Design Tools
Top storyTools·12 Oct
Decorative images aren’t a thing
The article argues that truly decorative images do not exist, proposing a decision tree to determine if an image conveys meaning or is merely filling space.
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7 min readIn this edition
Stories from Monday, 12 October 2026
UX & Thinking
UX Collective
ThinkingSecret agent bot: accessibility matters for the agents even if you can’t see them
Accessibility considerations extend to AI agents, even though they lack a physical presence, ensuring their design accommodates diverse user needs and interactions.
12 Oct
Design Tools
Sidebar.io
ToolsFluid functionalism
Fluid functionalism is a design philosophy where animations serve a functional purpose, using motion to convey information rather than for decoration.
12 Oct2 min read
MIT Tech Review · AI
AIRoundtables: A Conversation With the Creator of AI-Designed Viruses
Samuel King, a Stanford PhD student, utilized a generative AI model to propose genetic blueprints for microscopic viruses, raising questions about AI's potential to design new life forms.
9 Oct3 min read
UX & Thinking
UX Collective
ThinkingTesler’s Law: complexity moved to a different part of the journey
Tesler's Law, also known as the Law of Conservation of Complexity, posits that every system has an inherent amount of complexity that cannot be removed, only moved.
8 Oct
UX & Thinking
UX Collective
ThinkingSynthetic users are making me rethink “imperfect research”
Synthetic users are prompting a reevaluation of the concept of "imperfect research," suggesting a shift in how design professionals consider research methodologies and their limitations.
8 Oct
UX & Thinking
UX Collective
ThinkingWhy designers need to stop reporting and start recommending at work
Designers should transition from merely reporting observations to actively recommending solutions, providing clear direction instead of just presenting findings like sticky notes.
6 Oct
Design Tools
Editor's pick
The designer’s constitution
A designer's constitution, inspired by the Bauhaus curriculum, proposes a framework for designers to regain command over technology and material in the age of AI.
Sidebar.io