Visual Editor of The New York Times’ style section Tracy Ma talks about two of our favorite things: food and typography. We thoroughly enjoyed this typographical walk through New York’s Chinatown, and learned a lot about the cultural significance of the difference between Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese. Speaking about the Chinese diaspora, Ma writes:

“I don’t really know ‘home,’ but I know the longing for it, how it manifests through shared signs and symbols: glass jars with salted plum inside, a character in outlined neon that says ‘Wax.’”

Read the full story at eyeondesign.org.

We need to work on our co-dependant relationship with the digital world - and as the people who build it, it’s up to us to create products that actually serve us. A new proposal for digital design: “There when you need it, invisible when you don’t. It would be much better than what we believe today: There when you need it, incessantly begging you to come back when you don’t.”

Check out this interesting read from medium.com.

Sometimes you can’t decide which image is best to feature, so you settle on an image carousel to satisfy all stake-holders. The only problem is, a constantly changing image carousel can be distracting, and might be drawing attention away from the important content on your webpage. Learn more about the dangers of image carousels on hubspot.com.

When designing a website, it’s imperative to make sure that the first page your audience sees is compelling, clear, and tells them right away how to engage with your website. Hubspot has put together this great list of examples showcasing websites that do just this. Take a look and get inspired at www.hubspot.com.

We’re designing for people, and people are complicated.

Sometimes we forget when looking at our numbers that our “user” or “audience” is really just people. Check out this useful guide from Hubspot exploring how principles of psychology and design can give you an edge when it comes to your conversion rates and optimization efforts. Read the full guide on Hubspot.com.

Today in Tiny Design.

We’re suckers for beautiful design, even down to the smallest detail. We’re also massive music lovers and concert goers. Which is why we’re sharing this article about these adorably effective earplugs to wear to your next concert. They block out excessive volume while still letting you jam to the music. See the full list at npr.org.

This designer refuses to call people ‘users’

Interesting read from Medium.com, questioning the way that we use the term “users” when talking about UX/UI rather than “people.” It’s so important to remember that people are at the heart of everything we do, and that they are more complicated than abstract numbers, figures, or performance. Read the full story at medium.com.

This typography is inspired by dance.

It’s so important to keep your eyes open, look for inspiration everywhere, and collaborate with people from different creative mediums. The typeface Movement was created from a collaboration between designers and choreographers to stunning effect. Watch the choreography and see how it inspired this unique typography at AIGA’s Eye on Design blog.

Simple, clear, and effective CTA's.

After telling people your story, you have to tell them what you want them to do next. This is the essential role of your call to action. HubSpot has put together this useful list of great CTA examples, highlighting samples with great call-to-action phrases, CTA’s that balance using multiple buttons on one page, and simple and effective CTAs.

How design keeps our city standing.

We’re glad to know something beyond good looks is keeping these buildings standing! Learn more about how design keeps skyscrapers in the sky from Vox.com.

Ikea: Wildhomes for Wildlife by Mother

Thinking about your next up-cycle project? Neither are we. But! Ikea has us super inspired (and wishing we were more handy with a hand saw) with these beautiful “wildhomes” they produced in partnership with Mother. Learn more about the partnership on thedrum.com.

Did you know building and flying model airplanes is a sport?

As self-proclaimed documentary junkies, we’re excited for the film “Float” which introduces the world to an indoor sport that involves building and flying self-propelled model airplanes. Niche enough for you? The planes are beautiful, and also surprisingly soothing to watch float through the air. See for yourself at thisiscollossal.com.

Everyday Consumer Goods Are De-Produced Into Rectangular Prisms of Raw Materials.

Ever wanted to see your pencil broken down into little rectangles? Well, now you have. The creative design team Studio Drift has produced a series of sculptures breaking down everyday, mundane objects such as lightbulbs and bicycles into their fundamental elements. The project aims to build better awareness around the material costs of the things we use and ultimately dispose of. They are also just neat to look at. See for yourself at thisiscolossal.com.

Is design the solution to the Global Financial Crisis?

Interesting read from AIGA Eye on Design, investigates how businesses that are integrating creative design strategies into their overall business practices are becoming leaders in their field. Sounds about right to us.

Celebrating Women of Color in Design.

In a field that can be exclusionary and competitive, it’s important to amplify diverse voices. We love this article from AIGA Eye on Design that talks to women of color in design about their experiences, and explores how we can all create learning and professional environments that fosters growth for the whole community, not just the privileged few.

Why Designers Should Take Silliness Seriously.

Humor and play in design breaks us out of the ordinary - beyond what’s sleek and flashy and back to something uniquely human: laughter. Sometimes the best problem-solving comes from tackling a problem backwards. Starting with “the most incorrect, disastrous way” can “reveal all sorts of truths that wouldn’t be considered normally.” Check out how designers today are taking silliness seriously at AIGA Eye on Design.