TLDR DesignNovember 12, 2024

TLDR DESIGN 2024-11-12

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01NEWS & TRENDS

THE NEW MSN LOGO FEELS LIKE A JOURNEY BACK IN TIME

Microsoft recently updated the MSN logo, bringing back the iconic butterfly symbol in a minimalist, retro-inspired design that resembles the 1999 original. The redesign aligns with a trend of tech companies reintroducing classic logos to evoke nostalgia. Some designers feel the new look is overly simplistic - the updated logo has sparked mixed reactions, with some appreciating the familiarity and others criticizing it as lacking innovation.

creativebloq.com3 min read

FIRST PAINTING CREATED BY HUMANOID ROBOT AND SOLD FOR AUCTION CLEARS OVER $1 MILLION

Ai-Da, an ultra-realistic robot artist, created a painting titled "AI God" depicting Alan Turing. Ai-Da draws and paints using advanced AI algorithms and a robotic arm. The painting was sold at Sotheby's for over a million dollars, marking a historic moment as the first art piece made by a humanoid robot to be auctioned. Designed by Aidan Meller, Ai-Da was created to spark discussions about the role of technology in modern society.

gizmodo.com2 min read

GOOGLE MAPS NOW LETS YOU PICK AND PAINT YOUR OWN VIRTUAL CAR

Google Maps is testing new vehicle icons, adding five new car types, including a sedan, SUV, Jeep, hatchback, and a model resembling a Tesla, and offering enhanced personalization with up to eight color options. The update maintains the original blue arrow and existing vehicle icons. As a leading navigation app, Google Maps continues to enhance the user experience. It recently introduced Gemini for natural language queries and improved lane guidance on Android Auto.

androidpolice.com2 min read

02OPINIONS & TUTORIALS

WHY THE IDEA THAT ‘ANYONE CAN DO USER RESEARCH' IS A BAD ONE

The misconception that "anyone can do user research" overlooks the specialized skills needed to ensure reliability, validity, and ethical standards. User research democratization aims to empower teams - untrained individuals risk undermining UX by lacking essential research skills and knowledge.

links.tldrnewsletter.com6 min read

APPLE, YOU'RE DOING THE DYNAMIC ISLAND WRONG

Apple's Dynamic Island cleverly repurposes inactive screen space by providing animations and visual elements for background activities like music. However, its interactions feel counterintuitive. Tapping on a Dynamic Island notification opens the app, taking users away from current tasks, while a long press accesses widget controls. This design choice undermines the Dynamic Island's multitasking potential.

tempertemper.net2 min read

NAVIGATIONS ON THE WEB

Both hyperlinks and buttons can be used for navigation. While links are traditionally associated with navigation, buttons within forms can also trigger navigation. Form submissions can guide users to new pages, just like links do.

blog.jim-nielsen.com2 min read

03LAUNCHES & TOOLS

FONT MANAGER APP FOR MAC

RightFont is a powerful, intuitive font manager for macOS that helps designers effortlessly organize, install, preview, and share fonts.

rightfontapp.comTool

DATAPOCKET (FIGMA PLUGIN)

DataPocket seamlessly integrates with Figma, enabling designers to access real-time data within their design environment. This integration streamlines workflows, ensures consistency, and enhances collaboration by incorporating live data directly into design systems.

links.tldrnewsletter.com

04MISCELLANEOUS

DESIGNING FOR DECISION MAKING: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF CHOICE

Dual-process theories in UX emphasize balancing intuitive and analytical thinking, where clear and concise design reduces cognitive load and prevents choice paralysis. Using principles like limiting options, anchoring, and choice architecture, designers can guide users effectively and enhance decision-making.

uxpsychology.substack.com8 min read

DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE PRICE TAG: SERVICEPLAN'S PACKAGING PUTS PENNY'S AFFORDABLE PRICES ON DISPLAY

German retailer PENNY, in collaboration with Serviceplan, has introduced minimalist packaging that emphasizes affordable prices as the primary design element. The design ensures easy brand recognition and product visibility by using a stable color palette, the retailers' signature "yellow dot," and the PENNY Akko typeface.

the-brandidentity.com3 min read

DESIGN SYSTEMS FOR THE AI ERA

The AI era demands a new design system that adapts dynamically to user needs beyond traditional visual styles. Microsoft's evolving “system of systems” integrates conversational AI, natural language commands, and adaptable controls, focusing on human patterns and trust. This future-ready system empowers seamless, personalized, and context-aware interactions.

microsoft.design9 min read