In today’s issue, we’re looking at how designers are creating work that goes beyond just function. Across branding, typography, motion, and tooling, these stories reveal a shared drive to make design more responsive, more human, and more meaningful.

From fonts that solve real accessibility gaps to identity systems that evoke place, memory, and emotion, each piece shows what happens when design meets intention.

What ties it all together? A commitment to design that moves beyond the surface — toward clarity, impact, and deeper connection. Let’s get into it.

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Design with the real Liquid Glass in Play.

No simulations or reference files—use the real materials that tap directly into Apple’s APIs.

See how your app will look, feel, and function ahead the iOS 26 launch later this year.

Next Gen Talent: Jodie Chung Is Already Turning Heads

Jodie Chung’s graduate work is a reminder of what design school can still offer. Fresh perspective, cultural awareness, and bold visual execution. If you’re craving new voices and original thinking, this one’s worth a look.

This Typeface Solves a Blind Spot in Arabic Design

A new font inspired by Egyptian street culture and traditional Ruqʿah scripts offers something Arabic designers rarely get: horizontal typesetting that actually works. It’s a beautifully functional fix to a long-ignored problem.

Ditch the Trophies — Design for Real Communities

One designer shares how letting go of award shows led to work that made real impact in neighborhoods, not just juries. It’s a sharp reminder that recognition means little if the work isn’t resonating where it matters.

A Soft Yet Surreal Visual World

Yo Li’s illustrations pair delicate color with warped, uncanny figures. They pull you into scenes that feel soft at first glance but linger with something stranger underneath. It’s sweet, surreal tension done right.

Build Figma Templates That Stay Flexible

Branded templates don’t have to fall apart when handed off. This guide lays out simple, smart tips to create templates that stay on-brand, editable, and frustration-free for teams and clients alike.

Hey Studio on AI: Savvy, Strategic, and Human

AI isn’t taking over the studio — it’s just sharpening the tools. Here’s how one team integrates it without losing their voice, showing what it looks like to stay curious and in control.

Tea That Tastes Like Home (If Home Is Fire Island)

This tea brand uses packaging to evoke nostalgia and place. Wrapping bold storytelling in soft, editorial design. Proof that food and drink branding doesn’t need to shout to be expressive.

In this issue, we’re exploring how intentional design elevates brands, sparks meaningful conversations, and inspires genuine connections. At the core of these stories is a shared belief in the power of purposeful creativity — not just to communicate clearly, but to deeply resonate across industries, communities, and cultures.

From Ali Martín Filsoof’s advocacy for slowing down the creative process to enhance depth and emotional impact, to Pentagram’s sophisticated and precise branding work for literary prizes, intentionality emerges as a consistent force shaping memorable experiences. Studio Joe’s vibrant rebrand of Peckham Carboot demonstrates how authentic design can encapsulate community spirit and nostalgic charm, while public-sector Chief Design Officers apply strategic design-thinking to transform civic spaces and build lasting trust.

We also highlight Figma’s ongoing innovations — showing how attention to detail and inclusive, AI-driven tools can democratize design and push creative boundaries forward.

Together, today’s stories illustrate the profound influence thoughtful and strategic design holds in shaping the world around us. Let’s dive in.

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Design with the real Liquid Glass in Play.

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Creative careers at a slower pace: Ali Martín Filsoof on intentional practice

Design Dept founder Ali Martín Filsoof advocates slowing the pace in creative work to achieve cultural relevance and emotional clarity. His day-to-day blends deep creative focus, strategy, and multicultural curiosity — offering a view into how slow, thoughtful design adds real substance to branding.

Figma Make AI hits public: build apps from prompts

Figma Make, its AI-powered, prompt-to-app development tool, has officially launched for all users. Now anyone can prototype or even build functional apps using natural language and design references, complete with an optional Supabase backend integration.

Advocacy wrapped in design: Hudson Canyon butcher‑paper campaign

This past June, in honor of World Oceans Month, select seafood markets in New York and New Jersey wrapped their fish in limited-edition butcher paper. The paper featured gyotaku-style fish prints and QR codes to spotlight Hudson Canyon conservation — showing how clever tangible design can directly drive environmental action.

Pentagram brands literary prestige for Windham‑Campbell Prizes

Pentagram created an identity built around elegant brackets for Yale’s prestigious literary awards. This identify focuses on a graphic motif referencing framing and inclusivity. It gives the Windham-Campbell Prizes a visual system that’s both refined and flexible.

Figma’s icon‑making secrets: inside the creative process

Figma designer Tim Van Damme pulls back the curtain on icon development. From dozens of rapid iterations to cohesive visual storytelling across multiple product icons he reveals how thoughtful refinement yields clarity and recognition.

Studio Joe brings market nostalgia to Peckham Carboot identity

Studio Joe channels playful nostalgia into its vibrant rebrand for London’s Peckham Carboot. With quirky marker-pen typography, hand-drawn visuals, and lively colors, the identity authentically celebrates the market’s eclectic, community-driven spirit.

In this issue, we're exploring the transformative power of thoughtful and strategic design. Highlighting how brands across various industries are redefining their identities and experiences.

From How & How’s vibrant rebrand of Big Cartel that champions independent creativity, to DixonBaxi’s empathetic approach that brings humanity into medical AI branding, these case studies illustrate the impact of intentional design choices.

Kevin Högger further showcases how sensory-driven design can heighten authenticity and emotional connection with his work for Wim Bakery. Similarly, Bentley demonstrates the synergy between luxury and innovation with its sophisticated visual reinvention.

Additionally, we gain valuable insights from Luke Miles on crafting future-focused brand experiences, complemented by Base Design’s elegant and calming identity work for Brooklyn’s 12 matcha shop. Together, these stories underline design’s potential to create meaningful and lasting impressions.

Let’s get into it.

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Design with the real Liquid Glass in Play.

No simulations or reference files—use the real materials that tap directly into Apple’s APIs.

See how your app will look, feel, and function ahead the iOS 26 launch later this year.

Big Cartel’s rebrand by How & How champions independent creativity

How & How gives e-commerce platform Big Cartel an energetic new identity rooted in creative expression. With playful illustrations, dynamic logos, and a flexible visual system, the rebrand authentically connects with independent makers, underscoring how strategic visual design can fuel brand affinity and reinforce core values.

DixonBaxi injects empathy into medical AI branding

Breaking from clinical coldness, DixonBaxi reimagines C the Signs’ brand identity with a distinctly human touch. Warm visuals, relatable storytelling, and thoughtful UI shift the perception of healthcare AI from sterile and distant to approachable and empowering. Demonstrating how human-centered design can drive meaningful engagement.

Wim Bakery’s branding captures artisanal warmth

Designer Kevin Högger’s tactile, sensory-driven identity for Wim Bakery fuses industrial materials with the cozy, handcrafted aesthetics of baking. Using textures, earthy palettes, and subtle graphic touches, the project illustrates the power of design to evoke sensory memories and amplify brand authenticity in a crowded market.

Bentley elevates luxury through strategic design reinvention

Bentley doubles down on design leadership with a contemporary visual refresh, including a sophisticated new logo inspired by falcon wings and the unveiling of the cutting-edge EXP 15 concept car. This strategic design evolution signals how heritage brands can remain iconic yet relevant by thoughtfully merging tradition, luxury, and innovation.

Luke Miles on shaping future-forward brand experiences

Luke Miles, founder of design agency New Territory and former head of design at Virgin Atlantic, discusses blending hospitality principles with innovative brand experiences. His perspective highlights how designers can leverage human-focused, experiential thinking across industries, from aviation to hospitality, to redefine the way brands emotionally engage their audiences.

12 by Base Design’s calming matcha branding

Base Design’s identity for Brooklyn’s 12 matcha shop blends tradition with modern serenity. Think minimalist motion logos, tactile packaging, and a lush green palette that evokes ritual and focus. It’s artisanal luxury without the fuss.

In this edition, we examine how thoughtful design effectively blends functionality, innovation, and brand identity. Apple's adjustments to the Liquid Glass interface and Botaniste's refreshed packaging both illustrate how practical considerations can lead to refined aesthetics that resonate deeply with users and consumers alike.

Similarly, Stockholm Design Lab’s rebranding for Sigma and Dark Horses' redesign of St Andrews Links highlight how effectively merging tradition with contemporary elements can strengthen brand presence and global appeal. These examples demonstrate the power of striking a careful balance between heritage and innovation.

Lastly, Craig Ward’s Composit moodboarding tool and Figma’s Config 2025 identity underscore the significance of experiential and intuitive design. Both emphasize creative processes and brand storytelling, showcasing design as not just a visual experience but as an immersive journey.

Design always has the capacity to craft meaningful, cohesive experiences that transcend mere aesthetics. Let’s get into it.

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Design with the real Liquid Glass in Play.

No simulations or reference files—use the real materials that tap directly into Apple’s APIs.

See how your app will look, feel, and function ahead the iOS 26 launch later this year.

Liquid Glass in iOS 26 Beta 3: Usability Takes Precedence

Apple’s “Liquid Glass” interface is getting noticeably foggier in beta 3 of iOS 26, as the company steers back transparency for improved readability. Navigation bars, buttons, and Control Center elements have been toned down after feedback revealed visibility issues. Some users see the change as a retreat from Apple’s original wow factor; others welcome the newfound legibility. The balance between aesthetic ambition and practical use remains Apple’s tightrope—will the public release find the sweet spot?

Botaniste: Nature-Inspired Chic in Haircare Packaging

Abduzeedo spotlights Botaniste’s packaging overhaul, where botanical cues meet premium minimalism. The new design captures natural origins without sacrificing shelf appeal—offering rich textures, elegant form, and an elevated feel that blends B2C charm with luxe sophistication. A case study in how simplicity layered with depth can redefine brand perception.

Sigma & Stockholm Design Lab: Precision Meets Play

Sigma’s rebranding by Stockholm Design Lab marries Japanese craftsmanship with Scandinavian minimalism. The refreshed identity brings back the iconic sigma symbol, now a refined geometric motif across touchpoints. Complemented by custom Sigma Sans/Serif typefaces and a whimsical duo of mascots, “Light and Shadow,” the identity strikes a balance between technical excellence and human charm—reinforcing Sigma’s lens mastery and heritage.

Dark Horses Refresh the Home of Golf at St Andrews

Dark Horses’ new visual identity for St Andrews Links refines the storied “Home of Golf” into a globally resonant brand. A modern wordmark and seven course icons—celebrating elements like the Swilcan Burn—signal both tradition and ambition. From flags to retail totes, the rebrand aims to expand reach and attract partnerships beyond the Scottish coast.

Composit: Analog Discovery for Moodboards

Designer Craig Ward introduces Composit, a moodboard experience that revives the magic of analog discovery. Focused on color-first exploration and removed from algorithm-driven clutter, this tool supports “thinking by eye,” encouraging creativity through unexpected visual juxtapositions. A fresh tribute to the tactile essence of idea generation.

Figma’s Config 2025 Identity: Sensory Branding in Action

Figma’s Brand Studio shares the journey behind Config 2025’s visual identity—an immersive narrative built with inflatable glyphs, ambient soundscapes, and thematic environments. It’s more than branding; it’s a celebration of “makership” that blurs the lines between visual identity, spatial design, and experiential storytelling. A theatrical embrace of conference-branding done right.

This week, design doesn’t just sit on the screen — it responds. Across every format, we’re seeing a push toward work that moves, adapts, and immerses. Whether it’s typography that reacts to interaction, brand systems that unfold in rhythm, or tools designed for better collaboration, the theme is clear: design is growing more dimensional, more personal, and more alive.

And it’s not just the work that’s shifting—agencies are too. With a wave of rebrands and repositioning, studios are refining what it means to stay relevant in a constantly evolving landscape. Meanwhile, questions about creative identity, collaboration, and career direction are getting louder—and designers are finally making space to answer them.

From scalable systems to expressive side projects, this issue is about pushing beyond the surface and designing for how things feel. Let’s get into it.

Sponsored

Design with the real Liquid Glass in Play.

No simulations or reference files—use the real materials that tap directly into Apple’s APIs.

See how your app will look, feel, and function ahead the iOS 26 launch later this year.

After Hours Captures the Chaos and Magic of Late-Night Creativity

The branding for After Hours doesn’t just look cool—it feels like the inside of a designer’s brain at 2 a.m. Created with raw textures, kinetic type, and layered patterns, the identity speaks to the restless, always-creating spirit of the design world after dark. It’s expressive, unpredictable, and intentionally unfinished—just like the best ideas.

What If Your Typography Responded Like Nature?

In “Synthetic Nature,” designer Shuxuan (Eleanor) Yang imagines typography as something alive—moving with breath, fading with time, and echoing your presence. It’s not just a visual system, but a meditation on how digital design can feel tactile, quiet, and organic. It’s a thoughtful reminder that interactivity doesn’t have to shout to be powerful.

This Street Food Brand Channels Osaka After Dark

The Colour Club’s branding for Tsukiyo turns a Sydney food stall into a moody, moonlit scene straight out of Osaka’s Dotonbori district. Fluid typography, soft gradients, and a luminous identity system bring Japanese night markets to life without leaning on clichés. It’s proof that atmosphere can be designed—and it starts with a bold sense of place.

Pearson’s Rebrand Asks: What Does Learning Look Like Now?

Landor’s rebrand for Pearson drops the dusty textbook image in favor of a bold, flexible system built for lifelong learners. The new look reflects a company evolving from educational publisher to a more dynamic, human-centered learning brand. It’s a case study in how clarity, warmth, and purpose can transform legacy institutions.

Why Every Design Agency Seems to Be Rebranding Right Now

Rebrands are booming—and not just for clients. DesignWeek explores why agencies are redefining themselves, driven by shifting expectations, brand fatigue, and the rise of strategic design. More than a visual refresh, these changes reflect deeper positioning shifts as studios compete to stay sharp, relevant, and future-ready.

Inside the Real Workflows Behind Great Agency Collaboration

Figma’s latest In Good Company drop explores how top agencies and freelancers navigate the messy middle—collaboration. With stories from real teams, the post highlights how shared files, async tools, and trust-first cultures are reshaping creative partnerships. For anyone building across time zones and teams, it’s a must-read on staying in sync without losing spark.

This week, design isn’t whispering, it’s speaking clearly, boldly, and across every dimension. From internal tooling to immersive soundscapes, designers are rethinking not just how things look, but how they live in the world.

Nike’s new design system, Podium, is a masterclass in scale. It harmonizes chaos without killing the brand’s soul. Meanwhile, Studio Marcus Kraft is designing with sound as a starting point, and BRiMM proves sustainability doesn’t have to sacrifice style.

But not everything is brand systems and ambient vibes — we’re also getting personal. A brutally honest career advice column has creatives asking the questions we usually avoid: Should I quit? Pivot? Burn it all down?

Oh, and typography might soon react to your mood (?!). Monotype’s AI-fueled vision for fonts reads more like sci-fi than type spec, but hey, it’s 2025. Stranger things have launched.

Whether you’re building systems, designing identities, or just trying to figure out your next creative move — this issue has range. Let’s get into it.

“Design isn’t a zero-sum game. Helping other designers win doesn’t make you lose. We rise together.”

Fattah Setiawan (Fattah Zuni) is a designer specializing in modern geometric logos. He is the founder of Orkha, a design studio, and Morgana, his own type foundry. Currently, he is exploring minimalistic abstract painting through his daily art project on Instagram, Quatrain Routine.

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Kurppa Hosk

Nike Unifies Its Universe: Meet “Podium” — A Design System Built to Scale

Kurppa Hosk has teamed up with Nike on Podium, a next‑gen design language system that harmonizes the brand’s sprawling digital ecosystem. Podium’s reach spans from e‑commerce to internal tooling without sacrificing that bold, athlete‑first spirit. Featuring shared tokens, modular components, and cross‑team co‑creation, it’s a masterclass in scalable clarity and collaborative craft.

It’s Nice That

Creative Career Crossroads? This Advice Column Might Just Save You

From burnout and stalled ambition to the pressure of staying relevant, the modern creative career can feel like a maze with no map. In this candid round-up, working designers and creatives open up about the real questions we all face — when to quit, how to pivot, and what success really looks like beyond job titles. It’s an honest, human look at the career crossroads no one talks about enough, and why clarity often starts with asking the right questions.

UX Design Institute

EU’s Accessibility Wake‑Up Call: Designers, Are You Ready?

With the European Accessibility Act enforcement kicking in June 28, 2025, UX teams in and outside the EU must adapt fast. This UXDI guide breaks down what you must know — both the legal fun and inclusion best practices.

The Verge

Fonts Future: How AI Could Make Type Responsive to You

Monotype’s 2025 Re:Vision report lays out a bold vision: typography that shifts with your mood, gaze, time of day, or even reading habits. While designers are divided, the piece explores the transformative potential of AI‑powered, reactive fonts and what it might mean for creative control and the future of typographic craft.

BP&O

Sustainable Retail, Stunning Design: BRiMM’s Brand Identity Unveiled

Harriman Steel’s work for BRiMM delivers planet‑friendly retail branding that marries minimalism with warmth. Its modular logo and adaptable layouts echo a material‑mindful philosophy. This design says more with less. The result is sustainable shopping that feels purpose‑driven and refreshingly alive.

BP&O

This New Brand Turns Soundscapes Into Pure Design Atmosphere

Perched in the stunning Swiss Alps, Klangwelt Toggenburg isn’t just a cultural hub, it’s a full-body sound experience. Studio Marcus Kraft’s identity system captures that fusion of sonic exploration, natural beauty, and high-concept architecture with typography that echoes acoustics and design that breathes with the landscape. It’s place branding as multisensory storytelling — refined, resonant, and unforgettable.

Figma

The 7 Defining Moments That Shaped Figma’s Design DNA

Dylan Field shares seven pivotal milestones that forged Figma’s product ethos. It’s a candid look at how relentless iteration, user obsession, and championing craft turned a startup into design’s de facto canvas.

Abudzeedo

Motion + Sound = Magic: Fletcher + Munson’s Visual Rebrand

Non Studio’s rebrand for Fletcher + Munson leverages motion design to visualize sound’s essence. Through abstract, rhythmic animation, they’ve created a brand identity that flows as if it hears itself—transforming auditory energy into visual narrative and demonstrating how motion can deepen brand storytelling.

This week feels like a collective deep breath after WWDC25 — and then a bold step forward.

Across the board, designers are breaking out of old molds: ditching rigid frameworks, cutting through the business-jargon, and creating work that feels more strategic, more human, and far more alive.

Figma dropped a not-so-subtle message and we couldn’t agree more: designers don’t just shape experiences, they shape businesses. 20(SOMETHING) showed what happens when a philanthropic brand stops acting like a corporation and starts acting human. Birmingham Design Festival reframed “play” not as chaos, but as structured exploration. And open briefs? They’re more than creative exercises. They’re becoming essential for reviving instincts dulled by over-structured, over-scoped work.

Even in Chloé Gaillard’s quiet, sculptural typography, you can feel it: a refusal to follow convention, and a fierce commitment to carve a new path.

This issue isn’t just inspiration — it’s a signal. The best work isn’t coming from those who stay inside the lines. It’s coming from those bold enough to redraw them.

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Why Designers Need Business Skills — Not Just Creativity

Figma makes a compelling case: if designers want a seat at the table, they need to speak the language of business. This piece digs into why creative intuition alone isn’t enough. Today’s top designers are sharpening their product thinking to build, lead, and shape billion-dollar ideas.

Forget the pixel-perfect portfolio — start building business fluency.

20(SOMETHING)’s Playful Rebrand Sparks Philanthropic Energy

When eBay founder Pierre Omidyar needed a rebrand for his philanthropic network, he turned to 20(SOMETHING). And oh did they deliver. The result? A vibrant, human-centered identity that ditches the corporate gloss for something real, warm, and alive. It’s a masterclass in how to build systems with soul.

“Play” as Design Strategy: A System for Creative Thinking

Play isn’t just a break from the work — it is the work. This bold design system from Birmingham Design Festival proves that when play is structured with intention, it becomes a powerful engine for fresh thinking. It’s a helpful reminder that the best ideas don’t come from rigid frameworks, but from the freedom to explore, experiment, and invent without fear.

How the Open Brief Unlocks Creative Breakthroughs

No rules. No client. No expectations. That’s the power of the open brief. And it’s shaping some of the industry’s most exciting work. It’s Nice That explores how open briefs are helping designers rediscover creative freedom, sharpen their voice, and fall in love with the process again.

Chloé Gaillard Is Turning Typography Into Functional Art

French designer Chloé Gaillard creates typography that feels sculpted rather than drawn. Her work merges graphic clarity with the quiet poetry of ceramics. It strips away the noise, leaving behind form, rhythm, and restrained beauty. If you’re into thoughtful design that whispers instead of shouts, you’ll want to see this.

They might have fumbled Apple Intelligence (more like Apple Idiocy am I right?!), but the new design overhaul for Apple OS is a work of art. Or total dog shit. I suppose beauty is in the eye of the beholder?

I, for one, enjoy the “All Glass” look. Contrast be damned! Sure, legibility might be an afterthought and my retinas might be at risk—but aesthetics sometimes demand sacrifice. The frosted transparency, delicate reflections, and hyper-minimalism feel like the software equivalent of Apple’s iconic product design finally showing up fashionably late to the OS party.

Of course, design Twitter immediately erupted. “Who asked for this?!” screamed half the internet. “It’s about time!” said the other half. Never underestimate the chaos potential when Cupertino decides to rock the visual boat. If nothing else, WWDC 2025 reminded us Apple still knows how to provoke passionate, irrational debates about things like menu bars and drop shadows.

And honestly, it’s kind of refreshing. Good design, in my opinion, should provoke reactions—love or hate, never meh. Apple did exactly that. They dropped a glass grenade into the conversation and we’re all still picking shards out of our screens.

But maybe that’s the point. Whether you think the glass era is gorgeous or garbage, we’re all talking about it. Tim Cook’s somewhere grinning right now, because the conversation—and controversy—is exactly what Apple was hoping for.

Here are some of our favorite looks at iOS 26:

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Don't be limited by your traditional design tools.

Design with native iOS elements, prototype with advanced interactions, integrate with external data, and export directly to Xcode.

Get 25% off 3 months on Play’s Pro Plan with code TODAY25.

Hang On, Did the iPad Just Become a Computer?

Stuff’s getting weird (in a good way) over at Apple—iPadOS 26 feels like someone sprinkled multitasking steroids into my tablet. Resizable windows, Mac-style menus, and that slick “Liquid Glass” look all scream “Turn this into a Mac? Sure, why not!” Apple’s finally letting me run apps side by side, keep them laid out the way I want, and even scroll backgrounded windows with a mouse—meaning I might actually ditch my MacBook someday (fingers crossed). It’s not 100% perfect yet—those minimize buttons still feel mysterious—but damn, this feels like a real step toward turning the iPad from a pretty toy into a productivity beast.

Figma’s Dev Mode Now Powers AI Code Tools

Figma just rolled out its Dev Mode MCP Server in beta, enabling developer tools like Copilot, Claude Code, and Cursor to tap directly into Figma’s design data such as exact colors, graph values, padding, and component names instead of guessing from screenshots. This opens the door to more accurate, code-ready outputs and smoother design-to-development handoffs. Further updates yet to come: remote server support and deeper codebase integration..

This Café Brand Avoids Trends

Andrés Higueros crafts a playful identity for Story Horse, a Tulum café, inspired by the Irish greeting “What’s the story, horse?“. Rejecting Instagram cliché-of-the-day aesthetics, his branding features a horse in whimsical scenarios and vibrant type, celebrating Tulum’s multicultural flair and storytelling spirit. Bold yet friendly, it’s a fresh direction in café branding.

A Restaurant Brand That Started With a Butterfly

Helsinki’s Teller restaurant becomes a stage for storytelling through Werklig’s artful branding. Featuring a whimsical, slightly unruly logotype, hand-drawn characters, and magical-realism flourishes (like a neon butterfly entrance), the design visually narrates each course — from appetizer to “sweet ending.” A poetic identity that makes dining as much about tale as taste

A Typeface with Attitude

Type foundry F37 introduces Mancunio, a humanist sans inspired by Manchester’s old wooden street signs. Launched through “acerbic, deadpan” posters scattered across the city, the campaign captures Mancunians’ dry wit and civic pride. A thoughtfully local font with attitude — and a marketing strategy that’s pure city spirit.

Ya is a Brazilian multidisciplinary designer and artist, currently working as a Senior Designer at OFF/MENU.

This week was relentless. Just when I thought the AI design scene couldn't move faster - it did. In fact, it sprinted ahead, full-force, and crashed through my office wall like it was the Koolaid Man.

First, Higgsfield drops cinematic AI that turns a single image into a Hollywood-level video (seriously, Spielberg, watch your back).

Then ElevenLabs rolls out voice cloning from just a text prompt, so now even Melania Trump is using it to narrate her memoir (you literally cannot make this stuff up).

And just as my brain was about to short-circuit, FLUX.1 Kontext appeared with hyper-realistic context-aware image editing.

Honestly, I'm struggling to keep up. But here's the good news: designers, we've never had tools this powerful, this smart, and this accessible. Our creative process just got a major upgrade.

Now, if only we had a design tool making advancements at the same pace as these AI breakthroughs. Enter Magic Path...

— Hunter Hammonds

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Watch the interview here 👇

(P.S. Our thumbnail experiments are hilarious)

Magic Path wants to create a new design workflow

When Pietro first showed me Magic Path, I immediately thought, "Oh man, this is exactly what my brain wishes Figma could do." The way it effortlessly spins up fully interactive designs from simple prompts is the kind of designer superpower I've been waiting for. It’s less about being an "AI design tool" and more about finally having that mythical intern who reads your mind (without the awkward coffee runs).

Watching Pietro work was like catching a glimpse of what the next few years of design might actually look like - minus the terrifying robo-dystopia. He’s not just chasing AI hype; he's genuinely focused on crafting a workflow where you can quickly explore crazy ideas, refine them, and ship them without ever getting bogged down in backend headaches. Honestly, it's refreshing to see someone who still believes designers should actually have fun at work.

Also - and I say this with deep envy - Magic Path is clearly built by someone who’s spent way too many nights obsessing over pixel-perfect details. The subtle animations, thoughtful interactions, and frankly unfair level of polish made me want to simultaneously applaud and ask Pietro if he ever sleeps. It's like discovering your friend secretly owns a Ferrari after you've spent years carpooling in a Prius.

👉 A quick favor

1. Watch: This Tool Changes Design Forever, Pietro Schirano, Magic Path

2. Subscribe: New designer-turned-founder chats drop 4x a month—pure signal.

HIGGSFIELD

Higgsfield—Stable Diffusion’s New Control Room

Stable Diffusion’s notoriously wild creativity finally has a grown-up in the room: Higgsfield. Think of it as mission control for your diffusion models, letting you easily manage embeddings, LoRAs, and checkpoints without descending into command-line chaos.

Early users swear by its tidy UI and intuitive versioning, calling it “the Figma of image model management.” If you’ve ever accidentally nuked your perfect anime character with a rogue setting, this is your new favorite safety net.

FLUX

Flux.1 Kontext just replaced Photoshop 🤯

If you've ever wrestled with a generative AI that confidently changes everything except the one tiny detail you asked for - meet your new best friend, Kontext from Black Forest Labs. Instead of playing prompt roulette and praying to the masking gods, you just tell Kontext plainly what you want. Change the car to blue, swap out some awkward text -bam, done. Everything else stays exactly where you left it. Sorcery.

But my favorite part? Kontext isn't just obedient - it's consistent. You can keep tweaking an image repeatedly, and it'll remember exactly what you meant by "make the puppy cuter," rather than inventing some terrifying creature every iteration. If you care about the tiny details (like me, obsessively), it actually respects your creative vision without drifting off into the AI abyss.

APPLE DESIGN AWARDS

Play Wins Apple Design Award for Innovation - And We’re Not Even a Little Surprised

Apple just handed out its 2025 Design Awards, and in a move that shocked absolutely no one in our Slack, Play took home the Innovation trophy. If you’ve ever used Play, you know why: it’s the rare design tool that doesn’t just talk about bridging design and development - it actually does it. You design with real SwiftUI components, prototype directly on your iPhone, and then ship straight to Xcode. It’s like someone finally decided to build a design tool that respects both your time and your taste.

What makes this win even sweeter is that Play isn’t some faceless mega-corp - it’s a small, scrappy team that’s been laser-focused on making mobile design feel native, fluid, and dare I say… fun? They’ve been one of our favorite sponsors for a reason: they get it.

ELEVENLABS

Designing voice experiences just got a major unlock

ElevenLabs just dropped their Multilingual v3 model, and suddenly the AI voice world feels less robotic and way more cosmopolitan. With native-sounding fluency in over 30 languages, it’s like ElevenLabs sent their models on an extended backpacking trip across Europe—and they came back cultured and annoyingly well-spoken. It’s now disturbingly easy to make your AI say “bonjour,” “hallo,” or “ciao” without sounding like a tourist fumbling through a phrasebook.

Opera Neon dropped last week, and honestly, it feels like the future just landed. It’s not another browser refresh — it’s an AI-powered assistant actively handling tasks like research, coding, and content creation. This bold move signals a shift in how we might soon expect to work online: less browsing, more doing.

Then there’s Apple’s rumored redesign coming at WWDC 2025. Could we finally see a visionOS-inspired overhaul of the whole Apple ecosystem? If true, it might redefine user interaction — again. Designers, keep an eye on this one; it could be a turning point.

Finally, design is having a playful moment: Brooklyn Film Festival’s fresh rebrand smartly flips the script on screen-time narratives, while Noodle Form is transforming digital screens into whimsical, tactile experiences. The takeaway? The design world isn’t just innovating — it’s actively rediscovering joy.

Liam Fennell is a product designer interested in ideas surrounding architecture, culture, fashion, the arts, Web3, psychology, and artificial intelligence. He previously worked at OpenPurpose as a product design intern.

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It’s Nice That

Noodle Form’s Digital Fidget Project Brings Playful Interaction to Screens

Digital design studio Noodle Form explores how playful, tactile interactions can transform digital spaces through its whimsical “digital fidget” experiments. This inventive project highlights creative ways designers can add delightful moments and unexpected charm to everyday screen experiences.

The Verge

Apple’s Major Redesign at WWDC 2025 Could Change How We Use Devices

At WWDC 2025, Apple is expected to reveal sweeping redesigns inspired by visionOS across its entire product ecosystem, from iPhones to Macs. This could mark a significant shift in UX and UI, making it an essential watch for designers interested in the future direction of digital product design.

Creative Bloq

From Four Rings to Iconic Simplicity: The Evolution of the Audi Logo

Explore the fascinating evolution of Audi’s iconic four-ring logo, from its intricate origins to its current minimalist refinement. A must-read for branding enthusiasts, this article offers valuable insights into how simplicity and consistency drive lasting brand recognition.

The Verge

Opera Neon: A New AI Browser That Reinvents Online Interaction

Opera’s latest release, Neon, pushes the boundaries of traditional web browsing by integrating AI agents capable of autonomously completing tasks — from coding to content creation. Designers exploring AI-driven experiences will find fresh inspiration in Neon’s ambitious new capabilities.

Creative Bloq

Brooklyn Film Festival’s Playful New Branding Reimagines Screen Time

The Brooklyn Film Festival introduces a vibrant, playful new visual identity that cleverly flips the narrative on excessive screen time. This creative rebrand demonstrates how humor and storytelling can be harnessed effectively in visual identity design, offering designers inventive ideas for capturing audience attention.

Last week, the design world got both ends of the spectrum. We got Google's Stitch—a cautious, corporate toe-dip into design AI. And honestly, it's aggressively "meh."

It's functional, it's fine, but it's not exactly inspiring anyone to push boundaries.

And then there's Framer Workshop…

Workshop feels like AI done right. It's genuinely delightful, and clearly built by people who deeply understand (and care about) designers. While everyone races to build generative UI design end-to-end, Framer confidently dropped a product that actually helps your workflow instead of trying to replace it.

Between these launches, it feels like we're hitting an inflection point: careful incrementalism versus inspired innovation. And right now, inspired innovation is definitely winning.

Here were some of our favorite experiments in Framer Workshop:

@mrblackstudio

@AlexAperios

@thalion_pb

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Brian Alvarado is the Co-Founder of AHXE Labs, where he combines his expertise in design and development to craft high-performing, visually compelling digital experiences.

Jake Dugard is a designer and educator. He is design lead at brand studio Tangent, hosts a podcast with the same name, and is an assistant professor at the School of Design at Louisiana Tech University.

Figma x Meta

How to Navigate the Next Big Shift in Design

Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth shares an insightful roadmap for designing in the emerging era of AI and spatial computing. His forward-thinking principles encourage exploring beyond screens toward intuitive, ambient experiences, offering valuable perspective for any designer curious about shaping the future of user interactions.

Creative Boom

Inside Adobe’s Bold Global Rebrand with Mother Design

Adobe’s refreshed global identity, developed by Mother Design, offers a dynamic reinterpretation of its iconic visuals, reflecting a diverse, digitally driven creative community. This story explores how legacy brands can remain fresh and engaging in the age of generative creativity.

TechCrunch

Google Just Launched an AI Tool That Designs Apps For You

Google’s new AI-powered tool, Stitch, effortlessly transforms simple prompts into responsive UI layouts and clean, production-ready code. This streamlined approach to bridging design and development promises smoother collaboration and faster prototyping.

DesignWeek

Pentagram’s Galloping Horse Redefines Motion in AI Branding for Twelve Labs

Pentagram’s latest rebrand for AI startup Twelve Labs features a striking galloping horse logo, symbolizing speed, clarity, and momentum. Designed by Natasha Jen and team, the identity masterfully merges classical inspiration with kinetic motion, reflecting the brand’s mission to make video content more searchable and actionable through AI. This is a rich look into how motion and metaphor can powerfully shape visual identities.

Creative Bloq

Coca-Cola’s New Vitaminwater Logo Hides a Brilliant Typographic Detail

Coca-Cola’s updated branding for Vitaminwater introduces a sleek new logo and packaging system — but there’s more than meets the eye. A subtle typographic shift embeds the “vitamin” wordmark into the label with greater nuance and harmony, showing how even small design moves can redefine shelf presence. This is a compelling example of brand evolution done right.

This week has been exhausting. One breakthrough announcement after another. There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.

This was one of those weeks.

First we got Codex from OpenAI. Then Google I/O. Then OpenAI announces they acquired io (savage move) and are joining forces with Sir Jony Ive. Then Anthropic drops Claude 4.

It’s too damn much. I’m losing sleep just trying to stay on top of all these tectonic shifts happening in tech.

And frankly, you should be too. Designers: we’ve been given superpowers. Abilities to build anything we dream of with the help of our super intelligent AI friends.

If only there was a design tool making advancements at the rate of these foundation models. Well, that’s where Paper steps in...

— Hunter Hammonds

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Watch the interview here 👇

Paper is built for getting design work done.

What I really appreciate about Paper is Stephen’s genuine commitment to keeping designers locked in and focused. Every designer knows the pain of command-tabbing between apps and getting distracted by Twitter or Slack along the way. Paper's seamless canvas—combining powerful editing, animations, and React elements - is thoughtfully crafted to help us stay in that coveted flow state.

One of the things that stood out most to me in chatting with Stephen was how intentional the Paper team is about integrating AI. Instead of shoving every trendy AI feature into the product just to look cool, they're being super thoughtful about how AI can genuinely empower designers without overwhelming us. I love that they're making sure we stay in control, using AI as a helpful partner - not a replacement for creativity.

Maybe my favorite takeaway from talking with Stephen is knowing that Paper is built by a small team of real designers. They're obsessing over little details like color pickers, gradients, and simplifying those overly complicated design systems we all secretly dread. It's obvious they deeply understand (and actually care about) the real-world challenges we designers face every single day.

👉 A quick favor

1. Watch: Meet the Man Taking on Figma - Stephen Haney, Paper

2. Subscribe: New designer-turned-founder chats drop 4x a month—pure signal.

Anthropic

Claude Sonnet 4 & Opus 4—Anthropic’s mic-drop

Anthropic is back with a duet: Sonnet 4 slots in as the new default fast model, while Opus 4 now tops SWE-Bench and long-form reasoning charts, out-coding and out-reading the previous champ by ~15 points.

Early testers say Opus now feels “human-quality” in narrative writing and produces shockingly coherent 2k-line patches without hallucinating package names. If Codex is the tireless junior, Opus is the staff engineer who also moonlights as your copy-writer.

Framer

Framer humbly destroys Webflow (sorry 🤷‍♂️)

Framer just detonated its Spring Event confetti cannon and four shiny features spilled out: Wireframer (an AI layout genie that spits out skeletal, responsive pages in seconds), Workshop (a code-savvy copilot that turns “make this navbar sticky” into working React), a fully rebuilt Vector editor that feels like Pen Tool crossed with nitrous, and finally Analytics 2.0—click-tracking plus A/B funnels baked right into the canvas so you can celebrate (or mourn) your bounce rate without leaving the tool.

Koen Bok framed it as “short-circuiting the slog from blank page to live site,” but really it’s Framer yelling designers deserve CMD-N for entire websites. 

OpenAI

Sir Jony Ive joins OpenAI (yes, really)

OpenAI bought Ive’s design studio LoveFrom spin-off “Io” for a cool ~$6.5 Billion, and handed the former Apple legend the keys to its first hardware moonshot.

Altman’s stated goal: ditch the smartphone form factor entirely and build an “external brain” that ChatGPTs its way through your day. Cue the hot takes comparing it to Humane’s flop—but when the guy who sketched the iPhone bevels meets the company that made ChatGPT, you at least clear your calendar for the launch livestream.

Inflight

Inflight launches the feedback clubhouse designers actually want

Inflight popped out of stealth with the promise of “your new home for design feedback”—think Loom for walkthroughs plus Figma embeds, with AI that wrangles every comment into an actionable report.

The pitch is simple: upload a WIP, get peer or expert critique within 24 hours, no Slack-ping scavenger hunt required. Finally, one link to rule the scattered screenshots, threads, and passive-aggressive Loom replies.

Since rolling out the new Today in Design just two weeks ago, we’ve received an outpour of feedback. It’s been roughly 85% positive, 10% negative, and 5% confused… Some thoughts:

Everything is iteration. We’re making small tweaks issue by issue as we incorporate feedback from you, our readers. For those asking for dark mode to come back: sorry, it’s gone for good.

On Mondays, like today, we’ll share inspiration that we’ve collected, highlight an “up and coming” designer, take you behind the scenes of design projects we’re into, and share some news.

Fridays we’ll continue to explore the best formats for diving deep into a topic that’s relevant right now. I’m working hard on our new interview format and hope that you’re enjoying it. I can promise you that each episode will be better than the last as I start to really figure things out.

Just remember, at the bottom of each email, we ask for your feedback. We read every single submission. If you care about the content, please share your thoughts and let us know what you feel is working and what could improve.

P.S. Did you see our interview with Mike from Worklouder? He shares a lot of amazing insights into their approach to product design and marketing.

— Hunter Hammonds

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Emir Ayaz is the founder of Arc Studio, a design partner for startups seeking more than just another agency. He specializes in UI/UX redesigns, high-converting landing pages, and flexible design subscriptions. With experience working with YC-backed startups and a track record of boosting conversions by 20%, Emir helps early-stage teams bring their vision to life through design that connects, inspires, and drives results.

A few months ago, this was just an idea. Half a conversation over coffee, a shared frustration with the usual coworking options, and the question: what if we just made our own.

Now it’s real. It’s called Outpost, and it lives on Goose Island in Chicago. Sixteen fixed desks, no hot-desking, no chaos. Just a space for people who care about their work and want a quiet place to do it.

We landed on the name Outpost pretty quickly. It felt honest. A little industrial, a little outdoorsy. Not trying to be everything for everyone—just a solid place to set up camp and do your thing.

From there, we built a brand that feels like the space itself: confident but quiet. The type is bold and geometric, but there’s softness in the colors. Muted tones that balance warmth with utility.

We carried that same approach into the website, which we designed and launched in just two days.

There’s something freeing about working that quickly. You don’t overthink things. You make decisions based on instinct and values instead of trying to predict what people will think. That mindset carried through the whole process—just make it good, make it useful, and get it out into the world.

It’s intentionally minimal—no fluff, no endless scroll. Just the essentials: what it is, where it is, how to apply. The typography mirrors the brand. The layout is clean. The tone says: “This is for people who get it.”

The space itself is the same story. Polished concrete floors, soft light, oversized windows. Thoughtful furniture choices that actually support focus, not distract from it. A few plants, some brutalist touches, and a layout that respects your need to breathe. It’s got a vibe—but an understated one.

We wanted the nav to feel like the kind of signage you’d see in a physical space—simple, clear, and directional. The arrows and layout are meant to feel familiar, like wayfinding in a building. It’s a small touch, but it helps the site feel more grounded and connected to the space itself.

@iampetrknoll

We’re starting with 16 fixed desks. No hot-desking. No rotating circus. Just a small crew of people doing great work.

Outpost isn’t about scale. It’s about clarity. And if that resonates with you, we’d love for you to check it out.

Learn more at workatoutpost.com

Figma Blog

Figma Explores: Is Design Efficiency Killing Creativity?

Design thinking needs to move beyond speed to prioritize care, craft, and emotional resonance. Config 2025 highlighted a growing sentiment that while AI enhances efficiency, it should also augment the human aspects of design. Notably, Smith & Diction's talk declared, "Efficiency kills love," and Figma CEO Dylan Field emphasized that "Design is chasing a feeling." We cannot forget the importance of creating experiences that are not only functional but also meaningful and emotionally engaging.

DesignWeek

“It was a bit nuts” – Teo Connor on designing the new Airbnb app

In a recent interview, Airbnb's VP of Design, Teo Connor, discusses the ambitious redesign of the Airbnb app, which expands beyond vacation rentals to include services like personal training, photography, and fine dining. The design team faced the challenge of integrating a wide array of new options and information into the app's interface, aiming to make it a comprehensive platform for real-world services. This conversation offers valuable insights into managing complex information architecture and creating intuitive user experiences in multifaceted applications.

Coca-Cola x Adobe

Coca-Cola Launches Fizzion to Elevate Brand Design Through AI

Fizzion, a pioneering AI-powered design system developed in collaboration with Adobe, transforms static brand guidelines into intelligent, adaptive assets, enabling creative teams to produce content up to ten times faster without compromising quality or brand integrity. By learning from designers' workflows within Adobe Creative Cloud applications, Fizzion captures creative intent and encodes it into machine-readable StyleIDs, ensuring consistent application of brand rules across various formats and markets. Fizzion exemplifies how AI can enhance creativity and efficiency, allowing for rapid, on-brand content creation at a global scale.

What’s On My Mind

Good morning from my desk-junk jungle 🌴

Quick announcement: We’re giving away 3 tickets to Valiocon live today on Release Notes. Show goes live at 12pm CST - tune in to win.

I’m writing this with three keyboards in front of me—because “research,” obviously—and my accountants love it.

But after chatting with Mike De Genova, co-founder of Worklouder, I had to hit send. His origin story is so gloriously scrappy it makes my Stripe receipts blush.

Grab your coffee. Here’s how two guys met on Instagram and built a seven-figure hardware brand in just four years—and what the rest of us can steal.

— Hunter Hammonds

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Worklouder made me a believer (and mildly jealous)

I’m drawn to founders who obsess over corner-radius choices and Discord replies with equal intensity. That’s Worklouder.

They started with two grand, no manufacturing background, and a healthy disrespect for “the right way.” Instead of begging for VC checks, they posted renders, talked to early fans in DMs, and just made it happen. Instead of only charging premium prices (looking at you Mode 👀) they chopped their $400 flagship into a $99 “Creator Micro” so more folks could try the brand without selling a kidney.

When tariffs threatened their U.S. sales (70 % of revenue!), they didn’t whine—they came up with a way to let customers 3-D-print half the enclosure at home. That’s designer DNA applied to business: sweat the small stuff, stay curious, and keep moving.

Designers are elite founders: the playbook you should steal

Every time I talk to Mike, I’m reminded that great products start as great questions. What if the render is enough to validate demand? What if our launch partner already has the audience we need? What if the cheapest SKU is actually a Trojan Horse for the premium one? 

They treat marketing assets like Figma components - one Ben Fryc animation becomes twenty TikToks, three landing-page loops, and a hero GIF for press.

They replace ad spend with authenticity: hang out in the community channel, share factory outtakes, own the mistakes (their first “prototype” was basically an aluminum paperweight).

That mix of honesty, detail-obsession, and relentless shipping is exactly why I believe more designers should be founding companies, not just polishing someone else’s roadmap.

👉 Watch the full interview (and subscribe too if ya don’t mind)

YouTube gods need to know we’re alive, so do me a favor:

1. Watch: In Conversation with Mike De Genova, the Keyboard Kingpin

2. Subscribe: New designer-turned-founder chats drop 4x a month—pure signal.

3. Ignore the jittery frame-rate: Descript had an off day; my bad, won’t happen again. 💔

Every view tells the algorithm we’re worth feeding, and every sub buys me one more excuse to drag bizarre hardware through airport security. Appreciate you.

Mike had zero industrial design or engineering experience when he jumped into Work Louder. Neither did his co-founder. It’s like agreeing to bake a cake without knowing what an oven looks like—but if you're excited enough, you'll figure it out before the house burns down.

Mike openly admits he was never the "best" or "fastest" at anything. His secret weapon? Just showing up—every damn day. Turns out relentless consistency beats sporadic brilliance almost every time. Who knew?

Mike’s entrepreneurial journey involved flings with education, vodka, and finally keyboards (quite the romantic arc). Each failed startup became invaluable fuel, helping him swipe right on the idea that clicked: Work Louder.

It took almost two years for Mike to turn a conversation with Figma into a real collab. Lesson learned: working with corporate giants requires patience (and probably some snacks). Keep knocking gently, and bring a comfy chair.

PRODUCT NEWS

Granola punked Notion and dropped 2.0

Notion announces new AI features including AI Meeting Notes. Next day, Granola launches 2.0 and announces a $40m+ fundraise. This is the energy I’m here for.

If you know much about me, you know that I’ve got beef with Notion. I think it’s a mess and doing even the simplest of things is greatly overcomplicated. Granola 2.0 just showed the world how simple managing your teams notes & docs should be.

RELEASE NOTES

Ryo Lu shows us how Cursor and vibe coding will evolve

Ryo dropped by Release Notes to share a behind the scenes look at Cursor’s approach to designing frontier AI products. We also got a personal tour of RyOS.

NEW PRODUCT

I can’t wait to use Apple Carplay Ultra in my Aston Martin that I can totally afford

Just when you’re ready to keep hating on Apple for the disastrous “Apple Intelligence” they announce Carplay Ultra. It’s beautiful. I want it. I just don’t want to have to buy a (checks notes) ASTON MARTIN?! to use it.

Web Designer (Framer)

Remote — Freelance

Product Designer

Remote — Full Time

I can’t stop thinking about Config 2025... On one hand the announcements felt entirely expected, on the other, the implications feel entirely unrealized. Figma didn’t just unveil new features - they dropped a bombshell that could reshape the entire design and development landscape.

With the introduction of Figma Sites and Figma Make, they become a formidable competitor to platforms like Webflow, Framer, and even WordPress. It’s a bold step, and I can imagine many in the industry are feeling a mix of awe and apprehension.

It’s easy to write off their mess of nested divs and complete lack of functionality compared to the Framers and Bolt’s of the world, but Figma is scrappy. They also have the ability to tie infinite canvas exploration and code generation together in a way no one has been able to achieve.

So, as the dust settles from Config 2025, I’m left wondering: Is this the dawn of a new era where design and development converge seamlessly? And more importantly, how will we, as creatives and builders, adapt and thrive in this evolving landscape?

— Hunter

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Daniel Sun is a web and brand designer whose approach blends strategic thinking with a deep respect for timeless style over fleeting trends. He sees design not as decoration, but as a tool for clear, purposeful communication—shaped by context and tailored to resonate with users and investors alike. Daniel thrives on self-imposed challenges and continuous learning. His creative process is rooted in curiosity, clarity, and craft, always driven by the belief that great design serves others before it serves itself.

RESOURCES

Inga Hampton teaches a masterclass in doing the impossible in Figma

Stop what you’re doing and watch her Config talk. Seriously. Do it. Unless you hate design.

CASE STUDY

LoveFrom’s Elegant Rebrand of a San Francisco Design Landmark

LoveFrom has unveiled a refined new identity for William Stout Architectural Books — a beloved San Francisco bookstore established in 1974. Collaborating with illustrator Satoshi Hashimoto, the rebrand features a bespoke typeface, LF Washington, and thoughtful illustrations that honor the store’s architectural heritage while infusing it with contemporary warmth.

PERSPECTIVE

Crafting Design: Inside Figma’s New Book, Practice

Figma’s new book, Practice, launched at Config 2025, explores the timeless value of design craft through themes like iteration, intention, and adaptation. Created with studio Other Means and type designer Kia Tasbihgou, the book draws visual inspiration from William Morris while blending historical and contemporary perspectives. Through essays, interviews, and visuals, Practice celebrates the thoughtful, patient work that defines great design.

Contra

Framer Expert

Remote — Contract

BX Studio

Creative Lead - Sr Web Designer

Remote — Full Time or Part Time

Some of the best things I own weren’t bought because of reviews or marketing hype. They weren’t the “most advanced” or “most efficient.” They were things that simply made sense—visually, functionally, emotionally. They were made with intention. You could feel it in the weight, the texture, the way they faded into the background until they quietly became essential.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about the value of that kind of intention—not just in what we use, but in what we make.

We’re in an era where everything pushes us to move faster. Launch now. Automate later. Outsource the thinking. It’s tempting. But the most satisfying creative work, the kind that endures, rarely comes from speed. It comes from sitting with an idea longer than is comfortable. From wrestling with small decisions that no one will ever notice—except they will, in the feeling the final thing gives them.

There’s a particular kind of longevity that only comes from slowness. It’s the slowness of iteration, of not rushing the sketch into production, of asking whether something needs to exist at all. It’s the opposite of growth-hacking. It’s care.

And in a landscape where speed is a virtue and shipping is a sport, there’s something quietly rebellious about making fewer things, better.

So this week, I’ve been asking myself: what if slower is actually the fastest way to build something that lasts? Today, we explore that question with my friend, Jeff Sheldon, Founder of Ugmonk.

This is the first episode for our new, weekly series, exploring where design, craft, and technology meet to create wonderful design-driven businesses. Subscribe to the YouTube channel here.

Lastly, as we embark on this journey to rethink Today in Design, please don’t hesitate to share feedback. Simply reply to this email - we want to know what you think!

— Hunter Hammonds

Great designs aren't complicated.

They’re thoughtful. Stripped down. Considered.

Like Ugmonk’s Gather organizer. Jeff Sheldon didn’t just design another desk accessory - he painstakingly crafted every magnet, every texture, every detail. The end result isn’t flashy. It just works. Effortlessly.

“Minimalism isn’t simplicity for its own sake,” Jeff told me. It’s clarity. It’s function. It’s about knowing when to stop.

When you use Gather, you don’t notice the iterations. You notice how calm your workspace feels. How frictionless the interaction is. That’s the design doing its job - quietly, completely.

It reminds me that reduction isn't a loss - it's a sharpening. A focusing.

And in that clarity, the essentials come into view.

What can I remove, not just from my design, but from my process?

What, if anything, is truly non-essential?

We celebrate speed. Rapid growth, overnight success - fast means you’re winning, slow means you’re failing. But that’s wrong.

Jeff described Ugmonk as a "17-year overnight success," and that stuck with me. It’s counterintuitive but powerful.

Jeff doesn’t chase quick wins or aggressive scale. He lets ideas breathe, mature, grow.

He told me, "Meaningful things need time."

It’s a perspective we rarely hear. And it makes me wonder:

Am I giving ideas enough space?

How could I turn slowing down into an advantage?

It’s ironic that one of the most beloved productivity tools of the past few years is made of wood and paper.

Not an app. Not a second-brain system. Just cards. Three stacks: Today, Next, Someday.

I asked Jeff why he thought people resonated so deeply with something so basic. He said it wasn’t about the tool - it was about the ritual. The intentionality of writing something down. The friction that forces clarity. The paper that doesn’t buzz or ping or suggest an AI-generated goal based on your calendar history.

There’s a purity to analog that doesn’t fight for your attention. It just waits. And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need

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Jeff said something else I’ve been turning over: that his favorite part of the process is “zooming in and zooming out.” Refining the most granular product details, then pulling back to ask how it all fits the business. And then doing it again. Over and over.

That rhythm - of focus and perspective - is rare. Most people stay stuck in one view: the perfectionist who never ships, or the visionary who forgets the bolts that hold the product together.

But in the best studios and the best companies there’s a constant dance between craft and context. Between detail and direction.

It’s a reminder that we don’t have to choose. We just have to move between them with intention.

Most businesses dictate our lives. Jeff chose differently.

Ugmonk wasn’t built for explosive growth. Jeff intentionally shaped it around his life—family, creativity, freedom.

Rejecting external funding and rapid scaling meant he could prioritize what truly mattered. He could spend mornings walking his kids to the studio, afternoons prototyping new ideas, evenings reflecting.

It’s inspiring, and honestly, challenging.

Do we have the courage to design our work around our lives?

Or do we let external definitions of success define us?

A 17-year journey will always look slow from the inside—but that’s often the pace required to build something meaningful and resilient.

When you remove features, what’s left is focus—and sometimes that’s exactly what people need most.

In a world chasing efficiency, care stands out. Details still matter—even (and especially) when no one notices them at first.

Slowing down forces you to prioritize. To choose. To make fewer, better decisions that actually hold up over time.

PRODUCT NEWS

Figma launches Sites, Make, Draw, and Buzz.
Meet the new Adobe Figma Suite.

Some announcements feel inevitable—products and updates that align seamlessly with a company's core purpose. Others feel more complicated. Figma's recent reveals at Config made me wonder which camp they belong in.

Figma grew by doing a few things exceptionally well. It was effortless, intuitive, focused. It quietly reshaped how we design by being simpler and clearer than everything before. But as their product line expands, introducing new ways to code and manage complex workflows, I find myself asking: is Figma enhancing what makes them special, or are they complicating it?

This isn't a critique about innovation—of course companies should evolve. But there's a delicate balance. Are new features driven by genuine need, or just keeping pace with competitors like Framer, Webflow, Bolt, and Lovable? Will adding complexity dilute Figma’s core strength of simplicity and speed?

It's worth considering the lessons of Adobe during the acquisition talks—complexity for its own sake can erode user trust. Security, ownership, accessibility (WCAG), and clarity: these are quiet but crucial areas where meaningful innovation could emerge.

Will Figma’s future be defined by thoughtful, intentional growth? Or will rapid expansion mean losing sight of the simplicity that made it essential? I’m eager to see which direction they head.

PRODUCT NEWS

Jony Ive dropped by Stripe Sessions to remind us why we miss his influence at Apple

Some products fade quietly into the background of our lives—not because they’re dull, but because they’re quietly perfect. They feel inevitable. Effortless. Yet behind that ease is a profound level of intention, something that rarely happens by accident.

Lately, I’ve been missing that kind of intention at Apple.

Jony Ive once described spending a Sunday afternoon obsessing over the experience of unwrapping a cable. Not because it saved a few seconds, not because it would boost sales, but because he believed people would feel, in that tiny detail, that someone cared deeply about them. He called it a spiritual moment—a silent gesture of gratitude to the user.

Apple still makes great products, of course. But without Jony, it feels as though something subtle yet essential has been lost. That unquantifiable, human-focused obsession with details seems harder to find. Today’s devices might be faster, more powerful, more capable—but are they crafted with that same quiet care?

In our world of constant iteration, fast launches, and endless noise, Jony’s legacy reminds us of the value in moving slower. In caring about small moments no one explicitly notices, yet everyone feels.

What’s New

A Fresh Start for Today in Design

We’re switching things up. Starting today, Today in Design is moving to a new cadence: instead of daily emails, you’ll now receive thoughtfully curated issues twice a week — every Monday and Friday.

Why the change? We want to give you more value and less noise. With each edition, you’ll get sharper insights, deeper stories, and a better reading experience — starting with this brand-new design we’re debuting today.

Here’s what to expect:

🗓 Monday Edition – Everything you need to start your week: Curated inspiration, up and coming designer highlights, pro tips from the community, fresh tools, jobs, and trending news.

🗓 Friday Edition – A dive into the stories and workflows behind your favorite designers and founders, exclusive interviews, and explorations of the business of design.

We’re also rolling out a new visual identity that reflects where Today in Design is headed — more modern, more focused, and more connected to the design community.

Thanks for being here with us. We can’t wait to show you what’s next.

— The Today in Design Team

How we designed the new Today in Design

When we first launched the new Today in Design, the mission was clear: deliver curated, thoughtful design content to provide a creative pulse check for designers. As the newsletter grew, so did its audience, and with that came the need for a clearer, more memorable identity.

The original branding served us well, but it lacked the visual voice that matched our tone: bold, dynamic, and deliberately experimental. Our content reflects both structure and surprise, routine and revelation — and we needed a brand system that could hold all of that.

At the core of the new brand is a clean, sans-serif wordmark. We chose to keep it simple and strong — something that holds up across formats, scales well, and doesn’t compete with the content. Minimalist. Familiar. Almost invisible.

But behind that simplicity is a lot of exploration — dozens of alternate versions, shapes, and directions we tried along the way. We liked them all and couldn’t make peace with letting go of them—as designers tend to. Instead of discarding them, we chose to incorporate them in the final wordmark.

The animated logo variations — where each letter is replaced by a different style — are built from those early drafts. It’s a way of honoring the process. The final logo is clean and minimal, but the variations let us show our working.

To balance the clean lines and strict typography, we also introduced a grainy dither effect across brand assets. It adds texture — a nod to print design and early digital graphics — and gives the system a bit of friction. The contrast between sharp type and soft noise keeps things from feeling too polished. It’s design with edges.

We used Dither — a plugin for Figma to produce these noisy assets. It’s honestly one of the quickest ways to bang these out. So shout out to Mike Bespalov who made it.

Alongside the visual identity, we also redesigned the newsletter itself. The new layout is cleaner and more focused, with more breathing room between sections and fewer distractions around the content. We pulled back on decoration and leaned into typography — clear hierarchy, generous spacing, and simple formatting that makes the newsletter easier to scan, but also easier to sit with.

We’re excited to keep evolving the brand as Today in Design grows — and as always, thanks for reading.

Damian Chmiel