TLDR DesignJuly 9, 2024

TLDR DESIGN 2024-07-09

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01NEWS & TRENDS

APPLE TESTING NEXT-GEN APPLE WATCH SE MADE WITH PLASTIC TO CUT COSTS

Apple is working on a new version of its Apple Watch SE, potentially replacing the aluminum shell with rigid plastic to cut costs. This change could lower the starting price of the Apple Watch SE from its current $249, bringing it closer to Samsung's $199 starting price for its affordable watch. The redesign, which follows a previous update in 2022 that involved switching the back case material to nylon composite, aims to make the Apple Watch SE more budget-friendly.

9to5mac.com1 min read

CANVA CEO MELANIE PERKINS THINKS THE DESIGN WORLD NEEDS MORE ALTERNATIVES TO ADOBE

Canva's CEO Melanie Perkins discussed in an interview how the design software company continually innovates to make design accessible and user-friendly, including leveraging AI tools without the tension faced by Adobe. Canva's expansion into enterprise solutions presents a significant redesign to better cater to big businesses while maintaining its mission to democratize creativity. The conversation also touched on Canva's cultural values and the ethical considerations around AI, illustrating the company's dedication to balancing innovation and responsibility.

theverge.com3 min read

NINTENDO BECOMES THE BIGGEST COMPANY IN THE GAMES INDUSTRY⁠ TO SAY NO TO USING GENERATIVE AI

Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa announced that the company is not planning to incorporate generative AI technology into its games, emphasizing its dedication to creating unique gaming experiences. This decision contrasts with other tech and gaming companies eagerly adopting AI. Furukawa is concerned about intellectual property and the importance of Nintendo's established expertise in optimal gaming experiences.

pcgamer.com4 min read

02OPINIONS & TUTORIALS

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR UX BENCHMARKING

Rolling out an improved user experience requires more than design changes, it also demands internal stakeholder buy-in and clarity on qualitative metrics. UX benchmarking, using metrics like the System Usability Scale, is crucial for aligning goals and creating compelling narratives to demonstrate UX impact and guide strategic planning.

pinterest.design6 min read

OUTSIDE THE UX ECHO CHAMBER

Teenage Engineering CEO Jesper Kouthoofd argued against over-reliance on user testing at Figma's Config conference, advocating for balancing data with intuitive design choices to foster creativity. His stance, which emphasized the need for the design community to question assumptions and embrace unconventional solutions, resonated with the audience.

betterbydesign.cc4 min read

FIGMA AI

Figma has announced new AI-powered features, including automatic wiring of prototypes, mockup data filling, string translation, automatic layer naming, and generating placeholder images, to save designers time and enhance their focus on problem-solving. The "Make designs" feature creates mockups from user prompts and may be trained on user designs in the future. It is causing concerns about job displacement and the potential commodification of design leading to lower quality solutions and cost-cutting measures by corporations.

chasem.co3 min read

03LAUNCHES & TOOLS

IOS 18 AND IPADOS 18 UI KIT (FIGMA FILE)

This iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 UI kit for Figma includes components, templates, styles, and layout guides. It has features like color variables, customizable controls, and an improved iPadOS floating tab bar.

links.tldrnewsletter.com

3D WEB PLATFORM FOR LEARNERS AND CREATORS

Equimake is a free collaborative 3D web platform that offers an easy-to-use interface, free 3D assets, and support for up to 1,000 contributors.

equimake.comTool

DARK PATTERNS HALL OF SHAME

Learn about dark patterns and unethical designs. Stay informed and avoid manipulation in the digital world.

hallofshame.designTool

04MISCELLANEOUS

FACING OUR INTERFACES

Celebrating ten years of Material Design, Matías Duarte, founder of Material Design and Design VP, discusses its success and future, exploring how Material You enhances design personalization, allowing digital interfaces to achieve high quality and craft. Duarte talks about the challenge of limited user choice in digital software, emphasizing the vast potential for creativity and innovation in interface design.

design.google2 min read

THE BEST THINGS ABOUT WORKING IN UX

A survey of 126 UX practitioners highlighted the importance of fulfillment and meaningful work in UX, with 84 respondents valuing the impact of designing solutions that enhance everyday user experiences. Other key themes included a user-centric approach, creativity, continuous learning, collaboration, and the opportunity to contribute to ethical practices and accessibility.

nngroup.com6 min read

FOR STUDIO MUSE MUSE, BRANDING IS QUITE LIKE THE ART OF STORYTELLING

Founded by Lila Theodoros in 2012, Studio Muse Muse is an Australian creative branding and editorial studio specializing in storytelling and unique visual languages for each client. Drawing inspiration from Dadaism, street art, and personal playlists, the studio has worked with notable clients like The Dinner Ladies and Seedfolk. It has been featured in publications such as Monocle and Apartamento.

itsnicethat.com2 min read