The hottest Graphic design Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics
Fireside Chat Logs β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 31 Oct 23
  1. The creator made a short animated video with heavy metal music for a D&D group that involved using Blender 3D program. Despite challenges, he managed to finish the video in time.
  2. After the initial creation, the creator took the time to improve the video by boosting render settings, animating textures, and enhancing particles, among other upgrades.
  3. The experience of revisiting and improving the video reminded the creator of his art school days, where he didn't always have time to polish his work. This inspired him to redo old school work and focus more on writing and creating content to share with friends and family.
FontDiscovery β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 27 Oct 23
  1. The featured font for the week is Alegreya, perfect for text-heavy projects like blogs and newsletters.
  2. Alegreya has multiple styles including serif and sans serif versions, making it versatile for various design projects.
  3. Alegreya is recommended for logos, branding, marketing graphics, and publishing projects due to its different weights and styles.
The Digital Native β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 01 Aug 23
  1. AI has a long history in pop culture and is currently experiencing a boom with new technologies like ChatGPT and AI-generated images.
  2. AI is impacting various industries like social media, graphic design, and music, but human creativity and expertise are still valued.
  3. Gen Z has mixed feelings about AI, with many believing it will enhance rather than replace their skills, but also expressing concerns about ethics and regulation.
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A Generalist newsletter β€’ 15 implied HN points β€’ 24 Jul 25
  1. It's important to identify the right problems to solve and focus on doing it better than anyone else. This can help you stand out in product development.
  2. Don't feel restricted by the standard design process. Sometimes you need to trust your instincts and create something unique, even if it means breaking the rules.
  3. If you're looking for a job or want to explore startups, the Y Combinator Startup Directory can show you who's hiring, especially in India.
Design Lobster β€’ 219 implied HN points β€’ 12 Apr 21
  1. The internet can be more progressive by not being limited to past patterns and by focusing on helping users progress rather than staying the same.
  2. Design can move forward by reimagining past elements, such as logos, to create new and innovative concepts.
  3. Creativity and action are key - the best response to dissatisfaction is to create something new and improved.
The faintest idea β€’ 2 HN points β€’ 30 Jun 24
  1. Don't rely too much on the design process. It can make you follow rules that might not lead to the best outcomes.
  2. Focusing too much on user research and processes can distract from actual design work. It's important to make something people will enjoy using.
  3. Embrace a flexible approach to design. Sometimes skipping steps or being messy can lead to better results and creativity.
Splattern β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 27 Sep 23
  1. Clear communication and a concise agenda improve meeting efficiency. It helps keep discussions on track and reduces confusion among team members.
  2. Maintaining calm and focus is important when facing tight deadlines. Asking the right questions and taking a moment to breathe can lead to more productive conversations.
  3. Building personal connections, like participating in eye gazing, can foster a sense of unity and support, enhancing emotional well-being.
A Good Interface β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 23 Aug 23
  1. White space is crucial in design, existing between elements to enhance clarity and organization.
  2. White space is not wasted space; it guides users, showcases important information, and brings a sense of calmness to interfaces.
  3. Effective use of white space improves user experience, leads users through logical grouping, focuses attention on key elements, and reflects a game's branding and tone of voice.
The Weekly Dish β€’ 31 implied HN points β€’ 16 Mar 24
  1. The View From Your Window contest engages sleuths in detective work to identify locations based on subtle clues like hillside letters or unique landmarks.
  2. The contest participants showed dedication by researching historical and geographical details to make informed guesses about the view in the photo.
  3. The diverse reactions from participants, from excitement to frustration, add an element of fun and camaraderie to the competition.
subtract β€’ 5 implied HN points β€’ 01 Jul 25
  1. Choosing the right typography is crucial for a book's design. A clear heading and body type can greatly impact readability and the overall feel of the book.
  2. Personal preferences can guide typography choices, especially for personal projects. It's okay to stick with what you love even if it's commonly used.
  3. Experimenting with different typefaces is key to finding the best fit. Pairing a grotesque type with a serif can create a nice contrast and enhance the visual appeal.
A Generalist newsletter β€’ 5 implied HN points β€’ 02 Jul 25
  1. The Vault is a space for designers to showcase their AI-powered tools and creations. It's like a community for sharing innovative apps built with design and AI.
  2. This initiative encourages designers to combine their skills with AI to create functional tools, not just beautiful designs. It's about doing both as the next step in design.
  3. Designers are invited to get involved by sharing their AI projects. The goal is to build a community that fosters creativity and collaboration in the design world.
A Bit Gamey β€’ 27 implied HN points β€’ 17 Mar 24
  1. Maximize the data-ink ratio by minimizing non-informative ink like excessive grid lines and decorations, to enhance clarity and comprehension.
  2. Align graphic components to create stronger organization and cohesion in design, ensuring nothing is placed arbitrarily.
  3. Utilize small multiples technique to present series of similar graphics or charts in a grid format, enabling easy comparison and revealing patterns within the dataset.
Jakob Nielsen on UX β€’ 7 implied HN points β€’ 26 Dec 24
  1. Images are becoming more important in UX design now that most people have fast internet. It’s okay to include bigger images to help communicate ideas.
  2. AI can really improve UX design by making processes easier and more efficient. It’s being used to help with everything from diagnosis in healthcare to UI design.
  3. There are too many annoying cookie pop-ups on websites that waste users' time. Instead of punishing sites for minor issues, we should focus on real problems that affect privacy.
Tecnica β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 28 Jul 24
  1. Dithering is a technique used in digital images to make them look better with fewer colors. By mixing colors, it tricks our eyes into seeing more depth and detail.
  2. True-color images have over 16 million colors, but most images only need around 256 colors. Using a smaller palette can save space without losing too much quality.
  3. Old computer systems used 'dither' to improve calculations, and similar methods in image processing help create better images even with limited color choices. This shows how clever techniques can enhance user experiences with less.
Thomas’s Thoughts β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 01 May 23
  1. The author worked on a website called "Interactive Stitch", where users could design and purchase custom tee shirts.
  2. The project faced challenges like needing a business ID for taxes and printer malfunctions.
  3. Despite setbacks, the author sees potential in expanding the idea to other products and is open to collaborations or suggestions.
Elizabeth Laraki β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 22 Nov 23
  1. The newsletter will include design insights and practical tips from the author's experience in major tech companies.
  2. Content will touch on various topics, including stories and advice about design, crypto, and AI.
  3. The author plans to send newsletters periodically, focusing on quality over frequency, and welcomes feedback for future topics.
VERY GOOD PRODUCTIZED GUIDES β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 18 Jun 24
  1. It's important to hire based on shared values and character, not just skills. People can learn skills, but their attitude and fit with your team are crucial.
  2. Ask candidates about their life goals and mindset. Understanding what drives them helps ensure they align with your company's vision and culture.
  3. Communication is key in a design role. Look for designers who listen well and empathize with clients, as it leads to better designs and relationships.
Design is Love β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 29 Aug 22
  1. Design is a form of love and expression. It allows us to show how we feel and what we care about.
  2. We have the ability to redesign everything around us. This power to create unique things comes from within us.
  3. It's important to follow our own vision and not let society dictate our choices. We should focus on doing what we truly love.
A Better Designed World β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 22 Oct 24
  1. Portfolios should act like sales pitches, showing off your best work first. Starting with the end results captures attention, instead of leading with process details.
  2. Using the inverted pyramid approach means telling a clear story of who you worked with, what you accomplished, and why it matters. This way, people can easily understand your impact.
  3. Focus on marketing yourself effectively. It's about showing potential employers what makes you valuable, rather than getting lost in the details of your process.
Multimodal by Bakz T. Future β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 17 Feb 25
  1. Craft, style, and concept are the three key elements in poster design. A strong concept can make a design work even if the craft and style aren't perfect.
  2. It’s important to integrate fonts and lettering early in the design process for better composition. This helps to avoid fonts feeling like an afterthought in the final piece.
  3. Using colors other than black can create more interesting designs. Dark blues or purples can add depth, making the artwork stand out more.