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BEAUTIFUL THINGS

Discover the largest collection of 3D objects for Apple Vision Pro on Beautiful Things. Explore high-quality USDZ spatial computing models to enhance your AR experience across industries.

UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS

Sapiens is a curated collection of unique individuals across the internet, allowing them to be seen, appreciated, and connected.

MINI PHOTO EDITOR

A pure JS WebGL image editor with effects, filters, crop, perspective correction, and more.

WHY YOU NEED A PERSONAL BRAND IN A CROWDED JOB MARKET

In today's competitive job market, where roles often attract hundreds or even thousands of applicants, building a personal brand—especially through platforms like LinkedIn—can help job seekers stand out beyond their résumé. By consistently sharing content, showcasing expertise, and engaging with industry professionals, candidates can build trust, make meaningful connections, and even attract opportunities without applying.

WIKIPEDIA'S FASHION COLLECTION ACTUALLY LOOKS SURPRISINGLY COOL

Wikipedia has launched a fashion collaboration with sustainable brand Armedangels. Featuring recycled cotton garments such as T-shirts, hoodies, and caps that highlight facts, peace, and knowledge in a bold “cyber yellow” and “hyperlink blue” palette, the collection, titled “For Fact's Sake: Think Responsibly”, aims to promote truth and transparency in an age of misinformation. 12% of proceeds will go to the Wikimedia Foundation.

CELEBRATE 10 YEARS OF PERFECTLY ADORABLE POP CULTURE ART FROM SCOTT C

Scott Campbell, known for his colorful pop culture art series Great Showdowns, celebrates 10 years of work with "The Big Show," which opened on June 7 in New York City. The exhibition features over 100 original watercolor paintings, sculptures, and prints that span his career from various projects and life experiences. Campbell describes the show as encompassing all his creative worlds together for the first time. Coinciding with the release of his upcoming graphic novel, the exhibition runs through June 28, with the remaining pieces going online June 12.

PENTAGRAM CRAFTS A SMART, ELEGANT IDENTITY FOR AI VIDEO PIONEER TWELVELABS

Pentagram has created a new visual identity for AI video company TwelveLabs centered around the concept of "video as volume" rather than traditional frame-by-frame processing.

ARTISTS USED GOOGLE'S GENERATIVE AI PRODUCTS TO INSPIRE AN INTERACTIVE SCULPTURE

Google Labs has partnered with Brooklyn design duo Wade and Leta to create "Reflection Point," an interactive mirrored maze sculpture unveiled at Rockefeller Center.

APPLE NAMES 2025 DESIGN AWARDS WINNERS

Apple announced the winners of its 2025 Design Awards just before WWDC, recognizing 12 apps and games across six categories. The winners primarily consisted of indie apps and startups, with generative AI apps notably absent for the second consecutive year. Notable winners include Watch Duty for Social Impact, which provides wildfire information during California emergencies, and Play for Innovation in developer prototyping. Apple emphasized how developers utilized its tools to create better user experiences rather than focusing on AI-centric applications.

INTRODUCING OUR DEV MODE MCP SERVER: BRINGING FIGMA INTO YOUR WORKFLOW

Figma announced the beta release of its Dev Mode MCP server, which integrates Figma directly into developer workflows to enable design-informed code generation. The server works with agentic coding tools like Copilot, Cursor, and Claude Code by providing design context through the Model Context Protocol standard. It offers pattern metadata, screenshots, interactivity examples, and content details to help LLMs generate code that matches codebase patterns and design intent. Future updates will include remote server capabilities and deeper codebase integrations based on user feedback.

GEMINI APP GETS UI TWEAKS, SWIPE LEFT TO LAUNCH LIVE GESTURE

Google has updated the Gemini app, introducing UI tweaks like a swipe-left gesture to launch Gemini Live and reverting the plus menu back to a vertical list layout. The prompt bar has also been updated, reordering chips to place Video (Veo) first and introducing a new Canvas icon featuring a split circle. While the swipe gesture remains in beta, other updates, including compact menus and visual refinements, are now live in the stable Google app.

AI IS FLIPPING UX UPSIDE DOWN: NAVIGATING THE NEW ERA OF DESIGN

AI is fundamentally disrupting UX design by shifting focus from traditional visual interfaces to AI-first systems that minimize or eliminate complex UIs. Tools like Figma risk obsolescence as AI generates interfaces from simple prompts, while conversational and predictive systems handle user interactions behind the scenes. UX professionals must evolve beyond pixel-perfect design to embrace strategic AI integration, developing prompt engineering and AI analytics skills. The transformation presents opportunities for designers who adapt by treating AI as a collaborative partner rather than viewing it as a threat to traditional design methods.

YOUR MANAGER IS NOT YOUR BEST FRIEND

Commiserating with direct reports may feel natural, but it's highly corrosive to team trust and organizational cohesion, subtly encouraging division, victimhood, and poor cross-team collaboration. Instead, effective managers should take a therapist-like approach—empathetic but curious and objective—using questions, perspective, and clear frameworks to steer conversations toward constructive action rather than shared grievances.

WHY IS QUALITY SO RARE?

True quality remains rare despite rapid advances in technology and scale because the pursuit of craft—deliberate, caring attention to detail—has been sacrificed for speed, cost, and metrics. Yet quality is a choice: when individuals and teams intentionally center care, taste, and belief in their work, they create products that feel right, resonate deeply, and succeed organically.

CREATE BEAUTIFUL WEBSITES WITHOUT ANY CODE

With Tilda's intuitive format, you can quickly build a new website, online store, landing page, or blog.

SHARE AND DISCOVER TOP DESIGN WORK

Copy design assets in one click or upload yours straight from Figma.

MAKE A STUNNING PERSONAL SITE

Pop Site gives you stunning prebuilt sections to build your site effortlessly. Just pick, customize, and publish.

BRANDON DROPS THE AGENCY SPEAK WITH NEW IDENTITY

COMMON PROBLEMS WITH DESIGN PATTERN LIBRARIES

Design pattern libraries face critical challenges, including inconsistent component usage across teams, weak governance and maintenance, accessibility gaps, and disconnected workflows that create implementation drift. Solutions involve establishing clear documentation with usage guidelines, implementing strong governance frameworks with semantic versioning, building accessibility audits directly into components following WCAG standards, and connecting libraries to development workflows through code-synchronized tools.

THE UX BUTTERFLY EFFECT

The design of social media platforms like TikTok, driven by feedback loops to maximize user engagement, has led to significant unintended consequences including worsening teen mental health, environmental degradation, and social isolation. Tools like systems maps, impact ripple canvases, and iceberg visuals help designers anticipate these broader effects by making visible the complex, often hidden, relationships within systems.

PHYSICALITY: THE NEW AGE OF UI

There are a lot of rumors of a big impending UI redesign from Apple.

IS DARK MODE BETTER FOR YOUR EYES? PROS, CONS, AND EXPERT INSIGHTS

Scientific research shows no universal consensus on dark mode's superiority, with proper screen ergonomics and brightness adjustment often being more important than the color scheme.

THE 50 GREATEST DESIGNERS TEACHES YOU THE DESIGN HISTORY YOU DIDN'T KNOW

The coffee table book "The 50 Greatest Designers: The People Who Have Created Our Environment" profiles 50 designers, spanning from Victorian pioneer William Morris to Apple's Jonathan Ive, deliberately including diverse voices, like Korean typographer Ahn Sang Soo, and ensuring that half the featured designers are women.

ADOBE FINALLY RELEASES PHOTOSHOP FOR ANDROID, AND IT'S FREE (FOR NOW)

Adobe has released Photoshop for Android in beta. The iPhone version was launched in February. The free beta includes core desktop features like masks, layers, clone stamps, and generative AI tools for object removal and content insertion. Unlike previous mobile attempts like Photoshop Express, this version offers comprehensive functionality, though it lacks filters and pixel-based cropping. Adobe hasn't revealed pricing details, but expect a subscription model similar to Lightroom mobile once the beta period ends.

EPIC IS MAKING IT EASIER TO CREATE METAHUMANS

Epic Games' MetaHuman Creator has been integrated directly into Unreal Engine 5.6, eliminating the need for separate tools. The updated system extends face-authoring capabilities to full body creation with fine-tuned parameters for comprehensive character development. Developers can now sell their MetaHumans on Epic's Fab marketplace and use real-time animation with consumer webcams. New licensing options allow MetaHuman to be used in competing engines like Unity and Godot, plus creative software, including Maya and Blender.

NBA FANS THINK ORLANDO MAGIC'S NEW LOGO HAS LOST ITS SPARKLE

The Orlando Magic have revealed a new visual identity—including jerseys, court design, and a modernized logo—for the first time in 14 years. The rebrand has divided fans who feel it plays things too safe. While the updated look aims for clean, contemporary appeal, many critics argue it lacks the boldness and uniqueness needed to resonate with a passionate fanbase.

THE TEMPLATE TRAP: HOW TEMPLATE CULTURE IS DUMBING DOWN UX

The UX field increasingly relies on templates and frameworks as universal solutions rather than adaptable starting points, undermining critical thinking. Social media amplifies this "template trap" by spreading decontextualized tools that newer practitioners adopt without proper evaluation or modification. This overreliance risks force-fitting solutions, missing contextual nuances, and collectively lowering professional standards in UX work. The solution involves starting with clear goals, evaluating template alignment, seeking real-world applications, and making deliberate modifications to reclaim intellectual rigor.

THE NEW MANDATE: DESIGN LEADERSHIP IN AN AI-NATIVE WORLD

Design leaders can no longer wait for permission or clarity in an AI-native world where intelligence has moved into the interface. AI-native products require systems-level thinking, with designers shaping system behaviors, ethical boundaries, and interaction architecture rather than just polishing surfaces. The shift demands moving from execution to direction, refinement to authorship, as design becomes a strategic co-author of products rather than a support function. Design leaders must proactively shape conversations, roadmaps, and how intelligence behaves, leading from the future rather than waiting for invitations to participate.

CREATE VIDEOS AND IMAGES IN SECONDS

Everlyn is the world's fastest and lowest-cost video and image agent. It enables users to transform ideas into videos and images instantly.

CUSTOM AI CHATBOTS

Transform your customer support with AI agents trained on your business data. Provide instant, personalized responses 24/7 while reducing support costs.

COMPONENT CMS WITH AB TESTING AND PERSONALIZATION

Croct's component-based headless CMS simplifies product optimization and helps product teams scale experimentation without relying too heavily on developers.

WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE TO OTHER CREATIVES? IT'S PROBABLY NOT WHAT YOU THINK

Success in the creative industries is shifting away from traditional benchmarks, such as prestigious roles and high salaries, toward more personal and meaningful goals, including freedom, balance, impact, and joy. Creative professionals in 2025 increasingly define success by autonomy, emotional fulfillment, and the ability to live in alignment with their values, rather than by titles or income alone.

COASTAL COOL: GAGE ROADS HUEY'S LAID-BACK BRANDING AND PACKAGING DESIGN

Gage Roads' "Huey" Coastal Lager features nostalgic, coastal-inspired branding with retro typography and a charming seagull mascot, reflecting the brewery's Fremantle roots and connection to the sea. Every design element—from the clear flint bottle to the metallic gold 6-pack wrap—was carefully crafted to evoke a relaxed, sun-soaked, and natural coastal experience.

A PRACTITIONER'S JOURNAL ON NAVIGATING UX IN THE AGE OF AI

As AI transforms tools, workflows, and user expectations, UX design is shifting from interface-centric practices to dynamic, system-level thinking, emphasizing personalization, ethical responsibility, and cross-functional collaboration. The future of UX lies in designing with AI agents, multimodal interactions, and ambient technologies, demanding that designers act not just as creators but as ethical orchestrators of human-centered, intelligent systems.

THIS NODE-BASED CREATIVE AI APP IS CHANGING HOW ARTISTS WORK

FLORA represents a shift from convenience-focused AI tools toward giving artists deliberate control over their creative process, positioning itself as a bridge between AI capabilities and traditional artistic workflows.

ILLUSTRATOR YVIE JOHNSON IS ON A MISSION TO LIGHT UP THE SHADOWS OF THE PSYCHE

Illustrator Yvie Johnson's work includes illustrating for Women Enabled International at COP27, portraits of disabled gods and goddesses, and projects supporting mental health charities.

8 AI SKILLS YOU NEED TO LAND YOUR DREAM DESIGN JOB, ACCORDING TO THE PROS

To land a design job in 2025, it's essential to understand and work thoughtfully with AI, not as a replacement, but as a creative partner that accelerates ideation and execution.

BING LETS YOU USE OPENAI'S SORA VIDEO GENERATOR FOR FREE

Microsoft has integrated OpenAI's Sora video generator into its Bing mobile app, offering free access without requiring a ChatGPT subscription. The Bing Video Creator allows users to generate five-second vertical videos through text descriptions, with standard and fast generation options available. The feature is rolling out globally to Android and iPhone Bing apps, with desktop support coming later. While the video quality shows limitations compared to competitors like Google's Veo 3, it provides accessible AI video generation for mobile users.

CHATBOT PLATFORM CHARACTER.AI UNVEILS VIDEO GENERATION, SOCIAL FEEDS

Character.AI has launched multimedia features, including AvatarFX video generation, which allows users to create talking videos of AI characters with custom voices and dialogue. The platform introduced Scenes and Streams for collaborative storytelling and a social feed for sharing character-generated content. While Character.AI blocks real people's photos and watermark videos, concerns remain about potential deepfake abuse, given the company's history of safety issues. The features expand beyond the platform's original text-based chatbot format to offer more interactive character experiences.

GOOGLE QUIETLY PAUSED THE ROLLOUT OF ITS AI-POWERED ‘ASK PHOTOS' SEARCH FEATURE

Google has paused the rollout of its AI-powered “Ask Photos” feature due to concerns over latency, quality, and user experience. The tool, which uses a custom version of Google's Gemini AI, was designed to help users search their photo libraries using natural language queries, but is being refined after underwhelming performance. This marks another instance of Google halting AI features shortly after launch, reflecting ongoing challenges in deploying reliable AI tools amid intense industry competition.

HOW TO “BREAK” YOUR DESIGN SYSTEM RULES WITHOUT CREATING CHAOS

Design systems should serve as flexible frameworks rather than rigid rulebooks, with effective rule-breaking requiring a deep understanding of underlying principles and collaborative governance. Modern organizations are shifting from "Pattern Police" to "Empathic Sherpas," who treat design systems as evolving infrastructures accommodating thoughtful innovation. Successful rule-breaking involves structured contribution models, transparent processes, and collaborative frameworks that turn deviations into systematic improvements.

REINVENT THE WHEEL

While often well-intentioned, the advice to "not reinvent the wheel" can stifle curiosity and hinder deep learning, especially in fields like software engineering, where rebuilding foundational tools fosters true understanding. By exploring, experimenting, and even failing, individuals not only learn how systems work but also uncover new possibilities, making reinvention a valuable path to both personal growth and innovation.

ARE SOCIAL MEDIA PILE-ONS STIFLING THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY?

The backlash to GF Smith's rebrand highlights how social media criticism in the design industry can quickly shift from constructive debate to toxic, personal attacks—often fueled by unrealistic standards and hidden biases around race, class, and tradition. While open critique is vital, unchecked negativity risks discouraging bold creative decisions and ultimately harms the industry by making clients afraid to innovate.

REFERENCES AND TOOLS FOR DESIGNERS

SearchSystem is an ever-growing collection of references and tools for designers.

FREE AI-POWERED PHOTO EDITOR

Create professional, stunning visuals with PxBee's free AI photo editor. Easily remove backgrounds, change scenes, and elevate photo quality in seconds.

DESIGN, GOVERN, AND ORCHESTRATE ALL AI AGENTS

Boomi Agentstudio is a full agent lifecycle management solution that empowers organizations to design, govern, and orchestrate all AI agents at scale to responsibly unlock hyper productivity.

HOW TO CREATE AN IMPRESSIVE PRODUCT DESIGN PORTFOLIO

Product design portfolios are essential for job applications, with 90% of hiring managers requiring strong portfolios from entry-level candidates. A quality portfolio should include 1-5 case studies showcasing your design process, a home page, an about section, and contact information on a professional website. Each case study should tell the project story from research to the final product, starting with the polished result to create an immediate impact.

THE DEATH OF WEB DESIGN: WHY WEBSITES WILL SOON AUTO-DESIGN THEMSELVES

AI-powered websites will soon design themselves in real time, adapting layouts, copy, and user experiences based on live performance data rather than static design decisions. Traditional web design roles will shift from pixel-pushing to systems thinking, with designers becoming "experience composers" who set behavioral rules and ethical boundaries for AI optimization. The future web will feature dynamic experiences that morph based on user context, behavior, and performance metrics, making static design files obsolete.

AI IS COMING FOR OUR DESIGN JOBS, BUT IT CAN'T TOUCH TASTE

While AI is accelerating design processes and may threaten entry-level roles, it cannot replicate human discernment, taste, or the ability to make intentional, context-driven design decisions. As the industry evolves, designers who cultivate critical thinking, creativity, and a strong point of view will remain valuable in a landscape where human-centered design still matters.

"A LOGO IS A KALEIDOSCOPE OF MEANING": WHY LOGOS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOU THINK

Logos function as cultural touchstones embodying values, purpose, and movement beyond graphic marks, creating deep emotional connections through memories and experiences.