The hottest Design Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics
Design Lobster 459 implied HN points 29 May 23
  1. Collect things you love for inspiration in design, things that move you in some way can guide your work.
  2. Understand user intent in design, like the predictive text technology T9 that quickly works out what users intend to say.
  3. Balance familiarity with surprise in design to create products that are both comprehensible and innovative.
The Charlotte Ledger 235 implied HN points 22 Jan 24
  1. An exhibit called 'Craft Across Continents' at the Mint Museum showcases whimsical art pieces that evoke fun and creativity.
  2. Mecklenburg County experienced a 20% decrease in home sales in 2023, possibly due to high mortgage rates.
  3. A new daily podcast called CLT1st has launched in Charlotte, offering a quick way to stay informed about local news and events.
Design Lobster 419 implied HN points 04 Sep 23
  1. Toilet paper embossed with patterns is not just for aesthetics; it increases surface area for better grip and functionality.
  2. Patterns in design can convey stories and emotions without using words, adding depth and visual appeal.
  3. The right pattern can add value and uniqueness to a product, like the legal case involving a mathematician's copyrighted pattern on toilet paper.
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UX Psychology 178 implied HN points 23 Feb 24
  1. The curse of knowledge is a cognitive bias where experts find it hard to imagine not knowing what they know, this can impact different fields, including UX.
  2. Cognitive biases like the curse of knowledge stem from how our brains process and remember information, leading to errors in thinking and decision-making.
  3. To overcome the curse of knowledge, involve users in the design process, seek feedback from colleagues, and communicate in plain language to ensure better collaboration and user experience.
Computer Ads from the Past 384 implied HN points 04 Mar 24
  1. Peter Quinn was involved in the design of Apple IIe from the beginning, starting with a plan to enhance the keyboard and provide 80 columns, which led to the idea of expanding the memory to 128K.
  2. The development of Apple IIc was intertwined with the IIe project. The decision to create a more focused product led to the IIc design, which included built-in peripherals like a mouse port and two serial ports.
  3. Design challenges for the compact Apple IIc included managing heat and radiation effectively, with unique solutions like intricate venting schemes and careful layout of components to meet corporate specifications.
UX Psychology 218 implied HN points 19 Jan 24
  1. Understanding user mood is crucial in user experience design as it influences interactions over time.
  2. Moods can be monitored, expressed, and regulated in UX design to create more personalized and empathetic experiences.
  3. Implementing mood-focused strategies requires considering ethical challenges, personalization opportunities, and continuous testing.
Sunday Letters 219 implied HN points 15 Jan 24
  1. Engineers can have many interests and skills, not just coding, which makes them versatile. It's okay to be like a 'paladin' who does many things well, even if it takes longer to master everything.
  2. Balancing different skills means you might not be the best in just one area, but you can excel in roles that need different perspectives, which is valuable.
  3. It's important to clearly define how you see yourself and communicate that to others. Having a simple and grounded story helps people understand your unique blend of skills.
Austin Kleon 1958 implied HN points 25 Feb 22
  1. A simple notebook exercise can help reduce anxiety and make you feel a bit better. It's a small step to calm the mind.
  2. Listening to Mel Brooks' memoir is not just funny; it feels sweet and comforting. It's like connecting with family through his stories.
  3. Pre-ordering the special edition of 'Steal Like an Artist' is a great way to support and celebrate its 10th anniversary, plus you'll get a signed copy!
Fragmentary 353 implied HN points 13 Jun 23
  1. Typography is important and can reveal a lot about a person.
  2. Different materials and mediums can impact the styling and design of typography.
  3. Typography can have a significant impact on readability and accessibility, particularly for individuals with dyslexia.
Design Lobster 339 implied HN points 02 Oct 23
  1. Japanese manhole covers are beautifully designed with regional variations to tell local stories, sparking the phenomenon of "drainspotting."
  2. The Monobloc chair, mass-produced from plastic since the 70s, is both recognizable yet nondescript, symbolizing consumerism and plastic pollution.
  3. Design can become ubiquitous through accessibility and impact on low-income families, challenging perceptions of ecological impact.
High Growth Engineer 307 implied HN points 17 Mar 24
  1. Consider the level of detail in crits based on the feedback needed for effective decision-making.
  2. Structure crit meetings with clear expectations, silent reviewing periods, and follow-up synchronous discussions.
  3. Approach feedback in crits by giving and receiving early, focusing on empowering team confidence, and maintaining a positive, collaborative culture.
UX Psychology 238 implied HN points 08 Dec 23
  1. First impressions are crucial in UX and can influence user engagement throughout their interaction with an interface.
  2. Traditional 'five-second tests' in UX may not account for variations in users' cognitive abilities and the complexity of visual designs.
  3. To enhance UX design, consider customizing testing based on cognitive abilities, evaluating visual complexity, and rethinking the standard 'five-second rule.'
vrk loves paper 239 implied HN points 07 Dec 23
  1. Taking art classes, like figure drawing, can significantly improve your skills and understanding of art. It's great to learn techniques hands-on with a teacher guiding you.
  2. Making zines can be a fun and creative way to express yourself. It's exciting to see your work shared and sold in stores, making it feel more official.
  3. Exploring new hobbies, like origami or paper crafts, can be a fun and fulfilling way to spend your time. It helps with relaxation and creativity, especially during festive seasons.
🔮 Crafting Tech Teams 79 implied HN points 24 Apr 24
  1. The past year involved successful podcast testing, mentoring, and community building in the engineering field.
  2. Balancing multiple content creation channels and refining strategies was essential for sustained growth in the coaching and content business.
  3. Feedback from surveys and direct interactions highlighted the importance of clear design, diversified content, and fostering a supportive learning environment in the coaching and content creation journey.
Austin Kleon 1159 implied HN points 12 Aug 22
  1. Museums can go paperless, which makes us think about the importance of both fossil records and how we document our lives.
  2. Trilobites are fascinating creatures, and there's a lot we can learn from their history and the work of scientists like Richard Fortey.
  3. Sometimes, dreaming of a simple life, like living on an island, can inspire us to appreciate art and literature more deeply.
Expanding Dan 314 implied HN points 17 Feb 23
  1. Patti Mitsui was instrumental in creating the iconic cover design of Steely Dan's 1977 album Aja.
  2. Mitsui, along with Oz Studios, added the striking red calligraphic letters to the cover, complementing the photo of Sayoko Yamaguchi.
  3. Despite her significant contribution, Mitsui remains relatively unknown among Steely Dan fans and has worked in public relations for decades.
Offline: dating that works 39 implied HN points 18 Jun 24
  1. The team is crowdfunding $5K for design to improve their product, starting with a minimum viable design and then progressing to marketing and user recruitment efforts.
  2. They are seeking support through financial pledges, volunteer resources, spreading the word, and connecting with potential users for research interviews.
  3. The project aims to evolve from a demo site to a consumer-ready product through iterative funding rounds and community engagement.
The Commonplace 809 implied HN points 12 Jun 23
  1. Pylons have left a significant mark on the modern world and landscape.
  2. The countryside before pylons represented a timelessness and deep continuity that has been altered by progress.
  3. There is a complexity in the impact of technological advancements, with every step forward carrying consequences.
Design Lobster 239 implied HN points 27 Nov 23
  1. Design quality can encompass an intangible 'quality without a name' that includes aspects like wholeness, humaneness, and timelessness.
  2. Ordinary elements in design can be elevated to almost art-like status through thoughtful design decisions.
  3. Focusing on delivering high-quality products can drive user engagement, positive experiences, and growth for a business.
On Looking 79 implied HN points 19 Apr 24
  1. Season 2 of the research will focus on exploring the perspectives of designers, art directors, editors, and production managers in the creative industry.
  2. The research involves conducting in-person interviews as well as observations within magazines, design studios, and advertising agencies in New York to understand how creative professionals work and make decisions.
  3. The researcher is seeking New York-based creatives to participate in the study, emphasizing the importance of observations in workspaces to gather insights for the research.
ppdispatch 2 implied HN points 23 May 25
  1. ACE-Step can create music 15 times faster than before, letting you generate tunes in 19 languages. You have control over the voice, lyrics, and instruments, making it super flexible.
  2. VACE-14B allows you to edit videos easily using text or images, so you can swap, move, or edit anything you want in your videos.
  3. Instant Character helps you create stories using a single image to keep your characters consistent across different scenes, perfect for creative projects.
Technically Optimistic 59 implied HN points 13 May 24
  1. Use the right technology for the task to ensure accurate and helpful information is provided, like in the case of developing an AI assistant for legal asylum application support.
  2. Focus on a narrow problem space to avoid generating incorrect outcomes, and involve authorized users in the technology to build trust through genuine partnerships.
  3. Bring in human validation to improve AI responses, prioritize data privacy in sensitive fields like legal assistance, and aim for developing human-centered programs for wider benefit.
Unbox Inbox 198 implied HN points 19 Dec 23
  1. The post discusses the art of gift wrapping, showcasing unique and creative wrapping paper designs suitable for all occasions.
  2. The author shares the best books they read in the year, highlighting diverse genres and providing personal insights and recommendations.
  3. The post includes a festive section with various holiday-related inspirations, from Austrian holiday cards to peppermint bark chocolate bars, contributing to the holiday spirit.
Londonist: Time Machine 259 implied HN points 02 Aug 23
  1. London street furniture like phone boxes and bollards can hold infinite surprises and creativity, from book-swaps to woolen decorations.
  2. Interesting initiatives like converting phone boxes into unique shops and decorating post boxes showcase the creativity in London's streets.
  3. Even seemingly mundane objects like bollards have gained online popularity and inspired products like bollard-themed tea towels.
12challenges 257 implied HN points 01 Mar 24
  1. The diagram shows how much social media has changed over the last 20 years, with a shift towards platforms like TikTok.
  2. The idea of using the diagram as a menu to choose preferred social media options is intriguing, revealing possible disparities in usage.
  3. The author seeks suggestions to improve the diagram's presentation and structure, anticipating future articles about social media platforms.