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AT THIS WHIMSICAL OSLO BAR, EVERY COCKTAIL HAS ITS DESIGN COUNTERPART

Oslo's Himkok bar's "Design by Sipping" menu pairs 13 cocktails with custom furniture and objects created by Studio Sløyd.

“MEMORY MAPS”: THE ART AND ANATOMY OF TAESEOK PARK'S HYPERREALISTIC MEMORY MAP TATTOOS

Vancouver-based tattoo artist Taeseok Park creates "memory maps" that transform clients' pivotal life moments into hyperrealistic geometric tattoos using personal references like photos and quotes.

FIGMA SHARES SLIDE AS FIRST POST-IPO RESULTS MISS PROFIT EXPECTATIONS

Figma's shares dropped over 13% after-hours following the design software company's first quarterly earnings since its July IPO, where it broke even despite analyst expectations of 18 cents per share profit. The company reported $249.6 million in Q2 revenue (up 41% year-over-year) and launched four new products, including AI-powered prototyping tools and website publishing capabilities. Figma forecasts Q3 revenue of $263-265 million and full-year revenue of $1.021-1.025 billion, with strong customer metrics, including a 129% net dollar retention rate.

MORE PIXEL PHONES ARE GETTING GOOGLE'S NEW LOOK FOR ANDROID

Google's September Pixel drop expands the Material 3 Expressive design to Pixel 6 and newer devices, plus the Pixel Tablet, bringing a more colorful look and new personalization features. The update also adds Pixel Buds Pro 2 upgrades like Adaptive Audio, Pixel Watch auto-Maps display, AI-powered Gboard suggestions, Bluetooth audio sharing, a refreshed Quick Share, and the new Androidify app.

NEW AI MODEL TURNS PHOTOS INTO EXPLORABLE 3D WORLDS, WITH CAVEATS

Tencent's HunyuanWorld-Voyager is an open-weight AI model that transforms single images into explorable 3D-consistent video sequences by generating RGB video and depth information simultaneously. The system allows users to define camera movements through virtual scenes, producing 49-frame clips that maintain spatial consistency and can be chained together for more extended sequences. However, the model requires substantial computational power and faces geographic licensing restrictions, preventing use in the EU, UK, and South Korea.

HOW TO MAKE PEOPLE LISTEN TO YOU

When designers feel ignored, they should investigate root causes rather than blame dysfunctional organizations, identifying mismatches between their expectations and leadership goals. Common reasons include low organizational design maturity, business models that prioritize speed over quality, working on ideas leaders don't understand, and a lack of established trust with team members. The recommended approach involves conducting "listening tours" with colleagues, treating them like customers to build charm and find allies, then demonstrating value through small wins that create stories of problem-solving success.

APPROACHING DESIGN IN THE AGE OF AI

AI product design should prioritize user needs over technology, avoiding the common trap of defaulting to chat interfaces when AI's real value lies in inference and reasoning capabilities. Misinformation and hallucinations require design solutions, including user control over data sources, robust feedback systems, and consideration of smaller language models for specific contexts. The current moment presents both unprecedented opportunity and responsibility for implementing responsible AI principles like transparency and safety during this technological watershed.

ADAPT OR DIE? WHEN TOTAL BRAND OVERHAULS WORK, AND WHEN THEY DON'T

Heritage brand rebrands often spark backlash, as seen with Tate & Lyle's Golden Syrup and Cracker Barrel, where consumers resisted changes to long-familiar packaging. Experts suggest this sensitivity stems from people seeking stability amid broader societal flux, with nostalgia acting as an anchor. By contrast, brands like Mailchimp thrive on reinvention, balancing playful experimentation with consistency to connect with creative audiences. Jaguar's bold 2024 overhaul shows that rebrands can succeed not by pleasing everyone but by provoking strong reactions and signaling deeper philosophical shifts, cutting through a saturated design landscape.

CREATE AND EDIT DIAGRAMS WITH AI IN SECONDS

Collaborate with AI to create amazing diagrams. Draw flowcharts, architecture diagrams, hardware schematics, mind maps, etc, in seconds.

STUNNING PRESENTATIONS AT THE SPEED OF THOUGHT

Ghost is the AI-native slide editor that helps you go from idea to deck in minutes.

SCREEN RECORDINGS REIMAGINED WITH MOTION

Elevate your videos by creating professional, modern animated recordings. Capture every frame with Motion.

WHAT DESIGNERS CAN LEARN FROM THE FIRST INTERFACE — THE HUMAN FACE

The human face serves as the original interface, offering immediate, cross-cultural communication through micro-expressions that evolved as survival mechanisms. Digital interfaces attempt to replicate facial communication through emojis, avatars, and video calls, but lose the authenticity and spontaneity that make faces so powerful. Designers can learn from facial principles like timing, subtlety, and trust-building rhythms to create more natural digital experiences that feel intuitive rather than requiring constant explanation.

CHAT IS: THE FUTURE OR A TERRIBLE UI

AI-powered chat interfaces divide opinions between those who see them as software's future and others who view them as terrible UI. Proponents argue that chat leverages existing user familiarity, captures intent through natural language, and eliminates interface learning curves. Critics counter that chat lacks clear affordances, poorly displays complex information, and creates cumbersome scrolling experiences that lose context over time.

THE DESIGN OF SHALLOW THINKING

Our capacity for deep thought has been eroded less by AI and more by how the internet's design has evolved. Early online spaces felt like destinations that encouraged exploration, long-form expression, and reflection, while smartphones, infinite feeds, and algorithm-driven platforms shifted us toward shallow, compulsive consumption. These patterns were shaped by business models built on maximizing attention, not by accident. Rethinking design to include boundaries, stopping points, and depth-focused features could help restore sustained attention and more meaningful engagement.

3D ARTIST GAL YOSEF REIMAGINS POP CULTURE LEGENDS IN UNIQUE BLEND OF PLAYFULNESS AND PROVOCATION

Israeli 3D artist Gal Yosef transforms beloved cartoon characters into provocative digital sculptures that blend childhood nostalgia with sharp social commentary.

THE NEW CONJURING: LAST RITES POSTER IS THE PERFECT HOMAGE TO A HORROR CLASSIC

The new Conjuring: Last Rites poster pays direct homage to the iconic Exorcist design, featuring Ed and Lorraine Warren half-lit under a streetlamp against a dark, grainy backdrop.

JACOB HUTCHINSON MERGES THE STRUCTURE OF SWISS TYPE WITH THE SOFT IMPERFECTIONS OF OLD STAMPS AND VINYL STICKERS

Sheffield-born designer Jacob Huchinson merges tactile vintage print aesthetics with digital media, creating structured yet nostalgic visual identities, album art, and motion graphics for musicians and brands.

NEW ‘VISION AIR': HERE'S HOW MUCH LIGHTER AND LESS EXPENSIVE IT MIGHT BE

Apple is reportedly planning a Vision Air headset for 2027 that will be over 40% lighter and more than 50% cheaper than the $3,499 Vision Pro. Expected to ship around one million units, it could cost about $1,500, making it more accessible, though still pricier than rivals like Meta Quest 3. To reach that price, Apple may reduce features such as cameras, display resolution, or EyeSight, while aiming to preserve the Vision Pro experience.

DISNEY WILL PAY $10 MILLION TO SETTLE FTC CLAIM IT USED CARTOONS TO COLLECT YOUTUBE DATA ON KIDS

Disney agreed to pay $10 million to settle FTC allegations that it violated children's privacy laws by incorrectly labeling cartoons on YouTube. The company left default "Not Made for Kids" labels on channels containing child-friendly content, such as "Frozen" and "Toy Story," which allowed for illegal data collection and targeted advertising to minors. Under the settlement, Disney must obtain parental consent for collecting children's data and create a review program for proper video labeling over the next decade.

AIRPODS MAX GET AN ELEGANT SOLUTION TO THEIR BIGGEST DESIGN FLAW

The AirPods Max have long lacked wireless charging, but Mophie's new $149.95 Max Charging Stand offers a sleek solution. The stand uses a magnetic USB-C adapter with a weighted base to charge the headphones while displaying them, and it also works with AirPods Pro or other Qi devices. While expensive and limited to the latest USB-C AirPods Max, it's seen as a practical and elegant upgrade until Apple builds MagSafe directly into future models.

PROMPTING IS A DESIGN ACT: HOW TO BRIEF, GUIDE, AND ITERATE WITH AI

Prompting AI should be treated as a design act, combining creative briefing with conversation design rather than simple instruction-giving. The WIRE+FRAME framework provides structure for effective prompting: WIRE (Who/What, Input Context, Rules/Constraints, and Expected Output) covers essential elements, while FRAME (Flow, Reference Style, Ask for Clarification, Memory, and Evaluate/Iterate) adds refinement. This framework transforms vague requests into detailed briefs that produce structured, actionable results comparable to professional design deliverables.

DEAR MARVEL, PLEASE STOP CHANGING THE AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY LOGO

Marvel's new Avengers: Doomsday logo, revealed at D23, has sparked a mixed reaction among fans. The design keeps the iconic Avengers emblem in grungy silver metal but adds a vivid green glow and matching “DOOMSDAY” text for extra impact. While some fans praised the update as bold and dynamic, others dismissed it as underwhelming or unnecessary, pointing out Marvel's habit of frequently tweaking its logos. With the film slated for May 2026, there's still time for more revisions, leaving the fandom divided but eager for what comes next.

MUSK THINKS UX AND CODING ARE THE SAME, THIS ABSURDITY LEADS TO CHAOS

Elon Musk's claim that AI has reached PhD-level intelligence but lacks common sense highlights the broader divide between techno-optimists and human-centered perspectives. Technology and society are inseparable hybrids, and rationality cannot exist without empathy. Engineers often operate in a “nature” bubble focused on code and data, while UX practitioners translate human needs into that world. Ignoring social and emotional dimensions risks creating technologies that work perfectly in theory but fail real people, making UX essential as a bridge between human complexity and technological precision.

SMART INSIGHTS FOR BUSINESS, STUNNING VISUALS FOR CONTENT CREATORS

From extracting trends in your data to visualizing global comparisons, StatPecker delivers quick, credible answers you can publish, present, or share with your team.

AI-POWERED DIGITAL CV

Create a profile and personal site in 30 secs. Generate resumes, cover letters, and find opportunities, all powered by AI.

THE AI MOTION DESIGNER

GoMotion is a cutting-edge AI model that generates professional motion design. Create scroll-stopping, motion-designed videos from a single prompt.

CAN DESIGN MAKE YOU HEALTHIER? INSIDE THE ARCHITECTURE OF WELLNESS

As wellness-focused Gen Z drives a $5.6 trillion market, architects are redesigning buildings to actively support physical and mental health rather than merely house activities. Projects like Cologne's Valentyns workspace and London's The Round development integrate natural light, biophilic elements, air quality systems, and wellness amenities that have measurably improved occupant health. This shift extends to urban planning through concepts like the 15-minute city, where walkable neighborhoods and human-centered design create environments that promote both individual well-being and community connection.

RETHINKING THE USER EXPERIENCE IN THE AGE OF MULTI-AGENT AI

Multi-agent AI systems use multiple specialized agents working together to deliver deeper, more contextual results, though this collaborative process can feel slower than traditional software. The perceived delay stems from behind-the-scenes reasoning and collaboration between agents, not inefficiency, requiring thoughtful user experience design to maintain trust and engagement. Organizations must rethink responsiveness standards, designing interfaces that make agent work visible, provide transparent feedback, and support natural multi-modal interactions to transform these systems from tools into collaborative teammates.

BIG HUG GETS A REBRAND FROM JDO THAT PUTS PURPOSE AT THE HEART OF CRAFT BEER

Big Hug, a UK brewer with a social mission, rebranded with JDO to strengthen its identity and scale its impact beyond goodwill. The new visual system, centred on the “World Hug” logo and the tagline “Brewing For Better”, unifies the range while highlighting each beer's cause, blending craft beer creativity with a clear, purpose-driven message to stand out in a crowded market.

HUMANS ARE BEING HIRED TO MAKE AI SLOP LOOK LESS SLOPPY

Freelancers are increasingly hired to fix botched AI-generated logos and content, creating a new category of work that pays less than traditional creative jobs.

HOW ERIKA HURST IS FIGHTING AI WITH AUTHENTIC, HAND-DRAWN JAPANESE PORTRAITURE

Film translator Erika Hurst launched the Japanese Portrait Collection to combat AI-generated art by connecting five skilled Japanese artists with global buyers for custom hand-drawn portraits.

0º OR 90º: A TECHNIQUE TO IMPROVE YOUR VECTORS

INSTAGRAM TESTS PICTURE-IN-PICTURE VIEWING FOR REELS

Instagram has begun testing a Picture-in-Picture (PiP) feature for Reels that allows users to continue watching videos in a floating window while using other apps, potentially improving engagement and multitasking. The test follows earlier hints from Instagram head Adam Mosseri and aligns Instagram with competitors like TikTok and YouTube, which already offer similar functionality. While currently limited to a small user group, the feature could help creators retain viewers for longer content and increase overall time spent on the platform.

THE DREADED MINIMALIST LOGO TREND CLAIMS ANOTHER FASHION VICTIM

& Other Stories has unveiled a new logo, replacing its chic, script-style wordmark with a minimalist serif design that many feel strips away the brand's personality. While the update improves legibility, critics argue it embodies a wider trend of generic, characterless rebrands that leave once-distinctive identities feeling flat.

KUO REITERATES TOUCH ID IN THE IPHONE FOLD; UNLIKELY TO BE IN-DISPLAY

Apple's first foldable iPhone, expected in 2026 at around $2,000, will likely feature Touch ID on the side button instead of Face ID due to thickness and cost constraints. An under-display sensor is unlikely. The device will have a 5.5-inch outer screen, a 7.8-inch inner display, a minimal crease, and multiple cameras.

BEYOND THE HYPE: WHAT AI CAN REALLY DO FOR PRODUCT DESIGN

AI tools show promise in product design but require strategic integration rather than wholesale replacement. It can enhance four key stages: idea generation through RAG systems that pull relevant context from focused documents, rapid prototyping for individual UI elements and micro-animations, visual experimentation as a creative sparring partner despite styling limitations, and large-scale data analysis that enables designers to process thousands of user responses efficiently. Rather than serving as an autopilot, AI functions best as a co-pilot that accelerates exploration, validates concepts, and handles repetitive tasks, allowing designers to focus on strategic thinking and creative problem-solving.

DESIGNING FOR EPHEMERALITY

Software inevitably dies despite builders' pride in creating seemingly eternal products. Designing for ephemerality means building with grace: ensuring data portability, leaving documentation artifacts, and treating longevity as a bonus rather than a guarantee. This approach shifts focus from chasing immortality to creating meaningful impact, embracing impermanence as a design principle that adds weight rather than diminishes value.

FROM PLAYTIME TO PRACTICE: DESIGNING AI WITH THE PROMPT COACH

Wise's design team has been exploring AI ahead of its Design Day, developing practical frameworks for prompting and even creating a witty “Prompt Coach” in Gemini to help colleagues improve their skills. By blending design thinking with AI, they've turned prompting into a teachable craft, showing that AI can complement and scale their work rather than replace it.

AI VIDEO GENERATOR FOR EASY VIDEO CREATION

Create captivating videos in just minutes with the power of AI. No prior video editing experience is needed.

STUNNING, AI-POWERED FORMS IN SECONDS

Nuraform is an AI-powered form builder that helps you create beautiful forms in seconds. Simply describe your form, and AI generates it in seconds.

RASTER TO VECTOR CONVERTER

Convert any raster image to crisp, scalable vectors with AI-powered smart grouping, layer naming, and industry-leading accuracy.

HOW CODING CAN IMPROVE DESIGN

Learning frontend development fundamentally changed this designer's approach by revealing the underlying layers and relationships in user interfaces beyond just visual elements. Understanding CSS, design tokens, and semantic HTML improved their ability to create scalable systems, design with accessibility in mind, and collaborate more effectively with developers through shared technical language. While the designer is not pursuing full-time development, the coding experience enhanced design practice by fostering empathy, curiosity, and cross-functional partnership skills.

A TRIBUTE TO GERMAN DESIGNER PETER SCHMIDT (1937 – 2025)

Peter Schmidt, who died this July at 87, was a pioneer of holistic branding in Germany, shaping iconic identities for Jil Sander, Grohe, HUGO BOSS, and more while elevating German design to international recognition. His legacy of timeless, purposeful aesthetics lives on through the Peter Schmidt Group, one of Europe's largest agencies, which continues to apply his philosophy and even uses a typeface based on his handwriting.

SAINT-URBAIN RECREATES CHILDHOOD MEMORIES IN MASSI'S ITALIAN DELI REBRAND

Saint-Urbain crafted Massi's brand identity from designer Ostroff's childhood memory, using Scopa card game characters, vintage Italian deli lettering, and warm, nostalgic palettes to create a playful yet authentic visual system. The result balances cultural resonance and craftsmanship with approachable charm, turning the restaurant into both a neighborhood anchor and a design success embraced by the community.

USING AIR TO BUILD: HOW INFLATABLE DESIGN IS REVOLUTIONIZING HABITABLE SPACES AND PRODUCT DESIGN

Inflatable design is transforming architecture and product development by offering lightweight, portable alternatives to rigid structures that can adapt to modern lifestyles, which demand flexibility.

FROM TAYLOR SWIFT TO CHARLI XCX, THE ALTERNATE ALBUM ART TREND HAS GONE TOO FAR

Taylor Swift's latest album, "The Life of a Showgirl," features nine alternative covers, exemplifying a trend where artists release excessive variants of album artwork.

PETER JUDSON'S CMYK MONOLITHS DANCE AROUND THE BOUNDARIES OF ART

Peter Judson's new series, Staring At Fields, uses pixel-art animations inspired by the CMYK palette to explore how colour, form, and sound interact to create fragile moments of harmony.

WAN-S2V: AUDIO-DRIVEN CINEMATIC VIDEO GENERATION

Wan-S2V is a new AI model that generates high-quality videos from static images and audio inputs. The system excels at creating cinematic content with realistic facial expressions, body movements, and professional camera work, suitable for applications such as dialogue, singing, and performance scenes. According to quantitative evaluations, Wan-S2V achieves superior performance compared to existing methods across key metrics, including video quality, expression authenticity, and identity consistency.

IPHONE 17 PRO CLEAR CASE MAY FEATURE REDESIGN AND POSSIBLY TINTED OPTIONS

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 lineup on September 9. Leaks suggest new case options, including a redesigned Clear Case. The case may feature dual lanyard cutouts and a partially transparent back with a prominent Apple logo. Tinted versions may be potentially released later as seasonal or limited editions.

INVESTORS ARE LOVING LOVABLE

Swedish startup Lovable is receiving unsolicited investment offers valuing the company at over $4 billion, just weeks after closing a $200 million round at a valuation of $1.8 billion. The vibe-coding platform has achieved over $100 million in annual recurring revenue, with more than 10 million projects built since its launch nine months ago. CEO Anton Osika isn't currently engaging with the investment interest, as the company isn't actively fundraising.