This new emoji is all of us in 2025 (1 minute read)
The new iOS update introduces eight new emojis, but the standout is “Face With Bags Under Eyes,” which perfectly captures the collective exhaustion of 2025. With droopy eyelids, dark circles, and a deadpan expression, this emoji resonates with overworked teachers, burnt-out workers, and tired parents alike. Already making waves online, it's being hailed as the unofficial symbol of modern-day burnout and is expected to become one of the most used emojis of the year.
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ChatGPT's Improved Image Generation is Now Available for Free (1 minute read)
ChatGPT's new viral image generator, known for Studio Ghibli-style recreations, is now available to free users with limits. Powered by GPT-4o, its rollout was delayed due to demand. OpenAI recently raised $40 billion, reaching a $300 billion valuation, marking the largest funding round for a private tech company ever.
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Here's the Switch 2's homescreen (1 minute read)
Nintendo has revealed a glimpse of Switch 2's home screen, which closely resembles the original Switch UI with only minor aesthetic tweaks. While there's no confirmation of customization features like those on PlayStation or Xbox, a dark mode option will likely return. Although the UI wasn't the focus of its recent presentation, Nintendo did highlight the console's upgraded specs, new features, and preorder details ahead of its June launch.
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“It's not easy” – designers reckon with economic pressures (7 minute read)
The design industry is under financial pressure as rising costs, increased taxes, and cautious client behavior create uncertainty. Industry leaders are noting tighter budgets and a slowdown in hiring. Despite these challenges, many professionals emphasize the importance of collaboration, demonstrating the value of creativity and staying adaptable to meet changing client needs in a shifting economic landscape.
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How To Argue Against AI-First Research (6 minute read)
Relying solely on AI-driven "synthetic" user testing can create misleading insights lacking customer context. AI should enhance, not replace, traditional UX research, which remains essential for understanding user needs and behaviors.
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Do We Really Need Icon Bounding Boxes? (4 minute read)
Bounding boxes ensure consistency but complicate the pixel-perfect design. Issues like excessive padding and loose gaps arise, requiring overrides. Alternative sizing approaches, such as height-based bounding or inherent width sizing, may improve scalability. Fixed sizes help accessibility but should be defined by the wrapper, not the icon.
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Generate Beautiful UIs (Website)
AI tool that turns prompts or screenshots into polished React apps, built on a top open-source library with 23k+ stars and 600k+ downloads.
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Center for Art and Advocacy: A Bold New Visual Identity (2 minute read)
The Center for Art and Advocacy's new identity, designed by Made Thought, balances institutional credibility with artistic freedom to support justice-impacted artists. Centered on the theme, "Empowering creativity that challenges the limits of incarceration," the rebrand includes a flexible logo, adaptive visuals, and a storytelling-driven website.
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The designer's handbook for developer handoff (12 minute read)
Effective collaboration between designers and developers requires designers to consider feasibility and developers to understand design intent. Focusing on alignment, implementation, design flexibility, and invisible states helps teams build better products.
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Fluid Workspaces: Is the Era of Prescriptive Office Design Over? (11 minute read)
Design is embracing fluidity, blurring boundaries between work, home, and leisure. Flexible spaces are redefining offices, retail, and industry, prioritizing adaptability and experience. Derwent London integrates hospitality into workspaces, Rains merges logistics with creativity, and Molteni&C transforms showrooms into lifestyle destinations.
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