Search the archive

MOST CREATOR-MADE ADS DON'T FOLLOW “BEST PRACTICES.” IS THAT A BAD THING?

Companies are spending $10.5 billion on influencer marketing this year, but CreativeX found nearly half of creator-made ads don't follow established best practices.

HOW OZZY AND BLACK SABBATH'S ALBUM ART CHANGED THE LOOK OF ROCK'N'ROLL FOREVER

Black Sabbath didn't just invent heavy metal's distinctive sound but also created the visual language that defines the genre today.

RUMOR: IPHONE 17 PRO COULD HAVE THREE UNEXPECTED CAMERA UPGRADES

A new anonymous tip claims the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro may feature major camera upgrades, including an 8x optical zoom lens, a pro camera app, and a new Camera Control button on the top edge, though these details remain unverified and speculative. Of the rumored features, the pro camera app seems most plausible, while hardware changes are more doubtful given Apple's typical leak patterns and past precedents.

RANGE ROVER “RECODES DNA” WITH NEW WORDMARK AND MOTIF

Range Rover has unveiled a refined wordmark and a new visual motif as part of Jaguar Land Rover's broader strategy to create distinct identities for each of its four brands, aligning with a wider trend in the luxury automotive sector to modernize visual identities for a digital-first, younger, and more diverse audience. This shift reflects broader industry changes driven by the rise of electric vehicles and evolving consumer expectations, though critics warn that many rebrands risk losing brand distinctiveness in the pursuit of minimalism and modernity.

OPENAI IS PREPARING SORA 2: AN AI MODEL WILL BE TAUGHT TO "SPEAK" IN VIDEOS

OpenAI is developing Sora 2, a significant upgrade to its text-to-video model that will integrate audio capabilities, including speech and environmental sounds. While the current Sora generates silent videos lasting over 20 seconds, Google's competing Veo 3 produces shorter clips with synchronized audio tracks. The audio-enabled competition between these AI video models could establish new creative standards while raising concerns about potential misinformation.

"THE INDUSTRY NEEDS TO SLOW DOWN": A DAY IN THE LIFE OF ALI MARTÍN FILSOOF

Ali Martín Filsoof, founder of LA-based Design Dept, brings a multicultural perspective and minimalist aesthetic to branding, drawing from influences in Tehran, Lima, and Los Angeles as well as Japanese and Swiss design principles. His studio emphasizes strategic, culturally resonant, and crafted branding over fast-turnaround and template-driven work, valuing curiosity, depth, and purpose in every project, from luxury packaging to pro bono street vendor identities.

DESIGN THINKING ISN'T DEAD – IT'S MORE CRUCIAL THAN EVER

While some in the U.S. claim that design thinking is dead, criticizing it as redundant or damaging, the approach continues to prove its value globally by emphasizing human insight, strategic problem-solving, and risk reduction in both commercial and public sectors. Rather than being obsolete, design thinking is evolving beyond screens and products to influence business, policy, and social impact, and it's business, not design, that risks falling behind if it fails to embrace this shift.

AI WON'T KILL UX — WE WILL

While AI offers speed and efficiency, its reliance on past data and patterns risks standardizing design and stifling originality, especially when adopted uncritically at the center of the creative process. To preserve meaningful, human-centered innovation in UX/UI, we must intentionally integrate AI as a supportive tool, not a replacement, while reinvesting saved time into exploration, education, and inclusive, forward-thinking design.

VISUALIZE WHAT MATTERS WITH AI

MyLens AI transforms your ideas and content into engaging visuals that are interactive, editable, and ready for presentation.

TURN YOUR SLIDES INTO INTERACTIVE AI PRESENTATIONS

Jotform's AI Agents can present slides and answer live questions to keep users engaged. Simply upload existing slides or generate new ones with AI.

THE SECRET TO GETTING REPEAT WORK AS A FREELANCER

When freelance work dries up, the best move isn't always chasing new clients, it's nurturing relationships with existing ones who already trust you and often provide the most rewarding projects. By staying in touch, being proactive, listening well, and occasionally just asking for work, freelancers can build long-term client partnerships that lead to more stability, more referrals, and ultimately, more fulfilling work.

STOP SCROLLING: KINETIC TYPOGRAPHY IS REDEFINING UX

Kinetic typography (moving text) is redefining digital UX, transforming from mere eye candy into functional communication. Advanced front-end frameworks, AI design tools, and social media's motion-heavy aesthetic have made animated text more accessible and expected. When used thoughtfully, moving text directs attention, paces storytelling, and creates delightful interactions that make interfaces feel alive.

THE DESIGNER'S GUIDE TO PROMPTS AND MODELS

Most designers write ineffective AI prompts, often requesting "beautiful buttons" without providing precise specifications or detailing every pixel unnecessarily. This guide recommends specific AI models based on work type, independence needs, quality requirements, and access preferences for context. Best practices include starting with design problems, providing context, leveraging AI beyond coding, and communicating design intent.

I VIBE-CODED A DOG BIRTHDAY APP. WE STILL NEED DEVELOPERS

A former developer tested whether non-technical users could build functional apps using vibe coding platforms Firebase Studio and Lovable.

LOVART AI IS THE NEW THREAT DESIGNERS DIDN'T NEED

Lovart AI is a $90-per-month design co-pilot that boasts award-winning creative team capabilities - it has attracted over 800,000 beta testers.

YOUTUBE SHORTS IS ADDING AN IMAGE-TO-VIDEO AI TOOL, NEW AI EFFECTS

YouTube is launching new generative AI features for Shorts creators, including an image-to-video tool that transforms static photos into six-second videos, as well as new AI effects for artistic transformations. The image-to-video feature, powered by Google's Veo 2 model, is rolling out this week in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with broader availability planned for later. YouTube also introduced AI Playground as a central hub for generative AI creation tools, accessible through the Create button for users in the same initial markets.

PROMPT, PROTOTYPE, PERFECT: FIGMA MAKE IS NOW AVAILABLE TO ALL USERS

Figma Make has moved out of beta and is now available to all users alongside other Figma AI features. The tool enables designers, product managers, and engineers to rapidly create high-fidelity prototypes, regardless of their technical background, thereby democratizing prototyping and improving cross-functional collaboration. Teams at Figma report that Make helps them explore ideas faster, align on product decisions more effectively, and reduce iteration cycles between design and development.

IOS 26 PUBLIC BETA NOW AVAILABLE WITH NEW DESIGN AND MORE

iOS 26 marks a major shift in Apple's software naming strategy, aligning version numbers across platforms with the calendar year, and introduces a sweeping visual overhaul called Liquid Glass, which features dynamic, glass-like UI elements and fluid animations. Alongside this redesign, iOS 26 revamps the Phone app with a unified layout, Call Screening to filter unknown calls, and Hold Assist to detect when someone returns to the line—enhancing both aesthetics and usability.

AI NEEDS UI

AI makes good UI more critical than ever. Visual interfaces often outperform text-only interactions in efficiency, accessibility, and user comprehension across various contexts. The most successful AI implementations integrate into existing UIs rather than replacing them with conversational interfaces, creating AI-augmented experiences.

UNDERSTANDING HOW TO TALK WITH EXECUTIVES IS A REQUIRED DESIGN SKILL

Designers frequently struggle to communicate effectively with executives, often losing their attention during meetings and failing to demonstrate business impact. Key strategies include keeping presentations concise, translating UX metrics into business terms that are scalable, and leveraging data visualization to enhance clarity. Effective executive communication has become a required design skill for career advancement and gaining approval for design ideas.

VANILLA MOMENTS

A quirky story about a car failing to start after buying vanilla ice cream illustrates a deeper truth: small, real-world behaviours—“vanilla moments”—can expose hidden flaws in even the best-designed systems. These moments highlight the value of observation over theory. Designers should approach their work with humility, curiosity, and a commitment to learning from how people actually interact with products in everyday life.

LO-FI EFFECTS

Apply lo-fi effects to your images and videos: dithering, halftone, gradients, patterns, and more.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND AD SPECS CHEAT SHEET

Instantly find the latest social media and ad specs in this searchable directory. Download ready-to-use templates with safe zones for any size.

IMPROVE YOUR PRODUCT IMAGE WORKFLOW WITH AI

All-in-one AI platform for bulk image editing: background removal, white background generation, compression, and SEO alt text.

THE HIDDEN COST OF POOR NAVIGATION: HOW INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE DIRECTLY IMPACTS BUSINESS METRICS

Poor website information architecture creates hidden business costs through lost revenue, increased support tickets, and users abandoning tasks when navigation fails. Companies like Wayfair increased category page views by 23% and conversions by 15% simply by restructuring navigation to match user expectations. Effective information architecture requires aligning the website structure with users' mental models through card sorting and user journey mapping, rather than relying on internal organization.

TINY SCREENS, BIG IMPACT: THE FORGOTTEN ART OF DEVELOPING WEB APPS FOR FEATURE PHONES

Despite common assumptions, flip phones, which can now feature 4G, WiFi, and app capabilities, remain significant, with over 200 million non-smartphones sold annually. Developers can tap into this underserved market through organic growth opportunities while adapting designs for small screens and keyboard navigation. Modern remote browser technologies, such as Cloud Phone and KaiOS, make building web apps for these devices easier than ever before.

ADOBE CLAIMS ITS AI TOOLS ARE 'COMMERCIALLY SAFE', BUT DOES THAT STACK UP?

Adobe markets its Firefly AI models as "commercially safe" because they're trained exclusively on licensed content.

BIG TECH'S AI PUSH IS GOING TO DEVOUR AD AGENCIES. OR IS IT?

AI technology is increasingly being used to create advertisements across social media and television, generating mixed reactions from critics who call them either genius or soulless.

TRANSFORM YOUR PHOTOS INTO VIDEOS AND REMIX YOUR PICS IN GOOGLE PHOTOS

Google Photos announced new creative tools that transform static images into six-second videos and artistic remixes using AI technology. The photo-to-video feature, powered by Veo 2, rolls out today, while Remix transforms pictures into anime and comic styles. A new Create tab, arriving in August, will centralize all creative features, including safety measures such as digital watermarks.

BUILD WITH YOUR TEAM, NOT AROUND THEM: REAL-TIME COLLABORATION IN WEBFLOW IS HERE

Webflow has launched real-time collaboration in private beta, enabling entire website teams, including designers, developers, and marketers to work simultaneously on the same page without handoffs or delays. This feature streamlines workflows, reduces bottlenecks, and enables faster, more integrated project delivery, with updates syncing instantly and providing visibility into who is working on what.

META'S NEURAL INTERFACE WRISTBAND READS YOUR MUSCLE SIGNALS TO CONTROL COMPUTERS

Meta has developed a neural interface wristband that utilizes surface electromyography to detect electrical signals from muscle movements, enabling users to control computers without physical contact. This breakthrough challenges traditional wearable design by eliminating setup friction, enhancing accessibility, and introducing new interaction models that could influence the future of AR, computing, and health tech.

PROTECT YOUR CREATIVITY FROM IDEA KILLERS

"Idea killers" are statements that prevent organizational change despite often containing poor logic. Common examples include "we tried that before" and "we don't do that here," typically said by those in positions of power. The solution involves preparing counterarguments and asking questions to examine the value of ideas rather than allowing dismissive statements.

A HOLISTIC FRAMEWORK FOR SHARED DESIGN LEADERSHIP

HOW TO SELL THE EUROPEAN ACCESSIBILITY ACT TO YOUR BOSS

As of June 28, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) made it legally mandatory for businesses selling in the EU to meet accessibility standards—or risk hefty fines from multiple member states. Beyond legal compliance, accessibility improves user experience, expands your potential customer base, and enhances product quality for everyone, making it a smart business decision, not just a moral one.

VISUALLY EDIT WEBSITES

TurboStyle helps you effortlessly adjust styles, update text, swap visuals, and explore design ideas right inside your browser.

WORKING APPS IN SECONDS

Blink is an AI coding agent that helps you build websites, web apps, and mobile applications.

DISCOVER WHICH AI IS THE BEST AT DESIGN

Design Arena enables the evaluation of AI design capabilities through direct comparisons. Community preferences shape the rankings. All voting data is public and verifiable.

THE PRODUCT TRIAD: DESIGN'S ROLE

The product triad organizes Agile product teams with one representative each from design, product management, and engineering working as equal partners. Based on IDEO's Desirable-Viable-Feasible framework, effective triads collaborate across all three aspects rather than maintaining siloed ownership. Designers contribute beyond just desirability by understanding business objectives, conducting user research, and collaborating closely with engineering to ensure feasible implementation.

STANDARDS LAUNCHES NEW SITE AND IS QUIETLY BUILDING THE INTERNET'S BRAND BACKBONE

Design software startup Standards has launched a new site showcasing published brand systems from top companies like Cash App, Mailchimp, and The Obama Foundation, marking a major milestone in its journey from a niche archival project to a fast-growing design platform. Born from the success of reissuing iconic style guides, Standards now serves over 1,000 companies, with 300%+ MRR growth—all while remaining fully bootstrapped.

FAIRPHONE 6 INTRODUCES MODULAR ADD-ONS AND NEXT-LEVEL REPAIRABILITY

The Fairphone 6 continues the company's mission to challenge disposable tech culture by offering a modular, repairable smartphone with a refined design, user-swappable parts, and solid mid-range performance. With features like a removable battery, upgradeable components, and at least five years of software support, it aims to extend device lifespan and empower users—proving that sustainability and usability can go hand in hand.

DISNEY AND NETFLIX ARE QUIETLY USING THE SAME GENERATIVE AI STARTUP – HERE'S WHY THE REST OF HOLLYWOOD IS CIRCLING

Disney and Netflix have both quietly adopted Runway AI's generative tools, with Netflix utilizing them for visual effects sequences in "The Eternaut."

I TRIED ADOBE'S FANTASY PREMIER LEAGUE LOGO GENERATOR, AND THE RESULTS ARE WORSE THAN MY SQUAD'S

Adobe's new Fantasy Premier League logo generator, part of the company's partnership with the English Premier League, proved disappointing, appearing to be just a generic Adobe Express template with Premier League branding.

NETFLIX STARTS USING GENAI IN ITS SHOWS AND FILMS

POLAROID JUST DROPPED THE MOST ICONIC ANTI-AI AD OF THE YEAR

Polaroid has launched a powerful anti-AI campaign to promote its new Flip camera, emphasizing the value of tangible, real-life experiences over digital saturation. The campaign uses nostalgic Polaroid imagery paired with provocative slogans like “AI can't generate sand between your toes” to highlight the emotional depth and authenticity of analog living. Strategically placed near tech hubs like Apple and Google offices, the campaign has resonated widely online, drawing praise for its aesthetic and timely critique of tech culture.

FIGMA ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING ROADSHOW

Figma launched its IPO roadshow, offering 12.5 million new shares, plus 24.6 million from existing stockholders, at a price range of $25 to $ 28 per share. The design platform company applied to list on the NYSE under the ticker "FIG" with significant investment banks leading the offering. Figma won't receive proceeds from existing stockholder sales, while underwriters have a 30-day overallotment option for additional shares.

AFRAID OF LOSING YOUR DESIGN JOB TO AI? THIS MCDONALD'S STORY MIGHT HELP YOU SLEEP BETTER

Fears that AI will replace creative jobs echo earlier anxieties about McDonald's touchscreen kiosks, which were expected to eliminate human roles but instead led to more jobs and higher sales by enhancing the customer experience. The key takeaway is that technology doesn't determine outcomes—organizations do. Design studios that use AI to amplify human creativity, not just cut costs, will thrive.

DESIGNING SOFTWARE FOR AI AGENTS

AI agents increasingly handle computing tasks but struggle with software designed for humans, creating opportunities to redesign systems for machine use. Web search APIs limit results and provide condensed snippets suited for human scanning, while agents could benefit from more comprehensive results and larger document summaries. AgentDB exemplifies agent-first design by utilizing UUIDs for instant database creation, storing databases as files rather than hosting them as services, and integrating with MCP servers to make data easily accessible as AI model context.

AI TOOLS + AI FLUENCY + HUMAN ADVANTAGE = AI-NATIVE DESIGNER

Product designers can thrive in the AI era by mastering three key areas: leveraging AI tools for faster shipping, developing AI fluency for designing probabilistic systems, and harnessing human advantages such as craft and creative direction. While AI handles routine tasks and generation, designers must evolve into orchestrators who provide vision, set constraints, and make high-level decisions that guide AI outputs. The future belongs to AI-native designers who combine technical literacy with uniquely human skills like strategic thinking, storytelling, and the ability to create memorable experiences that transcend generic AI outputs.

UX BITES

Find the best UX ideas, trends, and innovations at warp speed.

COPY CSS FROM ANY WEBSITE AND ITERATE WITH AI

Design UI with AI, upload a screenshot or describe the idea or UI you want, transform the design to code, and let AI generate the frontend code for you.