The Importance of Speed in UX and SEO

Website speed is no longer just a technical metric; it has become a significant factor in both user experience and search engine visibility. A slow website not only frustrates users but also affects your rankings on search engines like Google. Studies show that 40% of users will abandon a website that takes more than three seconds to load.

“Speed is critical because it touches every part of the digital ecosystem. When your website loads quickly, users are more engaged, bounce rates decrease, and conversions rise,” says Aymen Loukil, an international SEO and web performance consultant. “When it comes to SEO, faster websites rank better—especially on mobile, where performance is key.” Loukil offers a useful website analysis tool called Speetals, which I recommend you try. It will give you data on any issues your website may have.

The key to understanding the relationship between speed and SEO lies in Google’s Core Web Vitals. These include Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), which measures loading performance; First Input Delay (FID), which measures interactivity; and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS), which focuses on visual stability. “The user experience metrics matter for SEO more than ever,” says Dave Lull, a former UX designer with 35 years of experience. “Good UX practice isn’t just about ease of use—it’s about speed, structure, and being able to resolve tasks quickly.”

The Business Case for Web Performance

For business executives, slow websites can have significant consequences. “A one-second delay in page load can lead to a 7% reduction in conversions,” Loukil adds. “For large businesses, that’s a staggering number in lost revenue.”

Richerd Ho, a web consultant, points out that fast-loading websites also build user trust and drive long-term loyalty. “Web performance directly impacts the trustworthiness of a brand. If a site is slow or buggy, users lose confidence, and this influences their decision-making process.”

For e-commerce giants like Amazon, this is especially critical. Amazon discovered that a mere one-second delay in load time could cost the company $1.6 billion in sales annually. It’s clear that speed matters at scale, but it also matters for smaller businesses seeking to compete.

Core Web Vitals and Their Impact on SEO

Google’s Core Web Vitals have become central to the conversation around SEO and UX, impacting how websites are ranked in search results. These metrics—LCP, FID, and CLS—are essential for understanding how a website’s performance affects both user experience and its position in search results.

“Core Web Vitals are not just a set of arbitrary metrics—they are real indicators of how users interact with your website,” Aymen Loukil explains. “Optimizing for these metrics means you’re optimizing for both search engines and users, which is a win-win.”

Web designer Jan Aaron Lim adds, “To improve your website’s user experience, you must prioritize mobile responsiveness, clean navigation, and optimized images. It’s not just about speed in the technical sense but about how users perceive that speed. Is the experience seamless?”

The Technical Foundation: What Makes a Fast Website?

Improving website performance involves addressing a number of technical issues that contribute to slow load times. The following strategies are essential for optimizing performance:

1. Optimize Images: As Jan Aaron Lim points out, “Large, uncompressed images are one of the most common issues behind slow websites. Optimizing images using formats like WebP or AVIF can drastically reduce load times.”
2. Minify CSS and JavaScript: “Excessive JavaScript and CSS files can delay the rendering of the page,” says Loukil. “Minifying and deferring non-critical assets is crucial to speeding up the site.”
3. Leverage Browser Caching: By enabling browser caching, businesses can reduce the load time for returning visitors. This is especially important for larger sites with repeat traffic. Aymen Loukil explains, “Caching is one of the easiest ways to improve performance. It allows browsers to store frequently used assets locally, speeding up subsequent visits.”
4. Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): “CDNs can significantly reduce latency by serving your site’s assets from locations closer to the user,” says Ho. “For international sites, this is crucial for delivering a fast experience globally.”
5. Time to First Byte (TTFB): “Improving your server response times is key to reducing TTFB,” says Loukil. “This is the time it takes for a browser to receive the first byte of data from the server, and a lower TTFB can improve overall page speed.”
6. Use Real User Monitoring (RUM): Loukil explains that while synthetic tools like Google Lighthouse are useful for debugging, real user monitoring (RUM) offers more accurate data on user experiences. “With RUM, you’re seeing exactly how users interact with your website in real-time, which provides insights you can’t get from lab simulations alone.”

Mobile-First Optimization: A Crucial SEO and UX Factor

With mobile devices now accounting for over half of all internet traffic, optimizing your site for mobile performance is no longer optional—it’s essential. Google’s mobile-first indexing further underscores the importance of ensuring that mobile sites perform just as well as their desktop counterparts.

“A website that loads quickly on desktop but is slow on mobile is missing the mark,” says Oli Gardner, co-founder of Unbounce. “When designing for mobile, you have to consider the limitations of mobile devices—smaller screens, slower processors, and varying network conditions. The same rules that apply to desktop don’t always work for mobile.”

Rijashah, a freelance UX designer, agrees, emphasizing the importance of responsive design and mobile-optimized content. “Good UX design is about meeting users where they are. Today, that means optimizing for mobile as much as for desktop. A clean, responsive design that loads quickly will always outperform a site that’s slow and clunky, regardless of how good the content might be.”

UX Design and Its Role in Website Performance

The connection between UX design and performance is clear: better user experiences lead to longer time on site, lower bounce rates, and higher conversion rates. “The user experience starts the moment a page begins to load,” says Dave Malouf, co-founder of the Interaction Design Association (IxDA). “If a page is slow or doesn’t behave as expected, the user is already frustrated before they’ve even had a chance to interact with your content.”

Good UX practice includes intuitive navigation, fast interactivity, and stability. As Richerd Ho points out, “Navigation is the backbone of user experience. If users can’t find what they’re looking for quickly and efficiently, they’ll leave. Clear, well-structured navigation combined with fast load times is essential.”

Moreover, design elements like whitespace and content organization can have a significant impact on how users interact with a website. “Well-spaced, organized content helps users scan a website more effectively, reducing frustration and enhancing the overall experience,” says Jan Aaron Lim.

Anticipating User Demands

As technologies like 5G continue to roll out, user expectations for fast, responsive websites will only increase. “People are becoming more impatient, and the margin for error in web performance is shrinking,” says Loukil. “With advancements in AI and predictive loading, we’re seeing websites that can adapt dynamically to user behavior and device capabilities, delivering an experience that feels almost instant.”

In addition, the rise of voice and visual search means that optimizing for speed is not just about text and images anymore. “These are new frontiers in SEO, and sites that embrace these technologies early will have a competitive advantage,” says Ho.

Speed as a Strategic Priority

Website performance is not just a technical issue—it’s a strategic imperative. “Businesses must prioritize speed if they want to succeed online,” says Loukil. “Faster websites lead to better user experiences, higher search rankings, and more conversions. It’s as simple as that.”

For business executives, UX designers, and SEO experts alike, the message is clear: a faster website is not just better—it’s essential for success. As Dave Malouf puts it, “In the end, good user experience is about meeting user expectations. And in 2024, that expectation is for speed.”

With the rise in prices and the introduction of AI-powered tools such as the Magic Studio, Canva has sparked a fierce debate over the value of technology, the future of design, and whether small businesses can keep up in an increasingly tech-driven world.

The Massive Price Hike: A Game Changer

Canva’s price increase has shocked many users who had grown accustomed to its affordable pricing. In the U.S., the cost of Canva’s Teams subscription has jumped from $120 per year to a staggering $500 annually, while Australian users have seen the price leap from $480 AUD to $2,430 AUD for five users. This eye-watering hike has caused outrage, with many small businesses and freelancers feeling priced out of the platform.

Veronique Palmer, a small business advocate and long-time Canva user, encapsulated the sentiment of many in a recent post: “Huge Canva price hike! It seems to be the MO of the tech giants now. They’ve over-invested in AI and now expect the public to foot the bill. I think those execs are missing something fundamental. The creative ability is core to who we are as human beings. We need to use our brains to make pretty things, to write, to build. AI has some advantages to the man on the street I suppose, but we as a species are meant to create. Why should we be forced to pay for something we don’t use on this platform?”

Palmer’s frustrations are not isolated. Canva has long been seen as an affordable alternative to more expensive design platforms like Adobe, and many users feel that the sudden price increase has turned the platform into something inaccessible to the small businesses and freelancers who made it popular in the first place.

Small Businesses on the Brink

For small businesses, the steep price hike is more than just an inconvenience — it’s a potential financial burden that could push them away from Canva altogether. Many small business owners have voiced their frustrations online, with some announcing plans to cancel their subscriptions or downgrade to Canva’s Pro plan to avoid the increased costs.

Charley Bradbury, a virtual assistant who relies heavily on Canva for her business, expressed her concerns: “Did anyone else get a nasty surprise from Canva yesterday? I ended up downgrading the account for one of my clients. Small business owners simply cannot afford these price hikes. Let’s watch this space to see what functionality we lose over the coming months.” Bradbury’s story is becoming increasingly common as more users adjust their subscriptions or look for alternatives in the face of Canva’s new pricing model.

Canva’s Teams subscription was designed to help businesses collaborate and create designs more efficiently. However, with prices now starting at $10 per user per month — and a minimum of three users required for the Teams plan — small businesses are questioning whether they can justify the cost. Many are turning to Canva Pro as a more affordable option, but even that has left some users frustrated.

Penelope Silver, a social media manager, explained: “Canva Teams now costs $10 per user per month. This means small businesses are hit hard. The cost jumped from $119.99 to $300 in the first year, then $500 annually. Canva says it’s due to new AI features like Visual Suite and Magic Studio, but this aggressive pricing strategy has led to frustration and cancellations from long-time users.”

Silver’s experience is not unique. The steep price increase has sparked a broader conversation about the sustainability of subscription-based software for small businesses and the role AI features should play in determining pricing.

The AI Factor: Is It Worth the Cost?

At the heart of the price increase is Canva’s investment in artificial intelligence. The company has rolled out a number of AI-powered features, such as Magic Studio, Magic Media (a text-to-image generator), and Magic Expand (a background extension tool). These tools, according to Canva, are part of a broader transformation of the platform from a simple design tool to a comprehensive creative workspace.

However, many users feel that these AI tools do not justify the dramatic price increase, particularly for businesses that don’t rely on AI for their design work. Jennifer B., a senior marketing consultant, summed up this sentiment: “I have found their AI hinders what I actually need to get done and has yet to deliver any time savings. I would be happier if they simply took it away.”

This disconnect between Canva’s vision for its platform and the needs of its users has created a rift in the community. While some users appreciate the innovation and potential of AI-driven tools, many feel that they are being forced to pay for features they neither want nor need.

Stewart Marshall, a software industry advocate and bestselling author, offered a contrasting view: “When it comes to value, the user is blind. Of course, never mind that they’re getting massive value for a little over $10/user/month. And never mind that they pay tens of thousands to put a user’s bum on a seat for the year in the first place. Nope. It’s the few extra bucks they now have to spend to support their massively expensive resources that’s the problem.” Marshall’s argument highlights the divide between those who see value in Canva’s AI offerings and those who view the price hike as an unnecessary burden.

A Divided User Base

The response to Canva’s price increase has been divided, with some users defending the platform’s decision while others feel betrayed by the sudden hike. Stewart Marshall defended Canva’s pricing strategy, pointing out that the platform still offers significant value compared to its competitors: “Let’s compare to some competitors: Adobe Express is $9.99 per month for a seat, which is $119.88 per year. Multiplied by five seats in the $500 example reported, that’s $599.40 per year. At the increased rate, Canva is still a 16.5% discount to their nearest UX/content competitor. Based on these figures, the pricing change seems enormous because of the deep discounting that had previously been offered, but in reality, it’s just an increase bringing the Canva pricing in line with the rest of the market.”

However, not everyone agrees. For many users, the price increase feels like a betrayal of Canva’s original mission to provide affordable, easy-to-use design tools. Ivan Ilves, a systems expert and AI practitioner, criticized Canva’s decision in a recent post: “Price hike alert Canva just dropped a bombshell on its users with a price increase of up to 300% for its Canva Teams subscription. Small businesses are freaking out. Chalk it up to their investment in flashy new AI design tools and a slick platform redesign… Is Canva’s shiny new tech worth the squeeze, or are they just squeezing small businesses dry?”

The debate over Canva’s pricing strategy has created a clear divide within its user base, with some defending the company’s move as a necessary step to keep up with competitors and others feeling alienated by the steep increase.

The Search for Alternatives

As the debate over Canva’s price hike continues, many users are beginning to explore alternative platforms. Adobe Express, Pixlr, and even free design tools like GIMP have emerged as potential substitutes, though none offer the exact same combination of features that Canva provides.

Stefan G. Bucher, a longtime user of design tools, explained his frustration with Canva’s new pricing: “You can make the value argument all day long, but if you sell something for $100 and then suddenly raise the price to $300, people are gonna get mad. And if you don’t want to keep offering the existing product at $100 with an optional $300 tier offering greater value, maybe it’s because you realize that most people are perfectly satisfied with the $100 tier and you can only move them up to $300 by forcing them.”

Similarly, Lincoln Tsang, a digital media specialist, argued that Canva should prioritize customer loyalty over short-term profit: “They should just eat the cost now in order to keep customer loyalty. All this does is drive others to other products that amalgamate the same thing as Canva but at less cost — sure, you’ll end up using three programs instead of one, but the bottom line is always the price of how much we will pay for the productivity we want to achieve.”

Many users, like Patricia H., are actively searching for alternatives: “I haven’t found the right alternative to Canva, but I’m on the hunt for one.” Patricia’s experience underscores the growing frustration among users who feel that Canva’s price hike has forced them to consider other options, even if those alternatives lack the convenience and functionality that Canva once provided.

What’s Next for Canva?

As Canva faces backlash from its user base, the company finds itself at a crossroads. Will it continue to prioritize AI-driven innovation at the expense of its affordability, or will it find a way to strike a balance between value and cost? For many users, the future of Canva depends on how the company responds to the growing discontent among small businesses and freelancers.

Ryan S., a social media strategist, captured the essence of the debate in a recent post: “Small businesses are often the backbone of these platforms, and price hikes can really hurt. Canva has always been a valuable tool for creators, but it’s tough to justify such a steep increase. Hopefully, they listen to their core users and find a better balance.”

As the dust settles from this pricing controversy, one thing remains clear: Canva’s future will be shaped by how well it listens to its users and how it adapts to the changing landscape of design software. Whether the company can maintain its place as a leader in the industry or risk losing its loyal user base to competitors remains to be seen. But for now, many small businesses and freelancers are left wondering if Canva is still the affordable, user-friendly platform they once loved.

So, before you embark on a costly and time-consuming website overhaul, it’s crucial to ask yourself: Is it really necessary?

When a Redesign Makes Sense

Caputa highlights three key scenarios where a redesign might be justified:

1. Launching a New Product: When introducing a new product to the market, especially if it represents a significant shift for the company, a website redesign can help align the brand’s online presence with its new offerings. This ensures that the messaging, visuals, and user experience reflect the new direction.
2. Attacking a New Market: If your company is expanding into a new market—whether geographic, demographic, or industry-specific—a website redesign can help cater to this new audience. It might involve changing the language, cultural references, or even the overall tone of the site to resonate better with your new target customers.
3. Changing Company Positioning: Repositioning a company, perhaps from a budget-friendly option to a premium one, or vice versa, often requires a website redesign. The site must reflect the new brand identity, values, and customer expectations.

Caputa’s “mother test”—if even his mother thinks the design is outdated—also serves as a practical litmus test for determining whether a redesign is needed. If the design is more than three years old, it might indeed be time to consider a refresh. However, internal boredom with the design or messaging isn’t a good enough reason. “We all get bored of things we see every day. But most of our prospects are seeing our website for the first time,” Caputa reminds us.

The Pitfalls of Redesigning for the Wrong Reasons

A common pitfall that businesses fall into is redesigning their website because they feel it’s time for a change, without considering whether this change is truly necessary. Logan Lyles, who focuses on activating evangelists for B2B brands, points out, “So often companies spend WAY more time redesigning the website when they need to spend at least as much time building systems to drive TRAFFIC to that website.”

Redesigning a website for the sake of change can lead to what Mikita Cherkasau describes as a “paralysis.” He notes, “All too often website redesign projects become an outright disaster. Suddenly, stakeholders become SO sensitive about every minor detail that progress is almost impossible.” This can delay the project significantly, turning what should be a strategic move into a costly and frustrating endeavor.

Caputa echoes this sentiment, arguing that failing performance is often used as an excuse to justify a redesign. “Performance dips are usually because companies aren’t spending enough time on an ongoing basis making the changes necessary to increase search traffic and improve conversion paths,” he says. A one-time update, even if done well, is not a panacea for ongoing performance issues. “It’s like getting yourself in shape and then expecting to stay in shape without any more exercise,” Caputa adds.

Alternatives to a Full Redesign

Instead of jumping straight into a redesign, Caputa and other experts suggest considering alternative approaches that may be more effective and less disruptive.

1. A/B Testing: Instead of a full redesign, businesses can run A/B tests to experiment with different versions of web pages. This allows them to make data-driven decisions about what changes truly resonate with their audience. As Caputa notes, “Companies that are bored with their messaging or design should run A/B tests and let their audience vote with their clicks.”
2. Progressive Updates: Rather than overhauling the entire site, making continuous, incremental updates can often yield better results. Freshening up the copy, updating images, or optimizing the user experience can be done gradually without the need for a complete redesign. As Kyle Cioffi, founder of Aura Agency, suggests, “Continued updates and changes over time to increase performance are going to save a lot of headaches, time, and money invested.”
3. Technical Optimization: Sometimes, performance issues stem from technical problems rather than design flaws. For instance, Kaleem Clarkson emphasizes that “Failing performance is one of the TOP reasons for justifying a complete redesign,” especially if the backend is a “complete mess.” However, Clarkson advises that technical fixes, such as improving page load times or updating metadata, can often resolve these issues without the need for a full redesign.
4. Focusing on Messaging: Often, it’s not the design that’s the issue but the messaging. As Paul Sullivan points out, “Design is subjective and factually it’s poor messaging that typically decreases the website’s potency.” Simplifying and clarifying your messaging can have a significant impact on conversions and engagement without the need for a new design.

The Strategic Approach to Redesign

If you’ve determined that a redesign is indeed necessary, it’s essential to approach it strategically. Carter Edsall, a B2B marketing strategist, advises that companies should get everyone aligned on strategy, messaging, and purpose before starting the redesign process. “Using a website redesign project to actually work out product, market, or company positioning is even worse than discussing politics on social media,” he warns. By clarifying your brand’s positioning and goals upfront, you can reduce the number of opinions and debates that often derail redesign projects.

It’s also important to consider the long-term implications of a redesign. As Caputa notes, “A long-term view is sometimes a better signal of the health of the business model.” Redesigns should not just be about aesthetics; they should align with the company’s broader strategic objectives, such as market expansion or repositioning.

To Redesign or Not to Redesign?

While a website redesign can be an exciting and sometimes necessary endeavor, it’s not something to be undertaken lightly. As Caputa and other experts emphasize, there should be clear, strategic reasons for a redesign—whether it’s launching a new product, entering a new market, or repositioning the company. Internal boredom, poor performance, or the desire for a fresh look are not sufficient reasons on their own.

Instead, businesses should focus on continuous improvement, technical optimization, and strategic messaging. If a redesign is warranted, approach it with a clear plan and alignment across your team to ensure it drives the results you’re looking for. Otherwise, as Caputa suggests, “Let your audience vote with their clicks” and make decisions based on data rather than opinions.

The lawsuit, which was filed against Adobe and executives Maninder Sawhney and David Wadhwani, accuses Adobe of “deceiving consumers by hiding the early termination fee for its most popular subscription plan and making it difficult for consumers to cancel their subscriptions.”

Adobe used to sell its applications individually, or as part of a “Creative Suite,” as a standalone product. Users would purchase a major version, receive free updates for the life of that version, and then decide whether or not to upgrade to the next major version—usually at a steep discount—when it was released. With the rise of cloud computing and subscription-based software, Adobe transitioned to providing its software via subscription as well.

Unfortunately, the FTC says that Adobe essentially trapped customers into a year-long subscription by hiding the fact that customers who opted for the “annual paid monthly” plan would face hundreds of dollars in termination fees if they cancelled in the first year.

According to the complaint, when consumers purchase a subscription through the company’s website, Adobe pushes consumers to its “annual paid monthly” subscription plan, pre-selecting it as a default. Adobe prominently shows the plan’s “monthly” cost during enrollment, but it buries the early termination fee (ETF) and its amount, which is 50 percent of the remaining monthly payments when a consumer cancels in their first year. Adobe’s ETF disclosures are buried on the company’s website in small print or require consumers to hover over small icons to find the disclosures.

To make matters worse, the FTC says that customers who reached out to Adobe for a resolution faced a litany of roadblocks, including resistance, delays, dropped calls, dropped chats, and multiple transfers.

“Adobe trapped customers into year-long subscriptions through hidden early termination fees and numerous cancellation hurdles,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Americans are tired of companies hiding the ball during subscription signup and then putting up roadblocks when they try to cancel. The FTC will continue working to protect Americans from these illegal business practices.”

Adobe has long been a necessary evil for many designers. While the company makes the most powerful graphics software available, virtually no one actually likes dealing with the company, or paying the prices it charges.

Adobe Shows Why the Figma Acquisition Was a Bad Idea

The FTC’s lawsuit is proof that regulators blocking Adobe’s acquisition of Figma was a good idea and in the best interests of consumers. Figma is a popular web-based suite of creative tools that competes favorably with Adobe’s offerings, but at a fraction of the cost.

In September 2022, Adobe announced plans to purchase Figma, causing an uproar among designers who feared the larger company would ruin what made Figma so popular. Regulators expressed concern as well, viewing the purchase as a way for Adobe to eliminate a competitor and maintain its ability to charge high prices.

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), in particular, called out the deal as one that would eliminate competition and hurt designers.

The inquiry group has also provisionally found that Figma is a credible future competitor to Adobe in image editing and illustration software – and that the threat posed by Figma has driven product development in Adobe’s Photoshop and Illustrator applications, including new web versions. The inquiry group considers that if the deal went ahead, it would eliminate Figma as a competitor which would otherwise have continued to seek to develop its capabilities in image editing and illustration, thereby fuelling innovation and product development by Adobe. This competition would be lost as a result of the transaction, harming designers and creative agencies who might have used these new tools or relied on future updates.

As a result of the CMA’s ruling, Adobe ultimately abandoned its plans to acquire Figma.

Hopefully, the FTC’s action against Adobe will result in fairer terms for designers who are still forced to use the software giant’s products.

Brunton’s tutorial offers a comprehensive guide to transforming flat and uninspired web layouts. By utilizing tools like Adobe Illustrator and Figma, he demonstrates how to inject life and personality into a website quickly and effectively. From setting up a textured background to integrating 3D objects and making final adjustments, Brunton provides detailed, step-by-step instructions that are both practical and inspiring. His approach emphasizes the importance of blending creativity with technical precision, ensuring that the final design is aesthetically pleasing but also user-friendly and functional.

Addressing the Common Problem of Flat Web Design

One of the most frequent issues web designers encounter is a layout that appears flat and uninspired. Brunton identifies this as a key area for improvement: “If your web design is looking a bit flat, how do you fix it? Upgrade your imagery!” By leveraging tools such as Adobe Illustrator and Figma, Brunton demonstrates how to infuse life and personality into a website quickly and efficiently.
Flat design, while clean and minimalist, often lacks the depth and engagement necessary to captivate users. “A lot of designers get stuck in the trap of playing it safe with flat design,” Brunton explains. “While it can be effective, it often fails to hold the user’s attention or convey a brand’s personality.” This realization is crucial, especially as we move into 2024, where user expectations for visually rich and interactive experiences continue to rise.

To tackle this issue, Brunton emphasizes adding texture and depth. “Texture can bring a sense of tangibility and realism to your design,” he says. “It’s about making the digital feel a bit more like the physical world.” This approach enhances the aesthetic appeal and helps differentiate the website from others that may appear too generic or simplistic.

Another common pitfall in web design is the overuse of generic stock images, which can make a site look unoriginal. Brunton advises against this, suggesting instead that custom imagery be created that aligns with the brand’s message and style. “When you create your own imagery, you have complete control over how it looks and feels,” he notes. This allows you to craft a unique visual identity that stands out.”

In his tutorial, Brunton also discusses the psychological impact of design elements. “Humans are naturally drawn to visuals that have depth and texture,” he explains. These elements can evoke emotions and create a more immersive experience for the user.” By incorporating such elements, designers can make their websites visually appealing and emotionally engaging.

Brunton’s insights and techniques are particularly relevant in today’s digital landscape, where users are constantly bombarded with content. To capture and retain their attention, websites need to go beyond functionality and deliver a visually compelling experience. “In 2024, it’s not enough for a website to just work well,” Brunton asserts. “It needs to look and feel exceptional too.”

Initial Steps: Preparing the Canvas in Adobe Illustrator

The process begins in Adobe Illustrator, where Brunton sets up an artboard that matches the dimensions of the Figma frame, specifically 1440 by 1024 pixels. This alignment ensures that the design elements created in Illustrator will integrate seamlessly into the Figma layout.

Brunton starts by drawing a simple rectangle using the rectangle tool and aligning it precisely to the frame. This rectangle serves as the base for applying textures. “Creating a strong foundation is key,” he explains. “By starting with a well-defined canvas, you set yourself up for a smoother design process and better results.”

Next, Brunton delves into Illustrator’s 3D materials, a feature that allows designers to add realistic textures to their shapes. He explores various base materials, such as ripstop fabric, gold leaf, marble, and stone textures. “The variety of materials available in Illustrator is fantastic,” he says. “It gives you the flexibility to experiment and find the perfect texture for your design.”

After experimenting with different materials, Brunton selects a texture resembling a rocky surface. He believes this will add the desired depth and interest to the background. “Textures like stone and marble can give your design a more grounded, earthy feel,” he explains. “They add a layer of realism that flat colors simply can’t achieve.”

To achieve the perfect look, Brunton adjusts several parameters, including resolution and color. “Tweaking the settings allows you to fine-tune the texture to match your vision,” he notes. By doubling the repeats and fine-tuning the color to match the existing Figma background, Brunton creates a textured image that serves as a visually stimulating foundation for the web design. “Attention to detail in these initial steps pays off in the final product,” he emphasizes. “It’s these subtle adjustments that elevate a design from good to great.”

Brunton also highlights the importance of consistency in design. He maintains a cohesive look throughout the project by ensuring the color palette and textures are aligned between Illustrator and Figma. “Consistency is crucial in design,” he says. “It helps create a unified, professional appearance that resonates with users.”

Brunton sets the stage for the more complex elements by laying a solid foundation in Adobe Illustrator. His meticulous approach to preparing the canvas underscores the importance of starting with a clear and well-defined base. “The initial setup might seem tedious, but it’s essential,” he concludes. “A well-prepared canvas gives you the freedom to explore and be creative without running into technical issues later on.”

Seamless Integration into Figma

With the textured background ready, Brunton demonstrates how to export and integrate it into the Figma design. He copies the textured image from Illustrator and pastes it into the Figma layout, ensuring it aligns perfectly with the pre-existing design elements. This step is critical for maintaining visual coherence across different design tools. “Seamless integration between tools like Illustrator and Figma is essential for a smooth workflow,” Brunton asserts. “It allows designers to leverage the strengths of each tool without sacrificing consistency.”

To maintain readability, Brunton adjusts the opacity of the textured background. “We have added some texture, but we have lost some contrast,” he notes. He balances visual interest and legibility by lowering the opacity to around 25-30%. This adjustment ensures the text and other critical elements remain clear and readable against the textured backdrop. “Finding the right opacity is key to maintaining the balance between background elements and the main content,” Brunton explains. “You want the texture to enhance the design, not overwhelm it.”

Brunton also highlights the importance of alignment and precision during this integration phase. “Even small misalignments can disrupt the visual harmony of your design,” he emphasizes. He uses Figma’s alignment tools to ensure the textured background fits perfectly within the layout. This meticulous attention to detail helps create a polished and professional final product. “Precision is what separates a good design from a great one,” he states. “Every element should feel intentional and well-placed.”

Another aspect of seamless integration involves ensuring that the new design elements do not interfere with the website’s overall functionality. Brunton stresses the need to test the design in various scenarios to ensure that the added textures and elements do not hinder the user experience. “A visually stunning design is of little use if it complicates navigation or usability,” he says. “Always keep the user experience at the forefront of your design process.”

Brunton’s approach also includes considerations for future edits and iterations. By organizing layers and naming them appropriately in Illustrator and Figma, he makes it easier to revisit and tweak the design as needed. “A well-organized file structure saves time and frustration down the line,” he advises. “It’s an investment in the efficiency of your workflow.”

Integrating the textured background into Figma showcases Brunton’s expertise in blending creativity with technical precision. His systematic approach ensures that the final design is aesthetically pleasing and functional, providing a richer user experience. “The goal is to create designs that are not only beautiful but also practical and user-friendly,” Brunton concludes. “By paying attention to detail and maintaining consistency, you can achieve this balance.”

Adding Depth with 3D Objects

To further enhance the design, Brunton introduces 3D objects created in Illustrator. He begins by drawing a circle using the ellipse tool and applying a 3D effect to give it a spherical appearance. Selecting materials such as spotted concrete, he adjusts the lighting and shadow settings to add a realistic touch to these objects. “Adding 3D elements can transform a flat design into a dynamic visual experience,” he explains. “These elements provide a sense of depth and realism that captivates the viewer’s attention.”

Brunton meticulously explains the process of manipulating these 3D elements: “If you go across to object and then click inflate, you can create a sphere with realistic lighting and shadows.” By experimenting with different lighting angles, shadow intensities, and other parameters, Brunton ensures the objects appear naturally within the design. “The lighting and shadow settings are crucial,” he emphasizes. “They determine how the 3D objects interact with the rest of the layout, contributing to a cohesive and engaging visual.”

These 3D elements are then imported into Figma, strategically placed within the layout to create a sense of depth and hierarchy. Brunton advises designers to think critically about the placement of these objects. “By doing this, we start to put some things in front and some things behind,” he explains. “This technique not only adds visual interest but also guides the viewer’s attention through the design.” Placing some aspects in the foreground and others in the background creates a layered effect that enhances the overall composition.

Brunton also highlights the importance of consistency in the application of 3D elements. “Consistency in lighting and materials ensures that the 3D objects integrate seamlessly into the design,” he notes. By maintaining a uniform style across all 3D elements, designers can avoid a disjointed appearance and create a harmonious layout. “Every element should feel like it belongs in the same visual ecosystem,” he adds. “This coherence strengthens the overall impact of the design.”

Furthermore, Brunton addresses the potential challenges of incorporating 3D objects into web design. “One common challenge is ensuring that these elements do not overshadow the primary content,” he explains. “It’s about finding a balance where the 3D objects enhance rather than detract from the main message.” By carefully considering the size, position, and prominence of each 3D element, designers can achieve this balance and create a visually rich yet functional design.

In addition to enhancing visual appeal, 3D objects can also contribute to the narrative of the design. Brunton suggests using these elements to reinforce the theme or message of the website. “For example, if the website is about geology, incorporating rock-like textures and spherical objects can create a thematic coherence,” he says. “These subtle cues can make the design more immersive and meaningful.”

By integrating 3D objects with thoughtful consideration and precision, Brunton demonstrates how designers can add depth and dimension to their web designs. His approach underscores the importance of balancing creativity with practicality, ensuring that the final product is visually stunning and user-friendly. “3D elements can elevate a design to new heights,” Brunton concludes. “When used effectively, they add a layer of sophistication and intrigue that keeps users engaged.”

Final Adjustments: Enhancing Visual Interest and Consistency

As the final step, Brunton focuses on refining the overall composition. He adjusts the placement of the 3D objects, ensuring some elements appear in front of the text while others recede into the background. This layering effect adds depth and complexity to the design, making it more engaging and visually appealing. “The interplay of foreground and background elements creates a dynamic visual hierarchy,” Brunton explains. “It’s about guiding the viewer’s eye and creating a sense of movement within the design.”

Brunton emphasizes the importance of subtlety in these adjustments. “While it’s tempting to go overboard with effects, subtle changes often have the most impact,” he notes. Brunton enhances the visual interest without overwhelming the viewer by making minor tweaks to the opacity, shadow, and alignment of various elements. “Small adjustments can significantly enhance the overall look and feel of the design,” he adds. “It’s these fine details that make a design polished and professional.”

In addition to adjusting the visual elements, Brunton suggests revisiting the typography to ensure it complements the new design. “Typography should harmonize with the other elements,” he says. “Consider adding drop shadows or adjusting the font weight to maintain readability against textured backgrounds.” These minor typographic enhancements can contribute to the overall cohesiveness of the design, ensuring that text remains clear and legible while integrating seamlessly with the visual elements.

Brunton also highlights the importance of consistency in design. He maintains a cohesive look throughout the project by ensuring that the color palette, textures, and lighting are uniform across all elements. “Consistency is key to creating a unified, professional appearance,” he emphasizes. “It helps the design feel intentional and well-crafted.” By paying attention to these details, designers can avoid a disjointed appearance and achieve a harmonious layout that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional.

To enhance the user experience further, Brunton advises testing the design in various scenarios and devices. “Responsive design is crucial in today’s digital landscape,” he explains. “Make sure your design looks great and functions well across different screen sizes and resolutions.” By testing the design on multiple devices, designers can identify and address any potential issues, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable user experience. “The goal is to create a design that is not only beautiful but also practical and user-friendly,” he concludes.

Brunton’s meticulous approach to final adjustments showcases his dedication to achieving a perfect balance between creativity and functionality. His emphasis on subtle enhancements, consistency, and user experience underscores the importance of attention to detail in web design. “In 2024, users expect more from web design,” he says. “They want an experience that is visually stunning, intuitive, and engaging.” By following Brunton’s guidelines, designers can meet these expectations and create web designs that stand out in the digital landscape.

Overall, the final adjustments are about refining the design to its highest potential. Brunton’s expert insights provide a roadmap for designers aiming to elevate their projects. “Great design is in the details,” Brunton concludes. “It’s the sum of many small, thoughtful adjustments that together create something truly remarkable.” By adopting this approach, designers can ensure their web designs are visually appealing and resonate with users on a deeper level.

Conclusion: Transforming Web Design with Creativity and Innovation

The result of Brunton’s meticulous process is a transformed web design that stands out for its depth, texture, and personality. His method demonstrates how thoughtful use of imagery and 3D elements can elevate a web design from functional to memorable. “This just has more visual interest to it. There’s texture, there’s depth because there are things in front and things below,” he summarizes. By integrating these techniques, designers can create a richer, more engaging user experience.

Brunton’s tutorial is a valuable guide for web designers looking to enhance their skills and create more engaging, visually appealing websites. His approach underscores the importance of blending creativity with technical expertise. “Great web design is about more than just aesthetics; it’s about how those aesthetics serve the user’s experience,” Brunton explains. “By combining creativity with functionality, you can create designs that not only look good but also perform well.”

The techniques showcased by Brunton are particularly relevant in today’s digital landscape, where users expect immersive and interactive experiences. “In 2024, the bar for web design has been raised,” Brunton asserts. “Users want websites that are visually stunning and easy to navigate.” By incorporating depth, texture, and well-placed 3D elements, designers can meet these heightened expectations and stand out in a crowded market.

Moreover, Brunton’s emphasis on the iterative nature of design highlights the ongoing journey of learning and improvement in web design. “Design is an evolving field,” he says. “Each project offers new challenges and opportunities to refine your skills.” His tutorial encourages designers to experiment with new techniques and tools, fostering a mindset of continuous growth and innovation.

For those seeking to improve their web design prowess, Brunton’s approach offers practical insights and techniques that can be applied to various projects. It’s a testament to the power of creativity and the significant impact that thoughtful design can have on user experience. “Innovation in design comes from pushing boundaries and exploring new possibilities,” Brunton concludes. “By doing so, you can create web designs that not only meet but exceed user expectations.”

Overall, Brunton’s process illustrates that the foundation of exceptional web design lies in the details. His focus on enhancing visual interest through subtle yet impactful changes demonstrates how designers can transform ordinary layouts into extraordinary user experiences. “The beauty of web design lies in its potential to merge art with technology,” Brunton reflects. “When done right, it creates a seamless, enjoyable experience that resonates with users.”

As the field of web design continues to evolve, Brunton’s insights and techniques will remain invaluable resources for designers aiming to create standout digital experiences. His dedication to combining creativity with functionality is an inspiring example for designers at all levels. “Ultimately, great design is about making a connection with your audience,” Brunton says. “By embracing creativity and innovation, you can create designs that truly resonate.” Through his detailed and thoughtful approach, Brunton not only elevates individual projects but also contributes to the broader advancement of the web design industry.

Over the past year, Adobe has methodically integrated generative AI into its flagship products, including the behemoth Photoshop and the versatile Adobe Express. These enhancements are tailored specifically to professionals’ creative workflows, enabling unprecedented customization and efficiency in content creation.

David, a spokesperson for Adobe, emphasized the breadth of these integrations in a recent discussion. “The introduction of imaging, vector, and design AI models has revolutionized how our creative cloud applications enhance productivity,” he noted. This suite of tools allows creative professionals to rapidly produce high-quality content tailored to specific project requirements quickly, thereby reducing turnaround times and increasing market responsiveness.

One of the most significant advancements is the integration of AI within Photoshop. This has enabled users to manipulate and create complex images easily, leveraging AI to automate tedious parts of the creative process. For designers, this means less time on routine tasks and more on creative exploration, pushing the boundaries of digital artistry.

Furthermore, Adobe is pioneering in managing and utilizing data for AI training. Unlike some competitors who may rely on synthetic data or unlicensed content, Adobe has built its AI models on an extensive library of proprietary images and assets. This ethical approach ensures compliance with intellectual property laws and positions Adobe as a leader in responsible AI development.

“We adhere strictly to a framework we call ART—accountability, responsibility, and transparency,” David explained. This rigorous process ensures that every AI model Adobe ships have undergone thorough evaluation and moderation, guaranteeing that the content generated is legally compliant and of the highest quality.

Looking ahead, Adobe is set to unveil groundbreaking text-to-video capabilities, further enhancing its creative software ecosystem. This new feature promises to translate written descriptions into rich, detailed video content, a boon for advertising, film, and media professionals. Additionally, Adobe’s collaboration with third-party AI innovators like Sora, Runway, and PCA is poised to broaden the creative possibilities available to users, ensuring Adobe’s tools remain at the cutting edge of technology.

These advancements signify a major leap forward for designers who rely on Adobe’s comprehensive suite of tools. The integration of generative AI streamlines workflow and enriches the creative process, allowing designers to achieve more with less effort. Moreover, Adobe’s commitment to ethical AI use provides reassurance in an era where data privacy and copyright issues are paramount.

As Adobe continues to innovate and integrate AI across its product line, design professionals can look forward to even more powerful tools that facilitate creativity and efficiency. The future of design is here, and Adobe is writing its first drafts with the intelligent brushstrokes of generative AI.

Sora’s Capabilities within Premiere Pro

Sora by OpenAI is designed to generate contextually relevant B-roll and transition footage through simple text prompts. This integration allows editors to input descriptive text, and Sora intelligently produces high-quality video clips that can be seamlessly added to projects. It streamlines the editing process and significantly reduces the time spent on sourcing and creating supplementary content.

Adobe’s Firefly and New AI Features

Alongside the integration of Sora, Adobe is also rolling out its own proprietary AI, dubbed Firefly. This model will power several new features within Premiere Pro, including Object Add/Remove and Generative Extend. These features are tailored to enhance productivity by automating complex editing tasks:

• Object Addition and Removal: Editors can now add or eliminate objects from video frames using intuitive text prompts powered by Adobe Firefly. This facilitates dynamic content creation and simplifies previously cumbersome editing tasks.
• Generative Extend: This feature intelligently extends clips where additional frames are needed, preserving the continuity and flow of the video without manual intervention.

Transparency and Ethical Considerations

With great power comes great responsibility. Adobe emphasizes transparency in using AI with its new Content Credentials feature. This tool will track and display whether AI was utilized in creating media, detailing the specific AI models employed. This initiative reflects Adobe’s commitment to responsible AI use, ensuring that creators are fully informed and copyright standards are respected.

Collaborations and Compatibility

Expanding beyond its technologies, Adobe is exploring potential integrations with various third-party AI models. These collaborations, including with industry leaders like Runway and Pika, aim to diversify the AI tools available within Premiere Pro, allowing editors to choose the best model for their needs.

Anticipated Impact and Industry Reception

The integration of OpenAI’s Sora and Adobe’s Firefly into Premiere Pro is anticipated to enhance video editors’ capabilities and set a new standard for AI in creative applications. By automating routine tasks and simplifying complex processes, Adobe is poised to free creative professionals to focus on storytelling and artistic expression.

As this technology evolves and becomes more integrated into professional workflows, the video editing community awaits its release with high expectations. Adobe’s initiative to blend AI with human creativity could potentially usher in a new era of video production characterized by efficiency, innovation, and enhanced artistic freedom.

The investigation unearthed that contrary to Adobe’s initial disclosures, Firefly was trained, in part, on AI-generated images. Some of these images were sourced from MidJourney, another AI tool known for its potent image-generating capabilities.

“This wasn’t a trivial oversight; it was a clear decision,” Metz explained. “The use of AI-generated images, although not forming a massive chunk of the data set, was significant enough to raise questions about the transparency and ethical grounding of Adobe’s process.”

Adobe has often positioned Firefly as distinct from competitors, touting it as the “ethical version” of AI, emphasizing respect for intellectual property rights—an assurance meant to comfort users and creators wary of the IP controversies swirling around rival AI technologies.

Yet, this revelation could complicate Adobe’s narrative. As evidenced in company-managed Discord groups, internal discussions within Adobe showed that including these images was a known and intentional part of the training strategy. “Adobe was totally aware of what it was doing,” Metz added, noting that the company even awarded bonuses in September to contributors whose images were used to refine Firefly—including those who supplied AI-generated content via Adobe Stock.

The potential IP ramifications are significant. With AI-generated images forming part of Firefly’s training dataset, questions about the originality and ownership of Firefly’s output are brought to the fore. This could affect how the tool is perceived among professionals who rely heavily on copyright protection to safeguard their creative investments.

In response to inquiries, Adobe acknowledged using synthetic images, justifying it to enhance the model’s effectiveness. However, the company assured that all contributors, including those whose AI-generated photos were used, had been compensated.

The broader implications for the AI industry are profound. As AI tools increasingly infiltrate creative spaces, the lines between human-generated and machine-generated content blur, making it imperative for companies like Adobe to navigate these issues with greater transparency and adherence to their ethical standards.

This case highlights the challenges of developing AI in adherence to ethical standards and the importance of maintaining transparency with users and contributors who continue to shape the evolving landscape of digital art and technology.

Affinity made a name for itself as a professional, cost-effective alternative to Adobe. Canva is a popular online design platform that has been expanding and acquiring other companies in an effort to bolster the services it provides, including Pixabay and Pexels in 2019.

With the Affinity acquisition, Canva will have everything it needs to deliver an all-in-one platform, giving users both online and native applications.

“Visual communication is now ubiquitous in the workplace and investing in strategies that enhance our B2B offerings is core to the future of our business,” said Canva co-founder and COO, Cliff Obrecht. “From sales and marketing, to brand and creative teams, the need to create effective and engaging visual content is on the rise. The Affinity team comes with an incredible caliber of talent and technology and we’re delighted to welcome them to Canva as we enter our next phase together.”

Canva is already used by more than 175 million people, and the addition of Affinity will help it expand into the professional market.

“Since the inception of Affinity, our mission has been to empower creatives with tools that unleash their full potential, fostering a community where innovation and artistry flourish,” said Ashley Hewson, CEO of Affinity. “We’ve worked tirelessly to challenge the status quo, delivering professional-grade creative software that is both accessible and affordable. Canva’s commitment to empowering everyone to create aligns perfectly with those values. We couldn’t be more excited about becoming part of the Canva family and can’t wait to see what we will achieve together.”

Many designers already prefer Affinity to Adobe’s more expensive offerings. Combining the two platforms could help Canva compete directly with Adobe, giving users a powerful alternative to the status quo.

Official details of the deal were not disclosed, although Obrecht told Bloomberg it was worth “several hundred million pounds.”

Dave Gerhardt, VP of Marketing at Drift, was recently interviewed on the B2B Growth podcast by John Rougeux who is VP of Marketing at Skyfii. Gerhardt discusses conversational marketing as a new B2B product category and how it is changing marketing from reaching out to you later to a conversation that is happening now:

Conversational Marketing is About Connecting You Now

Conversational marketing is a whole new way of thinking about marketing and sales. The traditional way of doing marketing and sales is all about later. Come to my website and fill out this form and somebody is going to reach out to you later, when it’s convenient for them. The big shift that is happening in marketing and business over the last five to ten years is customers have all the power today. You can’t make people wait. Information is free now.

I can find anything I want to know about a company without ever having to go to your website. It’s crazy to think that you are going to force people to go to your website, fill out a form, wait three days to hear back from your sales team, and then get a demo. Conversational is all about connecting you now with the people who are ready to buy now while they are live on your website.

B2P – Marketing to People

It’s not about buyers. It’s not about sellers. It’s not about sales. It’s not about marketing. It’s about people. That’s how people all communicate online today. I pressed one button in my car and I got a list. I ordered something from Amazon while I was here this morning to send back to my house and it’s going to be there tomorrow when I get home. There are countless examples of that. That is how we all behave online in our real lives today.

But then something happens weird happens. We go to our jobs in B2B and none of the tools that we use match how we actually buy as real people. That’s the most exciting thing to me about conversational marketing. It’s really closing the gap between B2C and B2B. We just call it B2P, marketing to people.

What Ties Our Products Together is Conversation

We have an email product and we have a landing page product. Black and white versions of those people would say everybody has email, everybody has landing pages. The thing that ties those together is conversation. That forces us to think about what is conversational email? What is conversational landing pages? What is conversational whatever? That one word forces our product team to think about how can we change this? If our fundamental stance as a company is that the internet should be one conversation, then how does that weave into everything that we build?

Ultimately what we care about is that email becomes a conversation. Meaning, the way that marketers have had to use email the last decade is a one-way channel. Email is meant to be a two-way channel. Marketers have been using it as, “John come to my webinar.” What happens if you actually respond to that email? Most of the time you can’t because it’s donotreply@ or it just goes to some inbox where nobody is answering it. That is a terrible experience. Our belief is that if you reply, “Hey actually I can’t make it. Can you reregister my colleague?” That should get handled. We are thinking of that from an evolution standpoint.

The same thing with landing pages. Most landing pages today are static. You go to the landing page, put a bunch of info in and you are gone. What if that was a real-time conversation on the page? That one topic has to weave itself into everything we do from a product perspective.

>> Listen to the complete interview with Drift Marketing VP Dave Gerhardt on the B2B Growth podcast.

Fubo is one of the leading streaming TV platforms, with an emphasis on sports programming. Sormaz worked at Spotify for ten years as Director and then VP of Design. He has also had stints at News Corporation, Boxee, and, most recently Sorare.

Sormaz will help Fubo continue to develop its user experience, including leveraging the company’s proprietary AI to make the platform more interactive.

“Dan is not only the best design leader in media that I know, he is also a great product strategist,” said Berkely. “I partnered closely with Dan at Spotify for several years and am so thrilled for him to lead our design team at Fubo. With the proliferation of so many streaming apps, the TV industry has become very fragmented and is not aligned with consumer needs. We believe Fubo’s aggregated content model solves this issue and, with Dan guiding us on delivering an intuitive and useful user experience, we are confident that we can evolve how consumers watch television.”

“Fubo really hits the sweet spot for me – I am so passionate about streaming, having spent more than a decade in that world across music, podcasts and video/TV, and I am a huge sports fan,” said Sormaz. “User experiences for streaming services reflect the ever-changing world around them. With an evolving content landscape, shifting consumer behaviors and emerging new technology, I believe we’re entering an exciting new era for TV streaming UX. I am looking forward to reuniting with Mike and working with the fantastic Fubo team to build what’s next for TV.”

Whether you’re creating a new app or revamping an existing one, the right strategies will prevent your effort from landing in product design hell. The following tips will help you create a beautiful, streamlined deliverable that will keep your customers coming back for more.

1. Create a Design System

Every design team should have a design system: a collection of reusable components that help create a consistent experience across one or more products. A design system consists of colors, fonts, buttons, and other visual elements that will be used repeatedly within each product the team creates. The system should also include clear instructions, including:

• Guidelines for placement of all visual elements
• Design patterns for different interfaces (Android, iPhone, desktop, etc.)
• Documentation about how each component in the system works
• Tools and resources for developers
• Company values and accessibility standards to uphold throughout the design process

One example is the Uber design system, which lets the company offer multiple well-differentiated apps that are yet unmistakably part of the Uber brand. By using a strong design system, companies can ensure every page of every app remains consistent with their brand. Still, different products in a company’s suite can have small, unique elements that make them clearly distinguishable.

2. Make Everything Easy

Great product design is all about simplicity. Don’t put anything on the screen that doesn’t need to be there, and make icons familiar and navigation predictable. Offer multiple easy ways to get to a desired screen. Avoid giving a user more than one to two tasks to execute per page of the product. Or if that’s not possible, use progressive disclosure to avoid overwhelming them.

Younger generations tend to operate their mobile devices with two thumbs, while older ones are apt to use a single index finger. Avoid interactive elements that require users of any demographic to adopt input methods they find cumbersome. Save your customers’ information across all apps, so they never have to reenter their details. People generally scan, not read, so keep text brief and well-positioned on the screen.

3. Evolve Your Look Gradually

If your company has multiple products in a suite, they should look different but not too different. You can achieve this balance by integrating small, gradual changes in your next product. Try adding or replacing just one color in your color scheme, or incorporate a different photo aspect ratio. Don’t scrap basics like the layout of your menus or navigation buttons. 

Think about how you can naturally evolve and differentiate each new product without abandoning any core design elements. Reuse interactive experiences that make sense across different applications (e.g., if your rideshare app has a location tracker, your package delivery app should, too). If you’re rebranding, be wary of any change that feels too extreme.

4. Prioritize Accessibility and Diversity

Whenever possible, create and iterate with inclusivity at the forefront. Caption audio for Deaf and hard-of-hearing folks and set up your product to interact seamlessly with screen readers. Make text and images magnifiable and use alt-text for photos. Select images with diversity in mind. Don’t ask anyone to input their gender unless it’s necessary, and offer a good selection of options or a write-in box.

Consider smaller-seeming details as well: Use fonts and colors that are legible to people with color-blindness or dyslexia. Offer text and audio in multiple languages and keep language direct for nonnative speakers. Choose words that are appropriate and inclusive. Make as many elements of your product functional offline to account for users with poor connectivity and provide a faster experience in general.

5. Consider Your User, Then Delight Them

Throughout the product design process, keep your target user in mind. When budgets get lean, user research is often the first thing to go. But it’s also the only way to really understand your audience. Make sure you incorporate qualitative interviewing and usability testing at all stages to reduce friction wherever possible.

Then, go above and beyond. Think of ways not just to meet customers’ wants and needs, but to offer them unexpected moments of joy. Animated elements work well and can range from simple loading screen graphics to soothing videos of tropical rainstorms or ocean waves. Also consider clever push notifications (but not too many), friendly avatars, and other ways to gamify mundane product experiences. However, never let these add-ons interfere with speed or functionality.

Always Bring It Back to the Basics and Your Brand

There are a million factors to consider when designing your next winning product. Every shade of green, every click, and every comma of copy matters. When you’re working cross-functionally with multiple teams, it’s easy to lose sight of little things that make or break a user experience. That’s why, at every stage of the product design process, it’s important to keep going back to these fundamental principles. 

No matter what design choices you make, remember your goal is to solve a problem. Good design means sticking to that end goal without creating new sources of friction. Never forget that every decision your team makes should move the brand closer to its core mission and values. At the end of the day, delivering a great product isn’t just about look and feel. It’s about the heart and soul of your brand and all the reasons your customers keep choosing you.

Jony Ive worked closely with Steve Jobs and is largely responsible for virtually all of the classic Apple designs that helped save the company after Jobs’ return. Ive remained at the company after Jobs death, continuing to be the driving force behind the company’s designs until he departed in 2019to focus on his design startup LoveFrom.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Tan is going LoveFrom to work on the AI hardware project being developed by Ive and OpenAI’s Sam Altman. Altman evidently will be responsible for the software behind the device, with Ive and company handling the hardware design.

Given that Tan joined Apple a decade ago, squarely in the midst of the Ive era, his departure will no doubt be a loss to the iPhone maker.

Figma provides web-based tools that compete with Adobe’s product line at a fraction of the price. Adobe announced in September 2022 that it had reached a deal to purchase Figma for $20 billion. The move was immediately decried by designers and critics as a way for Adobe to kill off a competitor. Regulators in the EU and UK have been investigating the deal to see if it will harm competition.

After reviewing the proposed acquisition, the CMA has issued a preliminary report, finding that the deal would harm the design sector.

Adobe and Figma are two of the world leading providers of software for app and web designers and our investigation so far has found that they are close competitors.

This proposed deal, therefore, has the potential to impact the UK’s digital design industry by reducing choice, innovation and the development of new competitive products.

Today’s decision is provisional, and we will now consult on our findings and listen to any further views before reaching a final decision.

The CMA found that Figma’s existence and competition was fueling innovation at Adobe, innovation that would likely stop post-acquisition:

The inquiry group has also provisionally found that Figma is a credible future competitor to Adobe in image editing and illustration software – and that the threat posed by Figma has driven product development in Adobe’s Photoshop and Illustrator applications, including new web versions. The inquiry group considers that if the deal went ahead, it would eliminate Figma as a competitor which would otherwise have continued to seek to develop its capabilities in image editing and illustration, thereby fuelling innovation and product development by Adobe. This competition would be lost as a result of the transaction, harming designers and creative agencies who might have used these new tools or relied on future updates.

The regulator will make a final decision by February 25, 2024. In the meantime, concerned parties can provide feedback from now till December 19, 2023. The CMA is reserving the right to take whatever action it deems necessary, including blocking the deal entirely.

Remote web designers are among those who have benefitted the most from the substantial increase in the distributed workforce. Typically, these professionals can do their work anywhere with a stable internet connection. They have essential expertise in today’s highly digitized and internet-driven world, using their skills to create or improve a website’s layout, usability and overall appearance. 

Suppose you own or manage a small business or you’re in the design or marketing fields. You’ll likely encounter numerous situations where hiring web designers could help you strategically grow your business by meeting new or pressing needs.

One of the great things about hiring web designers who work remotely is that you greatly expand the potential hiring pool. Here are some top tips to apply if you’re considering this approach. 

Write Sufficiently Detailed Job Descriptions

It’s always wise to provide plenty of specifics in your job descriptions. However, that’s particularly essential when appealing to remote candidates — including those in other time zones or countries. They can’t necessarily pick up the phone for quick clarifications on questions that arise. 

That’s why you must put yourself in their position and think about what they’d most likely want or need to know. Start with the basics you’d tell anyone thinking about applying, such as: 

• Minimum education level or years of experience
• Tools or programs the applicant should know well
• Desired hard and soft skills 
• Salary range
• A brief description of benefits  
• A blurb about the company’s values
• The job’s closing date

Additionally, add content about remote working requirements and the overall experience, including: 

• Work completion time frames
• Language requirements 
• Minimum internet speed 
• Equipment provisions
• Tax specifics 
• Travel needs 

Diving Into the Particulars

Perhaps you’re fairly flexible about when remote web designers do their tasks, as long as at least half their workdays occur between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern time. You might also require applicants to be fluent English speakers and prefer they know at least one other language at an advanced level. 

If you worry about web designers completing assignments on outdated computers or slow connections, one of the best workarounds is to provide their equipment as a remote working benefit. Remote workers will also need to know whether the job will require any travel, and, if so, how often. Many people require visas before traveling, and some may need updated passports before confirming to your company that they’re ready to travel when required. 

Finally, clarify whether remote workers have specific tax responsibilities. If you’re hiring them as independent contractors, their countries of residence will likely require them to calculate taxes to pay to the relevant revenue authorities. But, if they’re employees, the amounts will be taken out of every paycheck. 

The clearer you are with the information, the better the chance people will apply with confidence and little or no confusion. It’s also useful to mention if unsuccessful applicants will get added to a database and considered for future opportunities. If you take that route, be upfront about it and make sure to comply with all relevant data retention and usage laws. 

Plan and Arrange Interviews and Pre-Hire Tests

As more companies hire remote web designers and other employees who can work from anywhere, decision-makers realize they can expand beyond interviews and screening practices. Although in-person interviews may happen in some cases, you may decide to stick to Zoom, phone calls and other methods that don’t require an applicant to be in the same room as you.

You might also ask people to show evidence of their skills by doing test projects you assign them. That’s a common and beneficial strategy when engaging with candidates who have already gone through multiple interview rounds. 

When determining when to hold interviews, keep potential time differences in mind. Some scheduling tools allow candidates to see available slots in their time zones, eliminating misunderstandings.

Steer clear of unintentionally ageist practices as you think about each interview or screening phase. For example, some people stereotype older workers as less tech-savvy. However, that’s not necessarily true. Indeed, these people typically didn’t grow up with technology the same way younger generations have. But many have taken it upon themselves to learn new skills and keep up with changes. Similarly, they’re often eager to learn and prove themselves, even if that means going outside their comfort zones. 

While describing each interview phase to successful candidates, be sufficiently descriptive to set expectations. For example, you might say, “You’ll meet with two senior team leads and the chief technology officer during this interview, which will last approximately 90 minutes. We’ll then send an assessment test by email that you must return to within 48 hours.” That way, everyone is on the same page with the proper information. 

Prioritize Continual Development 

A potential downside of bringing remote web designers on board is that you’re not necessarily interacting with them every day. That could mean you’re less informed about a remote worker’s career progress and aspirations. Fortunately, practical solutions exist. 

Introduce all your company’s professional development opportunities during the hiring phase. Emphasize to candidates that leaders are serious about making the workforce well-equipped to tackle current and existing needs. While explaining the company’s perks to someone in a late-stage interview, you might mention how each worker gets a yearly education budget to develop skills related to their work. Perhaps continual development means giving workers access to libraries of online courses and audiobooks or paying for their conference tickets.

Sometimes, an organization’s push for ongoing education happens after a downturn. Consider how LEGO cut 8% of its workforce due to sales declines. Part of the subsequent workforce rejuvenation effort involved polling all employees to learn which characteristics leaders possessed. Bravery, curiosity and focus were some of the leading aspects. Company decision-makers used those takeaways for inspiration when building an open-source leadership playground. That resource attracted 800 workers who wanted to develop their leadership skills. 

Even when remote web designers love their work arrangements, some may occasionally feel isolated from their colleagues. That reality can be especially hard for new hires who might experience early challenges fitting in and getting to know people. That’s why many companies host retreats for remote teams. Those getaways help attendees form bonds in new, exciting environments. They’re fun, with a heavy dose of professional development. 

Showing candidates that continuing development is a foundational aspect of your company is a great way to encourage them to stay accountable and pursue ongoing growth. This approach also sets your organization apart in a competitive market.

Are You Ready to Hire Remote Web Designers

Finding the best-qualified remote web designers isn’t easy, but expanding your candidate pool to accommodate remote workers is an excellent way to remove many barriers. Follow the tips above to move through all phases of recruitment without hassle.

AI models use massive amounts of data and images as part of their learning process. This has sparked heated debate on the ethics and legality of using copyrighted material and artists’ work without permission or compensation.

Numerous companies and organizations are working on a solution, but MIT Technology Review reports that Ben Zhao, a professor at the University of Chicago, led a team that created a new tool: Nightshade. This is the same team that created Glaze, a masking tool that hides an artists’ unique style from AI models.

According to the outlet, Nightshade works in a similar manner, altering pixels in a way that makes AI models believe the picture is something completely different from what it really is, all while being imperceptible to the naked eye.

MIT says Zhao’s team will integrate the two tools:

The team intends to integrate Nightshade into Glaze, and artists can choose whether they want to use the data-poisoning tool or not. The team is also making Nightshade open source, which would allow others to tinker with it and make their own versions. The more people use it and make their own versions of it, the more powerful the tool becomes, Zhao says. The data sets for large AI models can consist of billions of images, so the more poisoned images can be scraped into the model, the more damage the technique will cause.

Artists seem eager to use Nightshade to protect their work.

“It is going to make [AI companies] think twice, because they have the possibility of destroying their entire model by taking our work without our consent,” said illustrator and artist Eva Toorenent.

Video editing is far more difficult than standard image editing, but Adobe believes generative AI is the key. The company unveiled its Project Fast Fill at its Adobe MAX creative conference:

Project Fast Fill brings the power of Firefly generative AI to video for the first time. Leveraging Generative Fill technology – which Adobe Photoshop already uses to ease the addition, removal, or expansion of content in images with simple Firefly-powered text prompts – Project Fast Fill offers an early look at what human-prompted generative AI could enable inside Adobe video editing tools including Premiere Pro and After Effects.

“Adobe Sneaks are a can’t-miss, fan-favorite moment at MAX every year, and for good reason – nothing is more inspiring than brilliant employees demonstrating cutting-edge technologies that might power future Adobe products,” said Gavin Miller, vice president and fellow of Adobe Research. “Our passion for creators is at the heart of each Sneak, and this year’s showcase highlights exciting new ways generative AI and 3D technologies can supercharge creative expression, reimagining what Adobe tools make possible.”

Adobe says users have already generated more than 3 billion images with its Firefly image generator. The new version, Firefly Image 2, is designed to improve on the original with more realistic image generation.

Firefly Image 2 generates higher-quality images and illustrations, enhances human rendering quality with improvements to skin, hair, eyes, hands and body structure, offers better colors and improved dynamic range and provides users greater ability to control output – ultimately helping produce creative visions faster. Like the initial Firefly model, Firefly Image 2 is trained on licensed content, such as Adobe Stock, and public domain content where the copyright has expired. It supports text prompts in over 100 languages, along with new paid plans that include an allocation of “fast” Generative Credits.

The company says it is rapidly improving Firefly, providing users with commercially viable option.

“Our rapid, continuous pace of Firefly innovation continues with imaging, design and vector generation advancements – three new models that set new industry standards for output quality and user control,” said Ely Greenfield, chief technology officer, Digital Media at Adobe. “Firefly continues to offer the world’s best combination of visual capabilities, designed to be commercially safe, enables transformative new creative workflows across Adobe apps.”

Ive gained fame as Apple’s lead hardware designer, working closely with Steve Jobs and designing virtually all of the company’s hit products until his departure in late 2019. Ive left Apple to start his own design firm, LoveForm.

According to The Information, via TechCrunch, Ive is in talks with OpenAI to collaborate on a hardware project. Very little else is known about the potential venture, although SoftBank founder and CEO Masayoshi Son is reportedly involved as well.

Given Ive’s penchant for designing products that appeal to a wide range of people, his involvement in an OpenAI hardware project could be pivotal to helping AI see wider adoption.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment of software developers is projected to grow 22 percent from 2019 to 2029, significantly faster than the average for all occupations. This shows how popular the field is going to continue to be.

Whether you want to learn to code on your own, or to study a computer science degree at university, there are plenty of paths to becoming a software developer. This article aims to explore them as well as the skills you will need and the salary you may earn.

What Can I Study At Uni To Become A Software Developer?

Many people who want to become software developers choose to study computer science at university. This degree typically lasts for 3 years and covers a wide range of topics including but not limited to:

• Programming
• Algorithms
• Data structures
• Computer systems
• Virtual private networks 

It also allows students to specialise in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, or software engineering.

One of the huge advantages of studying at university is the opportunity to access a wide range of resources and opportunities. You will work on projects with other students, get access to the latest research, and bounce your ideas off industry experts. 

Your degree will also give you the chance to get internships or work placements, which can help you to gain the real-world experience you need to thrive in your career. It will also help you to make contacts in your industry and potentially also help you to land your first job.

Do I Need To Go To Uni To Become A Software Developer?

No! If you would rather not study at university, or if you are already working in a different field, you can still become a software developer. You can take advantage of the wealth of information available on the internet for free, including:

• Coding bootcamps 
• Online courses 
• Ebooks
• Video tutorials

These resources can help you to gain all the skills you need to get started. Some of these resources even offer job placement services upon completion. Software tutorials can be quite helpful.

One huge advantage of this approach is that it is far cheaper than studying at university, and avoids you falling into debt. You are able to learn at your own pace and focus on gaining the skills you need for your career.

The downside is that it can be significantly harder to get your foot in the door without a degree. Although you will be able to gain all the relevant skills without a degree, you may be in a position where you have to work harder to prove your skills and experience to your potential employers. 

What Skills Do I Need To Become A Software Developer?

The skills you need to become a software developer include:

• Programming languages: You must have a certain level of competency in at least one programming language, such as Python, Java, or C++. You may need to learn multiple languages depending on the projects you work on.
• Algorithms and data structures: You will need to understand how they work in order to write efficient and effective code.
• Software development methodologies: You will need to be familiar with agile and other software development methodologies.
• Problem-solving skills: In your day-to-day life as a software developer, you must solve complex problems that require you to think creatively and analytically.
• Communication skills: You will need good communication skills to collaborate effectively with other developers, designers, and stakeholders.

How Much Do Software Developers Make?

The salary of a software developer will depend on factors such as experience, location, and industry. However, the average annual salary for a software developer in the UK is around £40,000 to £50,000. 

Entry-level positions tend to be around £25,000, whereas experienced developers can make over £80,000. 

Software developers working in industries such as finance, healthcare, and government will likely have access to higher salaries than those in other industries, and developers working in cities such as London may earn higher salaries than their countryside counterparts.

What Are The Downsides Of Becoming A Software Developer?

The downsides of working as a software developer include the following:

Long Hours

Software development can require long hours, particularly when working on a big project or when facing tight deadlines. Many software developers state that their hours can sometimes lead to burnout or work-life imbalance.

Sitting for Extended Periods

As with all computer-based jobs,  software developers spend a lot of time sitting at their desks. This can lead to health problems like back pain or carpal tunnel syndrome. To avoid these issues, it is  important to take regular breaks to stretch, walk, or engage in some light exercise.

Constant Learning

This may not be a ‘downside’ depending on your perspective. Because technology is always evolving, software developers need to keep on top of the latest developments, including learning new programming languages. This can require a lot of continuous learning, sometimes even in your free time.

Pressure to Deliver

Many software developers work on high-stakes projects. This is especially true for those working in industries such as finance and healthcare. One small mistake might lead to serious consequences, creating a sometimes overwhelming amount of pressure to deliver top-quality work under tight deadlines.

Collaboration 

Software developers often need to collaborate with designers and stakeholders, as well as other developers. These people may be remote, and even in different timezones. 

Whilst working independently may be an advantage, you may be at the helm of any clients that you have, which could mean working long hours whilst not getting the same bonuses, rewards or financial assistance from working in a large firm.

What Are The Advantages Of Becoming A Software Developer?

The advantages of working as a software developer include the following:

High Demand

The demand for skilled software developers is high, and will continue to be as long as technology continues to play such a huge role in our lives. This means that the field boasts generally strong job prospects, especially compared to other fields. 

Remote Working

Being a software developer means you could work in a fast-paced tech environment or work remotely or anywhere in the world if you wanted to. It allows for a good quality of life and work life balance if you have children or enjoy travelling.

High Salaries

Entry-level positions in software development are higher than many other fields, and the salaries only continue to grow. As developers gain experience or find a specialisation, they gain access to even higher salaries. 

Creative Problem-Solving

Software development is a creative field that gives developers a chance to use their problem-solving skills. Quick thinking is needed to create clever solutions to complex problems, which can be very satisfying for most developers.