The Daily Index — Tuesday, July 30, 2024

NEWS & TRENDS

TLDR Design

GOOGLE'S NEW NEST LEARNING THERMOSTAT HAS AN IMPROVED UI AND ‘BORDERLESS' DISPLAY

Leaks of the new Nest thermostat detail a “high-res borderless display,” which looks like it will allow the UI of the Nest Learning Thermostat to extend into the area that was typically a black bezel on existing third-generation units. Other leaked images show UI elements that appear much closer to the bezels of the display.

theverge.com · 4 min

TLDR Design

DC COMICS' 'NEW LOGO' IS THE WELCOME RETURN OF A CLASSIC

DC Comics has brought back a slightly modified version of its classic logo from 1976-2005. Revealed at San Diego Comic-Con by Chief Creative Officer Jim Lee, the return to the iconic design provides long-time fans with a sense of nostalgia and relief, showing that sometimes rebranding isn't necessary. The decision reflects the company's attempt to reclaim its identity amid recent struggles.

creativebloq.com · 1 min

TLDR Design

TWITCH COMPLETES ITS TIKTOK MAKEOVER WITH NEW APP UPDATE

Twitch's mobile app is getting a significant makeover that makes it look like a TikTok-like feed. The redesign aims to improve content discovery, making it enjoyable and more accessible for the over 50% of users who primarily watch on their phones to find new and beloved streamers. Along with the primary feed change, the new app features a Browse tab, an Activity tab, a Profile tab, and a Plus button for starting livestreams.

theverge.com · 1 min

TLDR Design

AN UPDATE ON OUR MAKE DESIGNS FEATURE

Figma temporarily disabled Figma AI's Make Designs feature after discovering an issue that caused outputs to resemble existing apps. The feature uses AI models and extensive design systems to generate UI designs from user prompts. Figma is working to improve the QA process before re-enabling Make Designs.

figma.com · 4 min

TLDR Design

WHAT I LEARNED FROM MAKING MY OWN DESIGN SYSTEM

Design systems often struggle with understanding users' needs despite knowing them. Creating a design system too late can be difficult, especially when integrating it into an existing codebase. Using minimal technology simplifies the process and reduces distractions. Ensuring the design system aligns with users' goals helps reduce deviations, and applying design system thinking to unify different elements can improve efficiency and outcomes.

pjonori.blog · 8 min

TLDR Design

DITCH THE DESIGN PROCESS

A rigid design process may only suit some problems, necessitating unique approaches and critical thinking to find the best solutions. Janette Fuccella's Priority Framework, which emphasizes the importance of selecting appropriate methods based on risk and problem knowledge, offers a versatile toolbox for problem-solving.

somedesigners.substack.com · 3 min

TLDR Design

MASTER DESIGN SYSTEM GOVERNANCE WITH THIS ONE WEIRD TRICK

The key to mastering design system governance is simple: talk. Conversation can save significant time and resources when questions, issues, or concerns arise. Establishing a culture of open communication through dedicated channels like Slack, office hours, and email is crucial. Building rapport and proactively addressing concerns enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of the design system.

bradfrost.com · 3 min

TLDR Design

WE NEED MORE VITAMIN PRODUCTS

The "vitamin vs painkiller" analogy in startups distinguishes between products that are nice-to-have enhancements (vitamins) and those that solve immediate problems (painkillers). Painkillers address existing issues, while vitamins, which gradually shift the focus from problem-solving to embracing new, benefit-driven standards, require patience and foresight.

valtetu.framer.website · 3 min

TLDR Design

HOW TO ARCHIVE YOUR DESIGN SYSTEM EFFECTIVELY

To effectively archive a design system, focus on preserving design decisions rather than visual components. Document use cases, design choices, and best practices to ensure valuable knowledge is retained. Create an internal wiki with templates for each component, enabling future designers to understand past decisions, maintain consistency, and avoid redundant discussions, even if the original visual elements are no longer used.

dataanddesign.substack.com · 6 min

TLDR Design

THE SEARCH IS ON FOR A NEW R/GRAPHIC_DESIGN LOGO – THE RESULTS ARE LAUGHABLY BAD

The r/graphic_design subreddit witnessed humorous chaos after a user criticized the old logo and was invited to create a better one.

creativebloq.com · 1 min

TLDR Design

COPYING IS THE WAY DESIGN WORKS

Copying is inherent in design and innovation - it's essential to understand and navigate this complexity.

matthewstrom.com · 15 min

TLDR Design

A LINE CAN BE ANYTHING IN THE HANDS OF ILLUSTRATOR ANDY GOODMAN

Andy Goodman transforms single lines into engaging, graphical art, drawing inspiration from everyday phrases.

creativeboom.com · 3 min