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New Microsoft Office Logo 🎨, Apple Mail App Redesign βœ‰οΈ, Amazon’s New Designer πŸ‘¨πŸ»β€πŸŽ¨

TLDR Design <dan@tldrnewsletter.com>

January 20, 1:08 pm

TLDR Design
Microsoft rebranded its office suite from Microsoft Office to Microsoft 365 and now to Microsoft Copilot 365, which is confusing β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ  β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ β€Œ 

TLDR

TLDR Design 2025-01-20

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News & Trends

The new Microsoft Office logo could be the most confusing rebrand of the year (yes, already) (6 minute read)

Microsoft rebranded its office suite from Microsoft Office to Microsoft 365 and now to Microsoft Copilot 365, which is confusing as the old name is still referenced. Critics see the change as unnecessary and part of a broader trend of companies making puzzling rebrands.
Gurman: Redesigned Apple Mail app coming to macOS in April (2 minute read)

Apple's redesigned Mail app, which features AI-powered message prioritization and categorized inboxes, will arrive on Mac with macOS 15.4 in April. Previously introduced on iPhone with iOS 18.2 and available in beta on iPad, this update aligns Mac users with other Apple devices.
Microsoft's Former Surface Design Chief Joins Amazon (2 minute read)

Ralf Groene, former head of design at Microsoft, has joined Amazon to lead design for its devices and services. He previously worked on the Surface line with Panos Panay, who recently moved to Amazon. Groene's move follows Pavan Davuluri's appointment as Microsoft's new Windows and Surface chief.
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Opinions & Tutorials

Designing Serendipity (11 minute read)

Gesture-based navigation, enhanced by AI, is revolutionizing digital interactions, reducing cognitive load, and offering personalized experiences. Serenwikity, an app designed to browse Wikipedia through AI-powered swipes, fosters serendipitous discoveries while balancing user control and AI augmentation. This innovation highlights the evolving intersection of design, development, and AI in modern digital products.
The Geography of Interface (5 minute read)

Spatial metaphors deeply influence how we navigate and understand digital spaces by borrowing from physical concepts like desktops and folders. While these metaphors initially aided digital adaptation, they may now limit innovation. We can develop more intuitive, non-physical navigation patterns, enhancing user experience by learning from game design and creating meaningful digital landmarks and hierarchies.
Stop building products for your imaginary users (8 minute read)

Focus on real users by talking to them, testing frequently, and solving actual problems rather than relying on abstract personas. Embrace the chaos of user behavior and iterate based on genuine feedback to build a product that truly meets their needs.
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Launches & Tools

Create and Personalize Videos in Seconds (Website)

Use AI to produce studio-quality videos in any language without a camera or crew.
Open Props UI (Website)

This CSS-only UI library allows you to copy and paste any component without installation.
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Miscellaneous

Turn on the Water Works: Why Emotion Fuels Creative Brilliance (11 minute read)

"Forward Thinking 2025" is a manifesto that emphasizes the emotional depth behind creativity, advocating for human-centered creative processes amid a data-driven landscape. Lucy Bourton highlights the importance of emotional connections in artistic endeavors, drawing from examples like Keith Brymer Jones and Molly Lewis, who integrate heartfelt expression into their work, enhancing audience engagement.
Beyond Alt Text: Overlooked Accessibility Features You Should Be Using (4 minute read)

Accessible design goes beyond basics like alt-text and color palettes. It involves straightforward navigation, color contrast, and multimedia for inclusivity. Using ARIA roles, captions, and improved forms enhances user experience. Implementing accessibility features early in the design process, using checklists, and conducting regular audits ensures compliance and broader audience reach.
The UX Reckoning: Prepare for 2025 and Beyond (14 minute read)

The UX job market has declined, with job postings down to 70% of 2021 levels and regression in UX maturity as businesses undervalue the field. To adapt, UX professionals should be flexible, build stakeholder relationships, and balance user and business goals while embracing AI responsibly.
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Quick Links

Is 2025 the Year of the β€˜Design Engineer'? (4 minute read)

The title "Design Engineer" represents a blend of design and development, often bridging gaps between these fields.
The Role of Illustration Style in Visual Storytelling (9 minute read)

Illustration enriches content by visualizing concepts, enhancing communication, and engaging diverse audiences through various styles like watercolor, cartoon, and vector.
Does Walmart's reaction suggest brand refresh has become a dirty word? (3 minute read)

A brand refresh makes minor updates, while a rebrand is a complete overhaul.

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Thanks for reading,
Jae Lee, Matej Latin & Ralph Brinker


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