Automated design; Subtraction; Investment internet
💡Think
I was given some incredibly useful feedback this week – when people ask me for feedback on something, I typically focus on what can be improved.
This is great, but what about what's going well? I tend to ignore this bit, which can come across as dismissive and look as if I'm not having a great time.
My focus is always on improving, hence the forward vision, but it's hard for others to know this. So the next time you're asked for feedback, make sure to include the positives right now as well as what can be improved 🙌
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p.s. I'm taking a week or two off from the newsletter. Back soon 👋🏻
📷 Look
📖 Read
❶ Software Is Automating Design. What Does That Mean For Designers?
Grab a tall drink for this one folks, as I'm sure we're not quite ready to think about what happens when most things are automated. Seriously though, what will people of all jobs need to be doing when this happens? This article from Andreesen Horowitz no less maps out a future.
❷ When subtraction adds value
I love this concept, because it's the kind of thinking that you force yourself into when playing those little puzzles you get in a Christmas cracker. The reality is that when we take on new tasks, we typically head straight into adding to what we have already (think about a new feature idea on an app), rather than thinking about what we can remove first. Maybe removing stuff can create a better experience? Think about he single field Google homepage for inspiration.
❸ The internet is just investment banking now
The headline of this article makes me itch a little bit, because it feels very real. The monetisation of everything is something I'm sure irks a lot of you, and with this web3/NFT acceptance from Twitter (hello, new profile picture shapes), it means that every part of our online lives is up for grabs, and people will definitely be looking to make a buck from it.
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Bonus round
Surviving in a world of information overload
🎧 Listen
Trusting your instincts
I'm a big fan of this concept, mostly because I don't think you can replace experience and good taste with research. That may be a warm take, but I do believe it. This podcast was a very firm validation of this notion, and the guest is great to listen to. She speaks about conflict management, decision making, and a brilliant concept called the "drama triangle" – me neither!
Listen to this podcast (1 hour 38 mins)