The Daily Index — Friday, June 28, 2024

NEWS & TRENDS

TLDR Design

FIGMA'S NEW SLIDES APP FOCUSES ON DESIGN, FUN, AND (OH, YEAH!) AI

Figma has launched Figma Slides in beta. Figma Slides integrates with Figma's existing suite. Emphasizing intuitive design features and collaboration, it includes AI functionalities to enhance presentations. Despite the competition from established players like PowerPoint and Google Slides, Figma Slides aims to stand out by focusing on creativity and user participation to combat the dullness often associated with traditional presentation tools.

links.tldrnewsletter.com · 4 min

TLDR Design

TIKTOK, YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS WITH THE LOGO FOR YOUR NEW INSTAGRAM ALTERNATIVE

TikTok has quietly launched a new social media app called Whee, an Instagram alternative with a logo resembling Instagram Threads. Early adopters noticed the logo's familiar looping curved line and gradient colors, raising questions about originality in a crowded market. With numerous social media options, it's uncertain how Whee will distinguish itself or succeed.

creativebloq.com · 3 min

TLDR Design

MATTEL WILL MAKE 80% OF ITS GAMES COLOR-BLIND ACCESSIBLE BY THE END OF THE YEAR

Mattel aims to make 80% of its games color-blind accessible by the end of 2024 and 90% by 2025, starting with Uno, which will include symbols for color identification. Partnering with ColorADD, Mattel will update other games like Blokus, Dos, Phase 10, Skip-Bo, and Ker Plunk, adding instruction sections for color-blind players and a badge on accessible game packaging to benefit an estimated 300 million color-blind people worldwide.

links.tldrnewsletter.com · 1 min

TLDR Design

HOW TO GET ANSWERS QUICKLY AND AVOID FEATURES THAT FLOP

One-question surveys are helpful for testing assumptions and gathering feedback. To increase response rates, they should be simple, visible, and contextual. Using user-friendly language, clear response labels, personalization, an easy-to-answer format, a clear call to action, and thanking users with a genuine reason for the survey can enhance engagement and response rates.

links.tldrnewsletter.com · 8 min

TLDR Design

INSIDE THE REDESIGNED FIGMA, WHERE YOUR WORK TAKES CENTER STAGE

Figma's UI3 redesign maximizes canvas space, emphasizing creative work over interface distractions. It balances intuitiveness for new users and familiarity for seasoned designers, integrating features like resizable panels and a slim toolbar. The redesign supports evolving design needs, including AI-assisted tools, and aims to create a cohesive experience across the Figma ecosystem, setting the stage for future innovations.

figma.com · 7 min

TLDR Design

SAYING MORE WITH LESS: HOW DESIGNING MAPS HELPS YOU UNDERSTAND USE CASES

Creating effective map designs requires understanding user needs and use cases. Designers usually work with APIs like OpenStreetMap to populate maps and focus on crafting specific UI elements that aid users in finding and analyzing information. Success lies in aligning design choices with users' information-seeking behaviors, ensuring that maps help them navigate and interpret data seamlessly.

dataanddesign.substack.com · 8 min

TLDR Design

PENGUIN BOOKS REVEALS THE WINNERS OF ITS 2024 COVER DESIGN AWARD

Penguin Books has announced the winners of its 2024 Cover Design Award: Charlotte Jennings for children's (City of Stolen Magic), Cadi Rhind for adult fiction (Daisy Jones and the Six), and George Griffiths for adult nonfiction (Atomic Habits). Winners, selected from over 1,800 submissions, receive mentorship, Wacom tablets, and Penguin Random House design books. Second and third places are also awarded in each category.

creativeboom.com · 5 min

TLDR Design

WANT TO DESIGN A GREAT PRODUCT? GO ON A FIELD TRIP

Observing real-world consumer behavior can spark innovation and new ideas. Designers can break free from theoretical loops by going on "analog research" field trips. These trips help designers create human-centered digital products and solutions.

printmag.com · 7 min

TLDR Design

THE EASE TYPE SYSTEM CAN BE AS ROUNDED AS YOU PLEASE

Studio Feixen's Ease type system offers designers endless possibilities by allowing inner and outer corners to be rounded in any conceivable way. This versatile, detailed variable typeface took one and a half years to develop. It provides a perfect example of how variable typefaces can expand creative boundaries.

itsnicethat.com · 3 min

TLDR Design

COLIN'S VISUAL IDENTITY: A STUDY IN BRANDING EXCELLENCE

Colin's branding strategy emphasizes sophistication and confidence, appealing to men in business attire through its premium service and high-quality fabric.

abduzeedo.com · 2 min

TLDR Design

TAKU INOMATA REIMAGINES EVERYDAY OBJECTS WITH CLEVER PAPER CRAFTS

Taku Inomata, a Tokyo-based packaging designer, creates humorous and imaginative artworks, heavily inspired by the playful touch of Masayoshi Nakajo and his natural surroundings in Bunkyo Ward, using simple techniques and everyday materials.

itsnicethat.com · 1 min

TLDR Design

REPLICATING A BRAND'S SUCCESS INTERNATIONALLY

Replicating a brand's success internationally hinges on adapting to local cultures while maintaining consistent brand positioning, which can be efficiently managed through a central-local collaboration model.

brandingstrategyinsider.com · 2 min