The hottest Design Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Understanding The Player Brain, Pt. 1: Loss Avoidance

The Bottom Feeder • 727 implied HN points • 24 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Design
  1. Players respond better to positive reinforcement than negative feedback. For example, changing the word 'tired' to 'rested' made a frustrating game mechanic feel rewarding instead.
  2. Humans are very sensitive to losses and will avoid losing things, even if those things aren't that important. This can lead to players hoarding items in games rather than using them.
  3. When designing games, it's crucial to understand how players feel about loss and reward. Sometimes, it's best to accept player behavior and create systems that align with their preferences.

Why Is This Interesting? The Chess Set Edition

Why is this interesting? • 784 implied HN points • 19 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Design
  1. Elliott Walker and Tim Hucklesby saw a gap in the chess set market for something well-made but not too expensive. They created Nymzo to fill that space.
  2. Nymzo chess pieces are designed with high-quality materials, ensuring a satisfying feel and sound during play. The attention to detail is noticeable in every aspect, from the pieces to the bag.
  3. The product fits perfectly with current chess trends, enjoying popularity due to shows like Queen's Gambit and a growing interest in traditional, tactile experiences.

Meet NYC's Coolest Stealth Design Ninja!

CAFÉ ANNE • 3400 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Design
  1. The newsletter shares the fun story of Max Kolomatsky, a designer who redesigns NYC street flyers for free.
  2. He started the project for fun and ended up gaining a large social media following and big design gigs.
  3. Max's advice is to embrace doing creative work for fun or for free to nurture your unique creativity and spirit.

Handmind is heartwork

Austin Kleon • 2457 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration 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 Design
  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.
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The Monday Media Diet with Dalya Benor

Why is this interesting? • 603 implied HN points • 01 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Design
  1. Dalya enjoys reading a mix of newsletters and news articles, usually including notable sources like the NYT and WSJ. She likes to read books both in the morning and at night.
  2. One of her recommended books is Solvej Balle’s 'On the Calculation of Volume', which features a unique story of a woman reliving the same day. She appreciates the author's clean and engaging writing style.
  3. Dalya finds pleasure in discovering hidden gems while traveling, mentioning the Hunterian Museum in London as a must-visit, especially for its unique exhibits on surgery.

15 things I consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 581 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Design
  1. A short, curated list of things you consumed can surface useful recommendations and fun discoveries to try.
  2. Tiny, playful messages like “Wanna hear something crazy lolol” show how small texts can bring unexpected joy and connection.
  3. An essay about dictionaries can shift how you think about words and spark curiosity about older reference works like the 1913 Webster’s.

Very Good Bags

Culture Study • 2116 implied HN points • 19 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Design
  1. People spend a lot of time searching for the perfect bag that suits their needs. Everyone has different preferences and it's okay to share your experiences with bags.
  2. This is a fun space to talk about what makes your favorite bag special and how it works for you. If you're looking for specific recommendations, ask the group for help!
  3. The discussion is meant to be light and enjoyable, reminding us that while we can talk seriously about other topics, sharing about bags can be fun too.

Solving The Problems of HBM-on-Logic

More Than Moore • 490 implied HN points • 17 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Design
  1. Stacking HBM directly on top of accelerators creates a severe thermal bottleneck that pushes GPU temperatures far above safe operating limits.
  2. Solving it requires many coordinated changes — removing base dice, merging/thinning stacks, adding conductive shims, and aggressive backside or double-sided cooling — and the single most effective move is halving GPU clock speed, which lowers temperatures but cuts raw compute.
  3. Those fixes bring big cost, yield, and supply-chain challenges and may only give modest net gains, so 3D HBM-on-logic looks like a research roadmap rather than a near-term commercial product, with vendors likely pursuing improved 2.5D or remote high-bandwidth memory alternatives instead.

☞ Innovation Biopics

Cabinet of Wonders • 254 implied HN points • 13 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Design
  1. Innovation biopics are a popular film and TV genre that dramatizes how products and companies came to be.
  2. These films are often not fully accurate, but they push people to learn more and spotlight the messy, human side of innovation and success or failure.
  3. There’s a broader curiosity about obscure jobs and complex systems, illustrated by examples like insurance archaeology and a curated roundup of links on technology, design, and cultural history.

The Great (im)Balance

Endless Explorations • 79 implied HN points • 27 Sep 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Design
  1. Everyone has a logical side and an intuitive side. The logical side helps us stay on track, while the intuitive side can inspire creativity and lead to new ideas.
  2. Balancing logic and intuition is important for personal growth. We often suppress our creative side, but letting it express itself can lead to amazing results.
  3. Everyone has an inner voice that deserves to be heard. Listening to this voice and nurturing our creativity can unlock opportunities for more fulfilling experiences.

Gift Ideas for the Animation Inclined

Animation Obsessive • 7086 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Design
  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.

Why Creativity Will Matter More In An AI Age.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 68 implied HN points • 08 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Design
  1. AI is putting powerful creative tools into everyone's hands, making creativity a widely accessible way to stand out and add value.
  2. Creativity is fundamentally human self‑expression and choice, so authenticity and emotional perspective will matter more than purely data‑driven decisions.
  3. As interfaces shift from search and scrolling to conversation, storytelling and imaginative, poetic work will become the primary source of value rather than technical plumbing like targeting.

The Silence Ratio

Anima Mundi • 247 implied HN points • 31 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Design
  1. There is a measurable proportion of experience—the "Silence Ratio"—that’s free from external signals and lets the mind generate its own patterns. When that proportion falls, attention gets consumed and the conditions for deep thought and inner life shrink.
  2. Constant external stimulation during development trains people to react rather than to produce endogenous thought, making boredom, solitude, and sustained attention harder. Over time this can yield a thinner, more reactive sense of self rather than a robust interior life.
  3. The Silence Ratio matters across architecture, conversation, education, and how we measure well‑being or wealth, yet modern environments have generally reduced it. Adding more curated signals or apps won’t solve the problem—protecting and valuing unfilled time and space is the real remedy.

A 15-minute intro to involute gears

lcamtuf’s thing • 6938 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Design
  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.

The Monday Media Diet with Emma Apple Chozick

Why is this interesting? • 482 implied HN points • 17 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Design
  1. A diverse media diet is important; it's beneficial to read and listen to content from various sources and topics. Exploring different perspectives helps you grow creatively and personally.
  2. Reading for fun is just as valuable as reading for work. Enjoying literature can lead to relaxation and new ideas, breaking away from the grind of constant productivity.
  3. Getting lost in rabbit holes of interest can lead to amazing discoveries. Following your curiosity might connect you with inspiring people and new opportunities.

Do you know how controlled you are?

Disaffected Newsletter • 1338 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Design
  1. Machines are now designed to control how we use them, rather than serve our needs. This means we often have to jump through hoops to get them to work the way we want.
  2. Many modern designs prioritize environmental concerns over user convenience. For example, appliances automatically default to settings that may not be the most efficient for what we actually want.
  3. This shift in design reflects a broader issue where consumer products must comply with government mandates and societal goals rather than being created based on what people truly want.

🗣 Announcing the Relaunch of From the Desk...

From the Desk of Alicia Kennedy • 3144 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Design
  1. The newsletter 'From the Desk of Alicia Kennedy' is relaunching with new features like contributors, a book club, and monthly essay publications.
  2. There will be changes to the subscription rates, with an annual cost increase to $50, but existing $30 subscribers are locked in and new subscribers have until the end of 2023 to join at the lower rate.
  3. The newsletter will expand into a magazine-like format with additional content for paid subscribers like link recommendations, a cooking supplement, and a book club.

There are two mes

Austin Kleon • 3636 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Design
  1. There are two sides to everyone: the public persona and the real self. Recognizing this helps us understand people better.
  2. Life is a learning journey where experiences shape how we live. This idea emphasizes the importance of staying curious and open to growth.
  3. Children's creativity is pure and inspiring. To create great work, we can learn from their open-mindedness and natural expression.

The Headphone Revolution: Sony’s MDR Series Through the Years

Obsolete Sony’s Newsletter • 99 implied HN points • 15 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Design
  1. Sony has a long history of headphone innovation, starting from the 1960s with their first closed stereo headphones, the DR-4A. This set new standards in comfort and sound quality.
  2. In 1979, Sony changed the game with the MDR-3, which was lightweight and came with the original Walkman. This allowed people to listen to music anywhere, making portable audio popular.
  3. The introduction of noise-canceling headphones began in 1995 with the MDR-NC10, marking a huge advancement in listening technology. It helped users enjoy their music without distractions from their surroundings.

10 Beautifully Designed 1980's Sony Computers That Never Quite Delivered

Obsolete Sony’s Newsletter • 119 implied HN points • 08 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Design
  1. Sony was a key player in creating the MSX standard for home computers in the 1980s. This platform aimed to unify computer use and consumer electronics.
  2. Sony's MSX computers had creative designs and various models, but they faced tough competition and technical limits.
  3. Although they didn't change the home computing landscape as hoped, these Sony computers are still cool examples of 1980s tech innovation.

An Illustrated Survival Guide

OK Doomer • 337 implied HN points • 28 Nov 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Design
  1. There are two versions of the survival guide: one serious and one more casual. This way, readers can choose the style they prefer.
  2. The guide will cover essential survival topics, especially focusing on helping vulnerable people during tough situations like extreme weather.
  3. Support for the project is important, and the creator will share completed parts of the guide with subscribers as they go along.

The Monday Media Diet with Caroline McKay

Why is this interesting? • 1206 implied HN points • 21 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Design
  1. It's important to listen to your instincts, especially when it comes to personal safety. The book 'The Gift of Fear' teaches how being aware of subtle cues can help you avoid danger.
  2. Travel should be personal and challenging. Stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to the most memorable experiences and new perspectives.
  3. Reading is a mix of fun and learning. Choosing books that are entertaining yet insightful can bring joy and comfort to your life.

Studio as a verb

Austin Kleon • 3217 implied HN points • 30 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Design
  1. The word 'studio' comes from a verb, which reminds us that being creative is an active process. It means that we should always engage in making, experimenting, and creating.
  2. To generate great ideas, start by getting rid of your lesser ones first. Sometimes copying others can lead you to unique insights and inspiration.
  3. You can connect with people in special ways, like through shared interests. For example, cartooning helped a son bond with his elderly father, showing how creativity can strengthen relationships.

Engineering Liveness

Breaking Smart • 50 implied HN points • 01 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Design
  1. A 'useless machine' models a kind of liveness: things that exist to control their own state and resist being captured or made to serve external purposes.
  2. New Nature will look like a technological tangled bank — messy, competitive, and often secretly violent — so rewilding civilization means accepting risk, death, and illegible forms of competitiveness instead of sanitised spectacle.
  3. Liveness means reserving resources for self‑continuation and choosing to exist without proving usefulness; it’s about playing the infinite game and resisting being absorbed into finite goals.

Kent's Going Home

Software Design: Tidy First? • 905 implied HN points • 12 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Design
  1. The author has recently bought a house after a significant life change, marking a fresh start. It's a big step after a challenging nine years, and they feel emotional about it.
  2. They mention wanting to hear waves, which suggests a longing for peace and connection to nature in their new home. The sound of waves symbolizes a calming new beginning.
  3. The author is keeping some details private to protect their personal life, but they are excited about this new chapter. It's clear that this move is meaningful and brings them happiness.

The 50 Lost Waterways of Southwark

Londonist: Time Machine • 399 implied HN points • 24 May 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Design
  1. Coloring historic maps can provide interesting insights into the past, revealing hidden details such as lost waterways.
  2. Peeling off the rivers and streams from an old map and pasting them onto a modern map can show the significant presence of water bodies in an area.
  3. Exploring old maps and overlaying them onto current maps can unveil historical features like rivers that have been lost over time.

The Monday Media Diet with Daniel Giacopelli

Why is this interesting? • 1085 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Design
  1. Reading a lot of newsletters can help you stay informed and inspired, but it's easy to get overwhelmed. It's important to find a balance and prune your subscriptions sometimes.
  2. Exploring local culture and history can spark curiosity and lead to fascinating discoveries about where you live. Even your own neighborhood can have a rich past worth exploring.
  3. Using apps and technology in creative ways, like learning about bird species or local history through geolocation, can enhance your experiences and connection to your surroundings.

Hatchlings into fledglings

Austin Kleon • 3996 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Design
  1. A writer creates the story, and the reader brings it to life in their imagination. They both play important roles in enjoying a book.
  2. Celebrating the life of cartoonist Al Jaffee, who entertained many with his creativity, shows the impact of humor and art across generations.
  3. Listening to audiobooks and travel stories can inspire new experiences and adventures, like dreaming of visiting far-off places with family.

Complain & Propose

Software Design: Tidy First? • 3026 implied HN points • 27 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Design
  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.

Issue 10 – Pasta

Unbox Inbox • 1129 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🍲 Food & Drink Design
  1. Pasta packaging can be a work of art, with brands focusing on sustainability and design aesthetics.
  2. Quality pasta brands pay attention to packaging details like graphics and windows, attracting consumers with visually appealing designs.
  3. The trend in pasta packaging leans towards simplicity, utilizing clean lines, white space, and sans serif fonts.

Should this be a map or 500 maps?

escape the algorithm • 279 implied HN points • 11 Jun 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Design
  1. A story about 500 priests tasked with map-making highlights the contrast between shared protocols and individual expressiveness.
  2. The experiment's failure underlines the idea that modularity can limit expressiveness in creative work and systems.
  3. Expressiveness in design often involves a trade-off between specificity and adaptability, seen in various aspects of our designed world.

The Rise of the AI Autodidact

Kathy PM • 28 implied HN points • 19 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Design
  1. AI supercharges self-directed learners and makers, letting curious people prototype, code, design, and iterate much faster than before.
  2. Using AI to step into someone else’s craft can unintentionally bypass them and erode trust, because technical correctness doesn’t erase social impact.
  3. Balance curiosity with respect: explore aggressively on your own, but slow down when your work touches others’ domains, share early, invite collaboration, and make sure people keep agency over their craft.

Yours Robotically

Letters of Note • 1906 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Design
  1. The AI-generated sign-offs provide unique and creative ways to end letters or emails.
  2. There are categories of sign-offs for different types of correspondence, like positive, angry, apologetic, congratulatory, romantic, hot, reconciliatory, job-seeking, and holidaying.
  3. The sign-offs range from traditional and professional to humorous and personal, offering a diverse range of options to choose from.

Homepage Teardowns: What 6 Top SaaS Companies Get Right (and Wrong)

Startup Business Tips 🚀 • 43 implied HN points • 01 Feb 26
💼 Business Design
  1. Make your homepage instantly clear about who the product is for and what it does, use contextual social proof and realistic product visuals, and guide visitors to deeper pages with CTAs and FAQs instead of dumping too much detail.
  2. A sales-led motion can work below €10k ACV if you meet the right metrics: fast CAC payback (ideally under 6–12 months), enough ARR per AE, win rates above ~20%, short sales cycles, and mostly inbound-driven demos.
  3. Use early sales as a learning channel: document a simple visual sales process with clear CTAs, qualification rules, and next steps so you can learn how customers buy, improve positioning, and scale repeatably.

Do you know how controlled you are?

Disaffected Newsletter • 2597 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Design
  1. Machines today are often designed to make tasks more complicated for users instead of being user-friendly. This can lead to frustration and inefficiency.
  2. Some appliances have features that seem eco-friendly but actually complicate how they work, making users jump through hoops to get what they want.
  3. Government regulations and societal trends can shape product designs, leading to less functionality and more constraints on how we use everyday tools.