The hottest Design Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

A Deep Dive on the Most Radical Uniform in NFL History

Uni Watch • 766 implied HN points • 11 May 23
🎾 Sports Uniforms NFL Design Fashion
  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.

A hunger striker's medal, a Danish love token, and Hello Kitty

Dearest • 766 implied HN points • 21 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration History Jewelry Auctions Collectibles Design
  1. A hunger striker's medal awarded to a suffragette for her efforts in the campaign for women's right to vote
  2. A Danish love token called a hovedvandsæg given by men to their beloveds in the 18th and 19th centuries
  3. Hello Kitty jewelry collection created by Mikimoto and Sanrio, featuring pieces like a pearl necklace with a Hello Kitty face design

The Retail Piggybacking Edition

Why is this interesting? • 723 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Fashion Retail Brand Design Art
  1. Sir Paul Smith discovered Aesop deodorant during his travels and appreciates the brand's growth near his stores, showing a positive outlook on retail piggybacking.
  2. Collaboration between stores serving the same customer base can create a positive synergy benefiting all, contrary to a strategy of spiteful competition.
  3. Over-association with another brand can potentially impact the image and story of an independent brand negatively, as seen in Aesop's evolution and potential risks for Sir Paul Smith's brand.

The Checkmate Move

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 479 implied HN points • 27 Dec 23
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Design Hardware Corporate strategy
  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.
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Be specific

escape the algorithm • 399 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Web Tools Internet culture Design Programming
  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.

The Spanish Visualization Diaspora: An Exhibition

Alberto Cairo's The Art of Insight • 199 implied HN points • 14 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Design Exhibitions Infographics Cultural Journalism
  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.

Vision

Sucks to Suck • 707 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Hardware Augmented reality Design Marketing Future Technology
  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.

no. 84: acts of cartography

let them eat cake • 199 implied HN points • 12 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Creative work Visual art Storytelling Craftsmanship 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 Art Literature Food Design Education
  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 Art of Animated Titles

Animation Obsessive • 986 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Design
  1. The post discusses the art of animated titles during the mid-century era, particularly focusing on the animated movie titles of that time.
  2. The newsletter references Saul Bass's title sequence for Bonjour Tristesse (1958) and how it inspired elements seen in modern films like Pixar's The Incredibles.
  3. There's an invitation to subscribe to the Animation Obsessive newsletter for a 7-day free trial to access more content on animated titles and their history.

Can Machines Slip on Banana Peels?

Breaking Smart • 79 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Robotics Design Engineering Systems
  1. It's funny when a self-important person slips on a banana peel because it shows their dignity being challenged. This humor comes from seeing someone with high self-esteem face an embarrassing moment.
  2. Machines can also have moments of failure, just like people. They slip up when their design looks seamless but actually has hidden flaws, similar to someone who overestimates their own abilities.
  3. Understanding the 'Contraption Factor' helps us analyze why machines fail. It shows a difference between how complex something is and how well it's designed, which can lead to unexpected problems.

Captain Obvious: a personal essay

Design Lobster • 579 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing Design Creativity Advertising Psychology
  1. Obviousness in writing can be seen negatively for lacking depth but celebrated in design for clarity and ease of use.
  2. Good writing avoids clichés and offers fresh perspectives, while good design balances between obviousness and experience for effective outcomes.
  3. Finding the right level of obviousness in design is crucial based on the project's focus on creating an experience or an outcome.

The Rimowa Edition

Why is this interesting? • 1568 implied HN points • 23 May 23
🎭️ Culture Design Fashion
  1. Rimowa highlights the value of imperfections in their luggage as storytelling elements.
  2. Rimowa educates new consumers to appreciate scratches and dents as part of the luggage's charm.
  3. Marketing by Rimowa emphasizes a lifetime of memories associated with their luggage, promoting emotional connections.

Needs more Flair

Austin Kleon • 1358 implied HN points • 24 Jan 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Illustration Design Creativity Writing Tools
  1. The Paper Mate Flair pen is great for writing, especially in notebooks. Many people love how it writes smoothly and that it doesn't bleed through the pages.
  2. Using the Flair pen can be a bit tricky as it's water-based ink, which can fade if washed. Some people prefer more permanent inks after experiencing this.
  3. Despite past issues, the Flair pen is making a comeback in some people's writing routines because of its unique feel and style. It's fun to use and can bring creativity to note-taking.

Whatever happened

Austin Kleon • 1938 implied HN points • 16 Sep 22
🎭️ Culture Books Art Music Film Design
  1. Nostalgia can be comforting, so it's okay to revisit old books and memories when things get tough.
  2. It's fun to discover new and interesting art and media, like books and podcasts, that bring inspiration and joy.
  3. Sharing experiences and recommendations can help build community and keep creativity flowing.

#148 Music to my eyes

Design Lobster • 179 implied HN points • 01 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Music Design Graphic design
  1. Music visualisation dates back to as early as the 18th century with instruments like the Ocular Harpsichord by Lousi Bertrand Castel in 1725.
  2. The iconic album cover for Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon teaches the power of condensing design into a single, impactful image.
  3. Designers can blend different senses creatively in their designs, like how music visualisation fuses sound and visuals in surprising ways.

You can help me escape

Austin Kleon • 1878 implied HN points • 23 Sep 22
🎭️ Culture Literature Music Art Film Design
  1. It's a good time to enjoy the changing seasons and reflect on seasonal thinking. Fall brings an opportunity to re-evaluate our daily routines.
  2. Finding the right book can be a generous escape, as they can draw readers in so deeply that they want to stay up late reading.
  3. Embracing imperfection is important for creativity. It’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them instead of striving for perfection.

🤯 10 surprising ideas about design

Design Lobster • 519 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Design Creativity Inspiration Storytelling Aesthetics
  1. In design, being obvious can be a compliment. It requires a creative mindset to see things as they truly are and eliminate the unnecessary.
  2. Design that makes people look good resonates more. A little flattery in design can go a long way in enhancing user experience.
  3. Embracing bad ideas in the design process can lead to wider exploration and better solutions. It's about challenging assumptions and sparking fresh ideas.

Designer Anxiety

RPG Design Theories • 530 implied HN points • 12 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Design
  1. New designers often feel anxious about not living up to the standards set by previous designers.
  2. Instead of blindly following existing formats, designers should focus on creating fresh, innovative ideas.
  3. Designers should strive to produce work that is truly new and exciting, rather than simply replicating what has been done before.

22 questions with a designer: Hugo Cornejo

Design Lobster • 379 implied HN points • 04 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Design
  1. Hugo Cornejo designs digital products and follows universal design principles from small items to large projects.
  2. He reflects on the tradeoffs in design decisions, emphasizing the importance of understanding and communicating tradeoffs in the design process.
  3. Cornejo expresses optimism in design, sees it as an exercise in believing in the future, and enjoys relaxing with activities like playing tennis and watching his wife work.

Energy in the gap

Austin Kleon • 1578 implied HN points • 11 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Creativity Art Literature Philosophy Design
  1. Creative tension is the gap between what you create and what you wish to create. It's common for beginners to feel disappointed because their work doesn't match their high standards.
  2. Everyone starts somewhere, and it's important to push through the awkward early stages of creativity. Many people give up here, but sticking with it is key to improvement.
  3. Reading and learning from others can help process your own creative thoughts. Books often show us that our ideas are not as original as we think.

Rabbit Holes 🕳️ #101

Creative Destruction • 28 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Society Technology Inequality Urban planning Design
  1. Our culture often encourages constant consumption instead of creative thinking. This focus on consuming information can limit our ability to produce and solve problems.
  2. We have created a divide between age groups, leading to 'age apartheid.' This separation makes society more isolated and misses opportunities for different generations to connect and support each other.
  3. The trend towards 'cozy tech' might feel comforting, but it can also promote isolation. Instead of fostering genuine connections, it encourages us to retreat into our own comfortable spaces.

A war on Stuff

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 319 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Minimalism Consumerism Psychology Aging Design
  1. Stuff can pile up because we think it might be useful later, but most of it just makes life messy and stressful. It's easy to lose track of things when we have too much stored away.
  2. Things are cheap and easy to buy nowadays, leading to lots of excess stuff that often isn’t worth keeping. This leads to clutter that can cause problems if it gets out of hand.
  3. To manage stuff better, we need to be proactive about it. This means designing our spaces and habits to prevent clutter from building up in the first place.

A typology of the social media feed

12challenges • 514 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Social media Design AI
  1. Social media feeds have evolved towards a TikTok model, focusing on varied content over personal connections.
  2. The design aspects like full-screen, infinite scroll, and autoplay play a significant role in the success of the social media feed model.
  3. Analyzing the evolution of social media through a typology can help understand past shifts and predict future trends, like the influence of AI.

be my (tired, aging) valentine?

Both Are True • 484 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🍲 Food & Drink Holiday Design Aging
  1. Consider creating unique, age-appropriate gifts for the over-30 crowd during holidays like Valentine's Day.
  2. Traditional candies and gestures may not be as fitting for individuals in long-term relationships or older demographics.
  3. Personalizing gifts and celebrations based on age and life stage can make occasions more special and meaningful.

The worlds inside us: a personal essay

Design Lobster • 419 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Imagination Design Creativity Inspiration
  1. Nurturing imagination and inner sight is important for personal growth and creative processes.
  2. Society often undervalues the role of imagination in design, but it is a fundamental aspect of creating something meaningful.
  3. Disappointment can be a result of high imagination, but it should not deter one's commitment to nurturing the wonders of the mind's eye.

Polarization and social media : how it works and what we can fix

techandsocialcohesion • 199 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Social media Algorithm Design Tech governance Peacebuilding
  1. Companies on social media make money when users stay longer, often through engaging and polarizing content.
  2. Algorithmic extremism on social media rewards and amplifies extremist content, resulting in more polarization in conversations.
  3. Promoting pro-social design governance and tools on social media can help build cohesion, encourage understanding, and bring out the best in humanity.

off to the printers!!

vrk loves paper • 139 implied HN points • 03 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Design Illustration Publishing Marketing Stationery
  1. The first issue of Pouch magazine is ready for printing. It has 50 pages packed with content for stationery lovers and journalers.
  2. A new cover design was created to better represent what Pouch is about. It now clearly targets a specific audience and reflects the magazine's fun vibe.
  3. The creator is taking time to develop Pouch carefully, treating the first issue as a pilot study to gauge interest and improve their skills in print design.