The hottest Industrial Design Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Design Topics

Earlywood: Making Things Hard/Easy

The American Peasant • 1796 implied HN points • 12 Oct 24
🪑 Design Industrial Design
  1. The balance between making tasks hard or easy can impact productivity. If a task is too hard, people may give up, but if it's too easy, they might lose interest.
  2. Finding the right level of challenge can help improve skills and keep people engaged. It's important to push yourself just enough without overwhelming yourself.
  3. Understanding how to adjust difficulty levels can lead to better learning experiences. When tasks are balanced, it encourages growth and motivation.

The Dinky Toy Edition

Why is this interesting? • 422 implied HN points • 13 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Industrial Design
  1. Dinky Toys were die‑cast zinc‑alloy miniatures first made in 1934 that stood out for their faithful details, moving parts, and durable design.
  2. They recreated the real vehicles and brands people saw every day, so the models reflected automotive trends, wartime patriotism, and post‑war consumer culture.
  3. Created by Frank Hornby’s Meccano company, Dinkys helped spur a middle‑class collecting craze; production paused during WWII, the Liverpool factory later closed, and the brand is now owned by Matchbox/Mattel with early models still selling at auction.

#141 Very superstitious

Design Lobster • 619 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
🪑 Design Industrial Design
  1. Designers are superstitious about alignment because it signals care and attention to detail in the design process.
  2. Small design choices, like the shape of an iron fish, can have a big impact on user behavior and address practical issues, like iron deficiency.
  3. Designing for human beings is not a formula - the most effective designs often emerge from understanding human behavior, even if it seems irrational.

Elegant Solutions

David Friedman’s Substack • 404 implied HN points • 22 Dec 24
🪑 Design Industrial Design
  1. Using both words and numbers when writing a check helps reduce mistakes, making it much harder to misread the amount. It's a clever way to prevent errors and fraud.
  2. The design of everyday items, like rubber spatulas and manhole covers, often has simple solutions to practical problems. These designs make them more useful in various situations.
  3. When faced with a decision or a problem, looking for the simplest and most practical solution is key. Sometimes, the best way to find a solution is to observe how things are naturally done.

#3 Industrial Design

Mountain Labs Newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 17 Apr 24
🪑 Design Industrial Design
  1. When developing a hardware product, focus on three key areas: energy, communication, and form factor. Energy determines if your device runs on batteries or needs to be plugged in.
  2. For B2B products, start with communication needs since they often integrate with other systems. But for B2C products, prioritize the look and feel of the device first.
  3. Always check the costs and manufacturability of your components. If it’s too expensive or hard to make, revisit your choices before moving forward with the design.
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#112 Electric dreams

Design Lobster • 299 implied HN points • 27 Jun 22
🪑 Design Industrial Design
  1. Filament bulbs that look vintage actually use modern LED technology for efficiency and style.
  2. Design choices can communicate ideas and values effectively through appearance.
  3. The design process is inherently optimistic and oriented towards solving problems.

Ten principles of good design

A Bit Gamey • 33 implied HN points • 22 Jun 25
🪑 Design Industrial Design
  1. Good design should be simple and focus on what's really important. Less is more when it comes to creating functional products.
  2. A product must be useful, attractive, and easy to understand. If a product fails to meet these needs, it won't be successful.
  3. Sustainable design is vital, as it helps protect the environment and creates lasting products that avoid trends and fads.

#99 The gift of design

Design Lobster • 159 implied HN points • 20 Dec 21
🪑 Design Industrial Design
  1. Unboxing moments can hold as much excitement as the actual product itself. Adding drama to design reveals can enhance consumer anticipation.
  2. Nutcrackers have a rich history dating back to prehistoric times, evolving into complex, colorful contraptions with unique designs. Bringing personality to designs can make them more engaging.
  3. Designing with the intention of gifting creates a sense of generosity and care in the design process. Viewing design as a gift to others can add a special touch to the creation.

#69 Keep going!

Design Lobster • 219 implied HN points • 24 May 21
🪑 Design Industrial Design
  1. Bubble Wrap was originally created as textured wallpaper, but found success in protecting items during shipping.
  2. Keeping an eye on the surrounding environment could lead to valuable design connections that aren't immediately obvious.
  3. Redefining a brand through a new design, like the Land Rover Series I, can lead to unexpected success and longevity.

Two Little Contraptions

Breaking Smart • 18 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🪑 Design Industrial Design
  1. There are two types of contraptions discussed: one is a physical item and the other is an idea.
  2. The physical contraption is a mood indicator dial that likely helps people understand their emotions better.
  3. The conceptual contraption may represent a way to think about situations or problems in a new light.

#34 When design makes us afraid

Design Lobster • 19 implied HN points • 21 Sep 20
🪑 Design Industrial Design
  1. Design can intentionally evoke fear or other emotions to engage users or visitors, like the Hongyagu bridge engineered to wobble and create unease.
  2. Design is evolving to provide entertainment value beyond just functionality, with emotional journeys becoming a key aspect in various fields.
  3. Design should prioritize human behavior over technological convenience, as highlighted by Stewart Brand's quote advocating for human-centered design.