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 Product Design Industrial Design Graphic design UI/UX Design Fashion & 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.

Elegant Solutions

David Friedman’s Substack • 404 implied HN points • 22 Dec 24
🪑 Design Product Design Industrial Design User Experience Graphic design Systems 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.

#141 Very superstitious

Design Lobster • 619 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
🪑 Design Visual Design Product Design User Experience Industrial Design Graphic 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.

#3 Industrial Design

Mountain Labs Newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 17 Apr 24
🪑 Design Industrial Design Product Development User Experience Prototyping
  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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#99 The gift of design

Design Lobster • 159 implied HN points • 20 Dec 21
🪑 Design Packaging Product Design Industrial Design Ceramics Gift Giving
  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 Product Design Industrial Design Brand identity
  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.

#34 When design makes us afraid

Design Lobster • 19 implied HN points • 21 Sep 20
🪑 Design Product Design Industrial Design Digital 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.