The hottest Product Design Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

I don’t know anyone using InVision Studio, and that’s too bad

Better After a Nap β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 11 Jan 24
πŸ•Ή Technology Product Design User Experience Software Tools Product Strategy Competition
  1. An MVP needs to offer a key differentiator or a promise of one soon to make an impact in a competitive market.
  2. Meet the specific needs of your core user base swiftly and effectively to stay ahead of the competition.
  3. Maintain a laser focus on your core business, listen to user feedback, and avoid overhyping your product to build trust and loyalty.

#99 The gift of design

Design Lobster β€’ 159 implied HN points β€’ 20 Dec 21
πŸͺ‘ 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 β€’ 219 implied HN points β€’ 24 May 21
πŸͺ‘ 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.

The rainbow of disgust and joy

Sunday Letters β€’ 119 implied HN points β€’ 15 May 22
πŸ•Ή Technology Software Development Coding Project management Product Design
  1. When working on code, it's common to feel frustrated with the design. It's important to remember that things often need to move quickly to stay competitive.
  2. Finding a balance between speed and maintaining good code is key. Being too perfect can be as problematic as moving too fast.
  3. Emotions about your code can help gauge your progress. Being slightly embarrassed yet moving fast usually leads to better outcomes.

#84 Deeply average

Design Lobster β€’ 159 implied HN points β€’ 06 Sep 21
πŸͺ‘ Design Product Design User Experience Quotes
  1. Designing for the average can be dangerous as the 'average' user might not actually exist, leading to flawed design choices.
  2. Questioning who the average user is can lead to innovative design solutions that challenge normalized assumptions.
  3. Design is not about finding one right answer, but about exploring a multitude of solutions, with some being more suitable than others.
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#88 Go reconfigure

Design Lobster β€’ 119 implied HN points β€’ 04 Oct 21
πŸͺ‘ Design UX Philosophy Product Design History
  1. Designs are becoming more personalized, like Google's Material You design language that adapts system colors based on the user's wallpaper choice.
  2. Designers may need to embrace flexibility to allow users to contribute to the end result, as seen in the unique design approach of Material You.
  3. Creating a delightful user experience involves making the process of configuring designs enjoyable, like the adjustable Tizio lamp designed by Richard Sapper.

Don't trust the (design) process

The faintest idea β€’ 2 HN points β€’ 30 Jun 24
πŸͺ‘ Design Graphic design User Experience Product Design
  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.

Finalizing design and eye gazing

Splattern β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 27 Sep 23
πŸͺ‘ Design Graphic design User Experience Product Design Team Collaboration
  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.

Finding your niche in the startup industry[Story Time Saturday]

Technology Made Simple β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 01 May 22
πŸ•Ή Technology Product Design Decision-making Software Development Competition Innovation
  1. Develop products that stand out from the competition by focusing on unique features or solutions.
  2. Find a balance between high performance through focus and scalability by considering factors like resources and challenges.
  3. When deciding between powerful but expensive techniques and simple, inexpensive options, weigh the benefits of each to make an informed choice.

Goal versus Process

Sunday Letters β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 02 Oct 22
πŸ’Ό Business Management Strategy Product Design Development User Experience
  1. Focusing on goals helps teams and users create better outcomes. It's important to understand what problem we're solving instead of just following a strict process.
  2. Being adaptable is key. Just like driving, we can make adjustments along the way, which leads to a more effective journey toward our goals.
  3. Users care more about reaching their goals quickly than about the steps involved. Designing with their goals in mind makes them happier and more productive.

#50 Can we make social media kinder?

Design Lobster β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 11 Jan 21
πŸͺ‘ Design Social media Product Design User Experience Technology
  1. Designing social media for kindness involves features like allowing users to easily admit mistakes, offer apologies, and forgive one another.
  2. Emphasize on usability and functionality in design processes to avoid overlooking critical issues, like the interference problems faced by the 1930's Radio Nurse baby monitor.
  3. Focus on how people use a designed product rather than just its appearance, as prioritizing usability can prevent unintended consequences and improve overall user experience.

#49 Why is your design going nowhere?

Design Lobster β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 04 Jan 21
πŸͺ‘ Design Product Design Design Philosophy
  1. Design work can be held back by the organizational structure of a company - consider what parts of your organization might be hindering your design progress.
  2. Drawing inspiration from personal memories and experiences can bring character and charm to design work.
  3. Design is not just about creating objects, but also about embodying values like doing the right thing - it symbolizes civilization and progress.

#45 Birth, redesigned

Design Lobster β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 07 Dec 20
πŸͺ‘ Design Product Design
  1. Living in the moment can be encouraged through design, like the Dispo app's unique approach to photo-taking.
  2. Design can challenge cultural assumptions and prioritize user needs, like the reBIRTH Birthing tool designed to make birthing more comfortable globally.
  3. For companies today, product design is crucial for success and differentiation from competitors, as stated by Peter Levine from Andreessen Horowitz.

Should User Interviews be Influenced by the Founder's Point of View on the Problem?

Build Startup In Public β€’ 4 HN points β€’ 16 Jul 24
πŸ’Ό Business Product Design User Research Entrepreneurship Market Analysis Stakeholder engagement
  1. When talking to users, keep an open mind and avoid pushing your own ideas. It's important to listen and discover unexpected insights from their experiences.
  2. Don't just talk to the end users; include stakeholders and decision makers too. Their perspectives can reveal hidden challenges and needs that could affect your product's success.
  3. Understand the context where your users operate. Observing them in their natural environment can help you learn about their behaviors and needs, leading to better product design.

WTF- A short comic strip analysis

Turnaround β€’ 98 implied HN points β€’ 09 May 20
πŸͺ‘ Design UI/UX Web Design Product Design Tech stack
  1. Browsers are getting more powerful, so make sure your product/app embraces this shift towards client-driven applications with fast startup times.
  2. Simplify design by making buttons more prominent, reducing text, and ensuring users intuitively know how to interact without needing explanations.
  3. Prepare for the future of faster speeds with 5G connectivity - speed will be a critical factor in user experience going forward.

Repair-Off: 10 Month Old Fitness Tracker vs. 55 Year-Old Radio

Fight to Repair β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 14 Sep 21
πŸ•Ή Technology Repair E-Waste Right-to-repair Manufacturers Product Design
  1. Repair culture for old devices like radios involves accessible resources and manuals for DIY repairs, fostering sustainability and useful life extension.
  2. Modern electronics like FitBits often lack repair options, leading to replacement rather than fixing and contributing to e-waste accumulation.
  3. A right to repair law could empower consumers with access to schematics and parts to preserve electronics, but also necessitates a shift in manufacturer practices towards designing repairable products.

When Freemium Succeeds

Platform Papers β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 15 Sep 22
πŸ’Ό Business Digital Products Product Design Market Strategies
  1. Freemium products can fail to attract users and revenue, but when they succeed, they can become superstars with high engagement and in-app purchases.
  2. Incorporating social features into freemium products can be a double-edged sword, as they enhance value with a large user base but may backfire with smaller user bases.
  3. The success of freemium products with social features is heavily influenced by the size of the platform's installed user base, impacting demand potential and user engagement.

How to get your first 1000 users

A Generalist newsletter β€’ 11 implied HN points β€’ 14 Mar 24
πŸ’Ό Business Marketing Entrepreneurship Product Design Content creation
  1. Getting your first 1000 users is crucial for a startup's success. It can set the foundation for growth and sustainability.
  2. Telling a story in your design portfolio can help you engage with interviewers and make your work memorable.
  3. Rest is important for creativity and sustainability. Consuming less noisy information can lead to a more productive and fulfilling life.

Beware programmer traps!

Sunday Letters β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 21 Nov 21
πŸ•Ή Technology Software Development User Experience Programming Web Development Product Design
  1. It's hard for people in tech to explain ideas to non-technical folks. What seems clear to a programmer can be confusing to others.
  2. Designing products based on complex models can lead to failure if they don’t connect with everyday users. Sometimes, simpler products that reflect real user needs work better.
  3. Being aware of different perspectives is key. User testing helps ensure ideas make sense to everyone, not just those with technical backgrounds.

#38: Agathonicity

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 22 Jul 20
πŸͺ‘ Design Product Design User Experience Sustainability Innovation
  1. Agathonicity means some things get better with use. For example, your favorite pair of worn-in shoes or a well-loved book can provide a richer experience over time.
  2. Many modern products are designed to be thrown away instead of repaired. This throwaway culture makes us less likely to seek out items that improve with age and care.
  3. Designers can create products that require more from users, leading to a stronger, more loyal connection. By asking users to engage more, items can become more valuable and enjoyable over time.

10 Million Users And Rising Fast: Sri Mandir's Quest To Put A Temple In Every Phone

Tigerfeathers! β€’ 15 implied HN points β€’ 09 Mar 23
πŸ•Ή Technology Startups Mobile Apps Entrepreneurship Product Design User engagement
  1. Sri Mandir is a startup creating an app aimed at transforming devotion for smartphone users in India.
  2. The app combines traditional practices with modern technology, making it nostalgic yet innovative.
  3. Sri Mandir's success highlights the significant market for religious products and the potential for growth and impact in faith-tech industry.

#22 Letterboxes, survival straws and invisible design

Design Lobster β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 29 Jun 20
πŸͺ‘ Design Product Design User Experience Innovation
  1. Consider if your design needs to be able to travel through different mediums like a letterbox and how that affects its form.
  2. Think about how your design might require users to be in uncomfortable or dangerous positions, and if there are more user-friendly alternatives.
  3. Good design should be seamless and serve its purpose without drawing unnecessary attention, making the experience smoother for users.

#19 Vanishing packaging, heavy blankets and spontaneous gestures

Design Lobster β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 05 Jun 20
πŸͺ‘ Design Sustainability Product Design Interior design Quotes Social Impact
  1. Design can reduce environmental impact by creating squishier, biodegradable packaging that decomposes quickly.
  2. Weighted blankets, like Gravity Blankets, offer comfort and security by using physical weight to mimic human touch, showing how design can evoke emotion.
  3. Designers can consider incorporating elements of comforting weight into designs to create a psychological sense of comfort.

#6 The Iowa Caucus, bottles & politics

Design Lobster β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 06 Mar 20
πŸͺ‘ Design Politics Product Design Packaging Quotes Aesthetics
  1. Consider the context of use in design decisions, especially in high-stress environments like a nationally significant poll.
  2. Explore the possibility of having design elements serve multiple functions to increase efficiency and sustainability.
  3. Design integrates political ideas into physical artifacts, showcasing how design encapsulates and shapes our world.

#34 When design makes us afraid

Design Lobster β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 21 Sep 20
πŸͺ‘ 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.

#28 Dreamlike houses, Netsuke and Norman's Law

Design Lobster β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 10 Aug 20
πŸͺ‘ Design Architecture Sculpture Fashion Product Design
  1. Designing a house to feel dreamlike involves matching a client's psychological history with unique architectural patterns.
  2. Netsuke, small toggles used with traditional Japanese clothing, evolved into elaborate decorative objects, showcasing the joy of adding artistic touches to everyday items.
  3. Design processes often involve discovering the real problem once designing begins, which can impact timelines and budgets.

#23 Whispering bridges, Detector Locks and umbrellas

Design Lobster β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 06 Jul 20
πŸͺ‘ Design Architecture Product Design Quotes
  1. Designs can evolve to solve new problems in different contexts, celebrating the unpredictable life they take on once released into the world.
  2. Incorporating personality and charm into functionality, like the Detector Lock's whimsical design, can make creations more delightful and memorable.
  3. Stay open-minded like an umbrella to new ideas and information to enhance the quality of your designs and creative output.

What makes Notion so special

subtract β€’ 5 implied HN points β€’ 07 Apr 23
πŸ•Ή Technology Product Design AI User Experience Integration Artificial Intelligence
  1. Notion's design is centered around two key primitives: 'block' and 'page' that make it familiar and easy to use.
  2. Notion's commitment to a single primitive 'block' allows for future growth and adding new features without complexity.
  3. The 'page' primitive in Notion enhances user experience by enabling flexibility and accommodating various types of content.

#11 Cleaning the oceans, facemasks and shadows

Design Lobster β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 10 Apr 20
πŸͺ‘ Design Product Design Aesthetics Innovation Inspiration
  1. Cleaning the oceans involves innovative designs like The Ocean Cleanup's plastic collector that harnesses the natural tendency of plastic to accumulate on beaches.
  2. The N95 respirator, now a symbol of the COVID-19 pandemic, originated from designer Sara Little Turnbull's connections between an industrial material and protective gear, showing unexpected design adaptability.
  3. Appreciating shadows and the beauty in darkness, as discussed by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki, can inspire a broader perspective in design and creativity.