Proof of Concept - The top issues from 2023
Happy Prometheus Eve to those who celebrate. I'm off the rest of the year and looking forward to a quiet week to relax and reflect; a great time to reflect on another year of Proof of Concept. I curated some of the top issues from this year. There is no magic formula or algorithm to do this; just personal curation based on feedback and what the data tells me. Honorable mentionsAlways start with the honorable mentions. I picked five that were fun to write but not necessarily at the top of the list: The Top 10This year I introduced a paid subscription for the archives, so I’ll summarize each one instead of only linking them. If you stumbled upon this newsletter, consider signing up for free so you’ll always have the archive in your inbox! Dynamic InterfacesMay 28 | Link to Part Un | Link to Part Deux | Link to Part Trois The most popular post by a long shot, Dynamic Interfaces became a three-part series about how I see how we build, interact, and interface with software. Computation continues to get more powerful, and with the learning cycle being accelerated with AI, I believe there is a world where interfaces will not only present themselves in precise use cases, but the application will re-design the interface itself based on feedback.
The role of taste (and what it means)February 12, 2023 | Link to post While in Brooklyn, I wrote about Rick Ruben's then-new book, "The Creative Act: A Way of Being" while in Brooklyn, New York. There was a 60 Minutes interview clip that made the rounds on Twitter. In the interview, Ruben admitted he doesn’t know how to play any instruments. How could one of the most renowned producers of all time be credible if he can’t make music? It’s because Ruben has taste, and it’s an important skill. Notes:
Tech is going through a factory reset momentApril 30, 2023 | Link to post With layoffs, a recession, and a technological paradigm shift with AI, 2023 started feeling like 2013 again. I wrote about what the factory reset moment entails, and why it's not about if it's "good or bad." Notes:
The rise of the Design FounderJune 25 | Link to post It’s been incredible to see more designers take the plunge and start companies. When I started in my career, there were very few design founders and now we see incredible company leaders like Karri Saarinen from Linear show what it’s like to be design-led as a CEO. Notes:
The four types of software in the futureJuly 16 | Link to post As I thought about the landscape of AI and more accessible software creation, I wrote about what types of software might emerge due to it. It's one of the reasons I joined Replit and I am very excited about this new world. Notes:
Why brand designers make great product designersFebruary 26 | Link to post I've never liked having Brand and Product Design separate. Most companies split it into S&M and R&D. It makes sense to operate as a business, but a huge mistake for design outcomes. Notes:
Waiting for AI's pull to refresh momentSeptember | Link to post Linus Lee sums it well on his Latent Space podcast, saying: "In the aftermath of new foundational technology emerging, there is often a period of a few years of the winners in the market get to decide what the interface paradigm for the technology is." It's the race to the interface.
TechniqueAugust 27 | Link to post In the same week I started writing about this topic, Sera Tajima shared a wonderful quote from her dance instructor: Today the teacher said something along the lines of how "technique can be your prison or it can be your key to freedom." The formula for technique is: Intention + Deliberate Practice = Outcomes (high quality + effective) Notes:
The future of Design is PLGOctober 15 | Link to post According to Frontegg, 77% percent of people will only use a SaaS product if it's self-serve. Some of the key pillars of self service include signup, onboarding, documentation, support, subscriptions, and security. Product-led growth (PLG) is placing the product at the center of your company's growth strategy. The core pillars of PLG are Acquisition, Expansion, Conversion, and Retention. The key is overseeing the entire end-to-end customer experience. You might be wondering, "Wait, isn't this experience design in the first place?" Notes:
Choosing a companyNovember 5 | Link to post I left Webflow and joined Replit this year. In this post, I shared my framework for how I decide on choosing a company. For me, it comes down to: purpose, product, and people. Notes:
Thank you for reading2023 marks the third full year of writing Proof of Concept. I’m motivated and inspired to keep this going because of your readership and feedback. Next week I’ll do a personal lookback on the year and my intention for 2024. P.S. A note on Substack This newsletter is powered by Substack; a platform I owe a lot to in fueling my writing practices and the reason I’ve been able to connect with many of you. This article on The Verge has been making the rounds and I’m aware of it. The beauty of the open internet is the choice of what platforms you want to be affiliated with, and the stance by Substack in this particular case is disappointing. I’m not going to tell people what to do, but will tell you what I’ll do; switch to a different platform after the holidays. For paid subscribers, please note I’ll reach out about migrating you over. It also aligns with one of my 2024 goals of building more of a personal stack on the internet. 1 Post coming in 2024 You're currently a free subscriber to Proof of Concept. For the full experience, upgrade your subscription. |
Older messages
Demo culture
Sunday, December 17, 2023
Issue 173: A process built on trust
Signals of interface quality
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Issue 172: Looking at the seams and ergonomics digital craft
The importance of tools
Sunday, December 3, 2023
Issue 171: Why what we use to build matters
Designing with iOS software materials and Play
Sunday, November 26, 2023
170: The key to raw materials in software and creating with Play
A brief expression of gratitude
Sunday, November 19, 2023
Issue 170: The week to be especially thankful
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