Programming
  1. Using a simpler coding language can help solve complex problems more effectively. It's like making a tough task easier by breaking it down.
  2. There's a technique to get better results from complicated languages by copying from simpler ones. This might be useful for solving tricky coding challenges.
  3. The speed of changes in coding can create new ways to approach these problems. Staying aware of these changes can help developers improve their skills.

Doomscroll: Trevor Paglen

Joshua Citarella's Newsletter • 437 implied HN points • 02 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Art Media Politics Technology Design
  1. Trevor Paglen discusses how art connects technology and politics, showing us what can often be hidden or ignored. His work helps us think about the important issues behind new tech.
  2. He talks about 'psyops capitalism', where media creates content based on user behavior, which can shape our views and experiences.
  3. Paglen compares early UFO stories to today's social media disinformation, highlighting how misinformation has always been a part of our society.

Success means you get to do it again tomorrow

Austin Kleon • 6554 implied HN points • 10 May 24
🎭️ Culture Art Music Literature Film Design
  1. Success is about doing what you love and getting to keep doing it, day after day. It's not about reaching a final goal, but enjoying the process.
  2. Understanding what you like can help you feel less stressed about being liked, which can make your work more authentic and free.
  3. Artists like Steve Albini believe that goals can create unnecessary stress. Instead, focusing on enjoying the process can lead to true success.

Gift Ideas for the Animation Inclined

Animation Obsessive • 7086 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Animation Film Art Design Entertainment
  1. There's a new gift guide for animation fans that features a mix of DVDs, Blu-rays, and books. It includes something for everyone, so you can find unique gifts this holiday season.
  2. Two short films worth checking out are 'Sierra' and 'Luki & the Lights'. Both tackle important themes and have received praise at film festivals, with 'Sierra' being available for free online.
  3. Recent animation news includes awards for films like 'Flow' and updates on various international projects. It's a great time to discover exciting new animated works from around the world.

what we talk about when we talk about taste

bookbear express • 1739 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Art Fashion Philosophy Literature Design
  1. Taste is a personal expression, influenced by our unique experiences and thoughts. It's important to focus on what feels true to us rather than just following trends.
  2. To develop a genuine sense of style or taste, we need to look inward. Buying what's popular or expensive doesn't always lead to true self-expression.
  3. Creativity often comes from valuing low-status or less popular ideas. Being an artist means focusing on what you love, even if it's different from what others appreciate.

The Curious Case of the Pearl Jam Posters

Webworm with David Farrier • 10299 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Artists Posters Compensation Design Creativity
  1. An artist was asked to make posters for a Pearl Jam tour but was offered an unusual form of payment.
  2. There were mixed reactions from artists who had similar deals with bands like Pearl Jam, with some feeling undervalued.
  3. The case raises questions about fair compensation for artists and the value of their work, sparking a conversation about artist payment standards.

The objects we love and live with

Austin Kleon • 2517 implied HN points • 14 May 24
🎭️ Culture Art Design Lifestyle Family Technology
  1. The objects we own can reveal a lot about who we are and what we value. They reflect our interests and memories.
  2. Having meaningful items at home, like a piano, can enrich our lives and provide emotional outlets, especially for children.
  3. Commercials or ads that show destruction of beloved items can be shocking and evoke strong feelings, reminding us of our attachments to the things we cherish.

What's in the cards

Austin Kleon • 5215 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Music Education Design Travel
  1. Creating your own library checkout cards can be a fun project. You just need pockets, typewriters, and the right cards!
  2. New books by favorite cartoonists are now available. Check out Liana Finck's children's book and Kevin Huizenga's re-released work.
  3. Enjoying nature can be comforting, like watching baby eagles hatch on a live cam. It's a great way to connect with the world around us.

Complain & Propose

Software Design: Tidy First? • 3026 implied HN points • 27 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Design Engineering Communication Management
  1. Always offer a solution when you raise a complaint. This helps others see the way forward and saves time.
  2. Consider things from the other person's point of view. Everyone has their own valid perspective, and understanding that can improve communication.
  3. Don't let emotions cloud your judgment about others' intentions. Assume people mean well, even if they lack experience.

Substack Reads: The double exposure effect, a mustard obsession, and the color of Neptune

read • 4894 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Entertainment Design Coaching Science Memoir
  1. Nominees with great performances in multiple roles can lead to extra praise, known as the double exposure effect.
  2. Mustard packaging has a rich history dating back centuries, with brands like Grey Poupon and Maille showcasing timeless design.
  3. Neptune's true color is not actually blue as previously thought, but a milky, unmemorable interstellar cataract, challenging our perceptions.

Caterpillar to Butterfly

Software Design: Tidy First? • 1237 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Software Expertise Design Consulting Scaling
  1. As organizations grow, the need for specialist skills becomes more important. It's not enough to have hobbyists; experts are needed to handle complex tasks.
  2. When specialist teams form, their priorities might clash with client teams' needs. Client teams often want quick fixes, while specialists aim for quality work.
  3. To handle increased requests, organizations should empower client teams to solve their own issues. This self-service approach helps manage workloads and creates better efficiency.

Text to robot, olfactory, and geopolitical strategies

The Strategy Toolkit • 17 implied HN points • 03 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Robotics AI Innovation Design Engineering
  1. MIT scientists are creating robots using a new method called 'text to robot', where you can describe what you want the robot to do using simple language. For example, you can ask for a robot that can walk or make lemonade.
  2. This AI-driven design approach allows for innovative robot designs, like a special robotic hand that can operate medical tools effectively. It's exciting to think about how these robots could be used in hospitals.
  3. The work combines ideas from different fields, like biology and engineering, to inspire a new generation of robots that are practical and useful in everyday tasks.

The fabric Nightclub Book Edition

Why is this interesting? • 1266 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Nightlife Music Hospitality Design Arts
  1. The fabric nightclub in London is unique because it has maintained a strong focus on music and guest experience for many years. Many nightclubs chase nightlife trends and greed, but fabric stays true to its roots.
  2. The book about the nightclub captures its rich history and the passion of its community, including famous DJs and emerging artists. It highlights how important these connections are to the club's identity.
  3. Hospitality is essential for a great night out. At fabric, every detail, from security to coat checks, is handled carefully to create a welcoming experience where guests feel safe and taken care of.

Handmind is heartwork

Austin Kleon • 2457 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Collage Creativity Craft Design
  1. Creating by hand connects our thoughts with our hearts. It helps us slow down and be more mindful about our work.
  2. Working with crafts can be a powerful way to express ourselves. It combines our ideas with physical creation.
  3. Collaboration and conversation can inspire new ideas. Sharing thoughts with friends can lead to meaningful projects.

The Chronicles of GND, Part 2

filterwizard • 19 implied HN points • 25 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Engineering Electronics Design Innovation Systems
  1. In modern circuits, many designs operate on a single supply instead of a split supply. This means they only use a positive voltage and treat ground as the reference point, which changes how we think about electrical connections.
  2. It's important to create separate nets for ground and a '0V' reference in circuit layouts. Mixing currents from both can lead to problems, even if they seem similar in potential.
  3. Using a low-impedance ground plane isn’t always the best solution. In sensitive systems, small voltage drops and current flow can significantly affect performance, so careful design is essential.

“Best” Practices Ain’t...

Software Design: Tidy First? • 1833 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Design Development Practices Collaboration
  1. Not all problems are the same, so don't always rely on 'best practices.' Different types of problems need different approaches.
  2. Using 'best practice' as a catchphrase can be misleading. It can hide someone's lack of confidence or let others avoid taking responsibility.
  3. For simple problems, sure, use 'best practices.' But for more complex issues, think critically and come up with your own solutions instead.

The Sweatshirt V-Notch Edition

Why is this interesting? • 1146 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Clothing Design Trends Functionality History
  1. The V-notch on sweatshirts started out as a practical feature for absorbing sweat and allowing flexibility. It was created for football players to wear comfortably.
  2. Many sweatshirts today have the V-notch but it's mostly for style, not function. It's interesting how practical designs can become just a fashion statement over time.
  3. Learning about fabric manufacturing, like Loopwheeler's unique approach, helps us appreciate quality and the history behind our everyday clothing.