✏ Issue #480: Computers and Creativity, Top 10 Illustration Apps, User Interviews, Chornobyl Exclusion Zone Logo, and more…

Grammarly is an indispensable tool for anyone who writes; whether you’re creating blog posts, generating web copy, or just replying to emails, not only will it correct spelling errors and grammar mistakes, but using the power of AI it can actually tell you how readers will interpret your tone, whether you sound confident, and how to make your writing more impactful. - AD

Many designers endorse the point of view that content is king, but they’re wrong; personality is king because personality makes a connection with customers. In this excellent article, Sarah Simpkin explains the role tone of voice plays in brand design and user experience, and looks at how creatives can use it to win more work.

Yuzu is an incredible product to automate tasks with steps that require human decision-making. It allows you to build processes for your team that are fully automated but branch at human decision points, which means you can leverage the power of automation, but keep humans at the heart of your team. You can join the beta now.

In this quick rundown, we rank the top ten illustration apps right now, starting with the very good, and counting down to the great. We’ve taken into account various concerns, and you’ll find options for every platform from iOS to Linux. You might be surprised by the app that took the number one spot unless, that is, you’re already using it.

One of the first things you need to do when you start a project is research, and one of the best kinds of research is user interviews. In this great guide, Nick Babich explains the steps to conducting a successful user interview that guides your product development in the right direction, from prepping questions, to who to recruit.

If the last year has taught us anything, it’s that video calls are exhausting. Around aims to solve video calls' problems with the power of AI: Everyone on a call is shown as a discrete avatar so you can keep working, faces are cropped to make backgrounds safer, and unexpected noises are automatically muted. You can try it now.

Computers have enabled a whole generation of professionals to embrace digital creativity, but our ability to be creative is dependent on how articulate our tools allow us to be. In this in-depth analysis, Molly Mielke contrasts technological innovation with human innovation and identifies the qualities in digital tools that enable creativity.

One of the most common issues online is how to handle text over images. The lack of contrast can make text illegible, even for those who don’t consider themselves visually impaired. In this great how-to post, Ahmad Shadeed walks us through the various options and shows us how to implement layers with CSS to make our text readable.

This exemplary logomark has been designed for the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. The logo has 78 annual variations, from a solid hexagon representing 1986, transforming to a light starburst for 2064 when the former power station will be fully decommissioned. It’s an amazing example of a minimal brand design engaging on an emotional level.