HOW THE TOOLS WE USE CHANGE THE PRODUCTS WE DESIGN

Summary from the TLDR Design newsletter

Web design tools have evolved from distinct eras—from plain HTML and WYSIWYG editors, to Photoshop/Illustrator's static designs, and finally, to purpose-built tools like Sketch and Figma. Each generation of tools directly shaped what designers created, influencing everything from visual aesthetics to functionality. Early sites featured repeating backgrounds and GIFs, while modern designs favor flat, reusable templates. The tools constrained and enabled design choices, proving that "the medium is the message" applies profoundly to web design's technological evolution.