The hottest Design Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Souvenirs that outlive us

Austin Kleon • 1978 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Design
  1. Creating art is often messy and unpredictable. It's not always as straightforward as the end result might suggest.
  2. Inspiration can come from the most mundane things, like everyday objects. Even clothespins can spark creativity and lead to new artistic ideas.
  3. Blackout poetry doesn't have to come from traditional sources like books. Using unusual materials can make the process fun and unique.

New year, new templates

The faintest idea • 599 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
💼 Business Design
  1. Using visual tools like FigJam can help connect ideas better in meetings and projects. It's a fun way to share updates and collaborate.
  2. Templates for strategy, decision-making, and team management can make work processes smoother and more organized. They help you tackle big problems effectively.
  3. Regular 1:1 meetings are important for team development. They allow for thoughtful discussions and reflections on projects and career growth.

Moving On

Software Design: Tidy First? • 1281 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Design
  1. It's important to recognize when to move on from a project that isn't working. You don't have to stick with something just because you've already invested time or resources into it.
  2. Balancing between believing in your ideas and treating them as experiments is key. If something isn't getting good feedback, it's okay to change direction and try something new.
  3. Using timeboxing can help you make better decisions about projects. Setting a time limit lets you step back and reconsider if it's worth continuing or if you should explore other options.

The Designer-Retailer Friction Edition

Why is this interesting? • 482 implied HN points • 03 Jul 25
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Design
  1. Selling through big online retailers can be both good and bad for small designers. They get exposure and orders, but sales events can hurt their sales at independent stores.
  2. Designers struggle with fluctuating order sizes. A big order one season can shrink the next, causing financial stress if they've expanded their operations.
  3. Payment terms with retailers can be tough. They usually pay on their schedule, which can lead to cash flow problems for independent designers.

Framing things: a personal essay

Design Lobster • 439 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Design
  1. Approaching work with care and reverence, handling it as if it's a precious artifact, can enhance the creative process.
  2. Taking time to appreciate the beauty and significance of ordinary design elements can lead to unexpected moments of inspiration.
  3. Reflecting on and framing our own work, treating each step with importance, can help in navigating through the ups and downs of the design process.
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Genie Fight

Software Design: Tidy First? • 331 implied HN points • 18 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Design
  1. Comparing different coding approaches can help find the best solution. This way, you can learn which method works best in practice.
  2. Reliable performance is the most important part of software design. If the program doesn't work well, it defeats the purpose of the project.
  3. Testing is crucial for ensuring software reliability. Using tests helps developers make sure everything runs smoothly.

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

Faster, Please! • 1096 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Design
  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.

The Sweatshirt V-Notch Edition

Why is this interesting? • 1146 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Design
  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.

Your phone needs a sock

The Rectangle • 141 implied HN points • 14 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Design
  1. The iPhone Pocket is a stylish, high-priced accessory that lacks the practicality its name suggests. People are confused and frustrated by its high cost and its unclear purpose.
  2. Smartphones are both expensive and widely owned, making them feel utilitarian rather than special. Unlike cars or jewelry, phones often look similar, which reduces their uniqueness.
  3. The backlash against the iPhone Pocket reflects a discomfort with fashion and excess in smartphone culture. People usually see phones as everyday tools, not luxury items that need special presentation.

Conclusion: Final section intro from Tidy Together

Software Design: Tidy First? • 397 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Design
  1. Software design is all about relationships, not just code. It’s important to think about how people interact with the software and each other.
  2. Tidy design involves making choices about how components and functions work together. This helps keep things clear and manageable.
  3. Making big changes in small, safe steps can lead to better results in software development. It allows for easier adjustments along the way.

An Introduction to UPA

Animation Obsessive • 4664 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Design
  1. UPA studio revolutionized animation in the 1940s and 1950s with modern art influences and unique storytelling.
  2. The UPA animation style focused on emotion over anatomy, leading to groundbreaking visuals and storytelling.
  3. UPA's work extended beyond well-known films like Mr. Magoo, encompassing TV commercials, series, and experimental shows.

Spooky season! 👻

Austin Kleon • 2677 implied HN points • 30 Sep 22
🎭️ Culture Design
  1. Spooky season is a time for fun and cozy activities like watching scary movies. It's a great way to enjoy the change in the air and get into the spirit of fall.
  2. Reading is highlighted as a wonderful pastime, with recommendations for both fiction and non-fiction books. This can inspire others to dive into new stories or learn something new.
  3. Sharing experiences like interesting events or personal reflections can connect people and spark conversations. It’s a reminder of the joy of community through shared interests.

Beauty matters

Disaffected Newsletter • 1478 implied HN points • 06 May 23
🎭️ Culture Design
  1. Beauty is important in our lives. It can transform a simple home into a cozy and inviting place.
  2. Older appliances and goods can be more reliable than new ones. They cost less and often last longer.
  3. Hobbies can bring joy, like collecting antique kerosene lamps. They not only serve a purpose but also add charm to a space.

Simplicity Is Velocity

Category Pirates • 805 implied HN points • 09 May 23
💼 Business Design
  1. Simplicity is key for creating successful products and categories.
  2. Complexity can lead to product failure as consumers prefer simplicity.
  3. Simplicity can drive company growth by expanding the market potential.

22 questions with Aaron Aalto

Design Lobster • 319 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Design
  1. Aaron Aalto designs products that empower people and is known for his illustration work.
  2. He dreams of designing a self-actualization product dedicated to helping people reach their goals, like a Fitbit but for mental health and spiritual needs.
  3. A key lesson he learned is to stay curious, be well-read, and experience the world, as it amplifies his hunger for learning and openness to new things.

#144 Design Déja Vu

Design Lobster • 479 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Design
  1. Corporate Memphis or Globohomo is an overused illustration style characterized by flat colors, geometric elements, and simplistic human figures, popular in Big Tech software.
  2. The Lobster typeface, designed by Pablo Impallari, became widely popular in the 2010s for its retro-contemporary appeal, but font choices should always align with the intended message.
  3. Designers should aim to bring a human touch to designs without relying on typical illustrations, considering alternatives to communicate warmth and humanity.

Where to draw the line?

Subconscious • 1225 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Design
  1. Breaking problems into smaller pieces helps us manage them better. It's like solving a big puzzle by working on one piece at a time.
  2. Modules or parts of a system allow us to focus on what’s important without worrying about the whole. This makes it easier to change and adapt parts as needed.
  3. Deciding where to draw boundaries in a system can greatly affect its future. It's important to understand what will change and what won’t before setting those boundaries.

Time to Catchup!

Design Mom • 786 implied HN points • 30 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Design
  1. Newsletter provides updates on personal and professional accomplishments.
  2. Includes news about family events and achievements.
  3. Shares insights on book releases, interviews, and travels.

⤴ The welcome tech-optimism of 'The Fantastic Four'

Faster, Please! • 365 implied HN points • 29 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Design
  1. The new 'Fantastic Four' movie brings back a hopeful vision of the future, filled with cool retro designs and tech innovations that reflect a better world. It combines aspects of classic architecture and sci-fi aesthetics, making the film feel nostalgic yet fresh.
  2. The film emphasizes a positive, problem-solving attitude towards big challenges, showing superheroes working together to find tech-based solutions instead of resorting to conflict. This approach highlights a belief in progress and innovation as ways to overcome obstacles.
  3. However, the movie might gloss over some darker themes, such as the risks of too much power being held by superheroes and their organizations. It raises questions about freedom and control in a seemingly perfect society, suggesting that there could be unintended consequences to such advancement.

A Deep Dive on the Most Radical Uniform in NFL History

Uni Watch • 766 implied HN points • 11 May 23
🎾 Sports Design
  1. The Denver Broncos' 1997 uniform redesign was highly controversial and viewed as a game-changer in NFL uniform design.
  2. Despite being a radical design, the Denver '97 uniform has had surprising longevity and is now one of the NFL's longest-serving uniform designs.
  3. While the Broncos' 1997 uniform set influenced the world of college football, it hasn't had a significant impact on NFL uniform design in the long run.

Make your social apps pop with LinkPresentation

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 874 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
🕹 Technology 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.

The Checkmate Move

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 479 implied HN points • 27 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Design
  1. Sam Altman is looking for talented people to challenge Apple, especially those who have worked on its products like the iPhone.
  2. He has teamed up with Jony Ive, a famous designer known for the iPhone, to work on a new AI hardware project.
  3. Altman's efforts show he's serious about competing in the tech scene and bringing fresh ideas to the market.

Be specific

escape the algorithm • 399 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Design
  1. Discover small, niche web tools and libraries that excel at specific tasks, adding personality and uniqueness to your internet experience.
  2. Embrace the simplicity and charm of single-purpose tools that focus on doing one thing well instead of trying to solve everything, celebrating their uniqueness and originality.
  3. Appreciate the creativity and value in combining and utilizing tiny tools and libraries rather than always seeking all-in-one solutions, fostering a culture of innovative use of existing resources.

2025 in Review

the shimmering void • 46 implied HN points • 01 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Design
  1. Hands-on experimentation with LLMs and custom tools drove progress, and tight feedback loops proved more valuable than following hype or consuming social media.
  2. I reconnected with creative roots by shipping a game while making 50+ prototypes, plus music and art experiments, to reclaim playfulness and escape productised game design.
  3. I shifted from breadth to depth by prioritising archival work and refactoring my thinking, and now plan to clarify a design philosophy, pursue more meaningful software, and treat art and meditation as serious practices.

The Spanish Visualization Diaspora: An Exhibition

Alberto Cairo's The Art of Insight • 199 implied HN points • 14 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Design
  1. Many Spanish infographic designers have moved to other countries since the 1990s, especially the USA, to find better opportunities. They often notice much better salaries and working conditions compared to Spain.
  2. Spanish designers are trained to be versatile, handling various tasks such as drawing, programming, and creating data visuals. This diverse skill set is attractive to employers abroad.
  3. Even though they face challenges when leaving their home country, many Spanish designers maintain a positive attitude and good humor about their work, making them well-liked in their new environments.

#146 Questioning the question

Design Lobster • 319 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Design
  1. Frame-storming can lead to more creative solutions by reframing the problem.
  2. Curiosity about simple questions like 'Why do burrs stick?' led to groundbreaking inventions like Velcro.
  3. Leaving room for mysteries and the unknown can enhance design and creativity.

What I read this week

🔮 Crafting Tech Teams • 79 implied HN points • 24 Jun 24
💼 Business Design
  1. Start with what's necessary, progress to what's possible, and soon you'll achieve the impossible.
  2. Success comes from overcoming challenges and facing obstacles head-on.
  3. Even when dealing with tough situations, find ways to keep inspired and make things enjoyable.

Vision

Sucks to Suck • 707 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Design
  1. Software designers should be eager for the success of new technologies like AR/VR for continued employment opportunities.
  2. Apple's new AR/VR headset, Vision, follows a historical pattern of product launches indicating a potential for success.
  3. An important consideration for the future of Vision is whether it will evolve to address hardware design, pricing, and human possibilities.

The end of scarcity

Kathy PM • 42 implied HN points • 09 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Design
  1. AI is making specialized craft and hard technical work much easier to access, so execution is no longer the main barrier to building things.
  2. Taste and discernment become the short-term advantage when execution is cheap, but those preferences are learnable and can harden into defaults that tools encode, turning taste into table stakes.
  3. Lasting leverage will come from judgment, accountability, and long-term ownership—being willing to explain, maintain, and take responsibility for what you ship after the novelty wears off.

no. 84: acts of cartography

let them eat cake • 199 implied HN points • 12 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Design
  1. The term 'umarell' is used to describe retirees who stop in the street to watch construction, often asking questions and offering unwanted advice.
  2. Building a restaurant involves acts of cartography, rewriting mental maps, and spending a significant amount of time on a construction site.
  3. Engaging in 'umarelling' - observing and learning on site - can provide valuable knowledge and a deeper understanding that goes beyond what blueprints can offer.

A portal to lost loot

Austin Kleon • 1998 implied HN points • 18 Nov 22
🎭️ Culture Design
  1. Learn to use brush pens for creative projects; they can add a nice touch to your art. You can find tips on how to mix colors for your own pens too.
  2. Making a mind map can help organize your thoughts and ideas clearly. It's a fun way to visualize what you are thinking.
  3. Sometimes, simple things like date stamps can bring joy and help keep memories organized. It's a neat tool for journaling or scrapbooking.

The Securicode Edition

Why is this interesting? • 422 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Design
  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.

Should everyone do everything now?

Anant’s Newsletter • 6 implied HN points • 22 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Design
  1. AI tools have made it easy to do credible work in neighboring roles, collapsing the old boundaries between engineering, design, and product.
  2. That ease creates a Dunning‑Kruger risk where people reach superficial competence and ship work that misses many subtle but important details and edge cases.
  3. The right response is to learn other disciplines deeply enough to know where your judgment ends, use AI to help but exercise restraint, and defer to specialized craft knowledge when needed.

The Monday Media Diet with Ayo Fagbemi

Why is this interesting? • 784 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Design
  1. Combining timely and timeless information is important for staying updated without being overwhelmed. It's good to pick what you consume thoughtfully rather than mindlessly scrolling.
  2. Listening to podcasts and reading books are great ways to learn. Choosing insightful content helps understand complex topics better, like AI and Crypto.
  3. Following your curiosity can lead to fun discoveries. Getting lost in interesting interviews and street-style content can open your mind to new perspectives.