Simple designs are scientifically better. — By now, most of us are familiar with minimalism in design. Over the last decade, you’ve seen plenty of the ever-familiar Apple aesthetic, overuse of Helvetica and sans-serifs, hidden navigation, the exaggeration of negative space and understated color palettes. But like with most trends, a style reaches a saturation point…

How getting out of the office has helped me grow as a designer. — In a creative business like mine, the office represents a lot: to clients, it communicates legitimacy and credibility; to employees, it communicates stability; to everyone else, it communicates success. Before becoming a design entrepreneur, I viewed the office as the centerpiece of a business. After starting MSTQ four years ago…

The non-obvious red flags I look for. — Update: the views and opinions expressed in this article are solely my own and based on my own experience. This list is not meant, in any way, to be used as hiring principles for product designers or as criteria for performance reviews. 1. They never ask why. The product designer is ultimately the steward of…

Describing design processes is impossible. — Have you ever had to teach an infant child how to speak? Does it make you a bad parent if you can’t sit your 18 month child down and prepare them for all the things they need to know about talking? Sounds Ridiculous, Right? Because it is ridiculous. Breaking down and sharing a…

The key to digital tech’s ethical dilemma is innovation and optimism — “Stand back!” yelled Arthur Edsall in an imported Roger-Benz, one of the first-ever petrol cars. He, along with two other passengers, was demonstrating the German-manufactured, French-assembled car near the Crystal Palace in southeast London, driving at what a witness called a “tremendous pace, like a fire engine — as fast…

Dark patterns work well. Too well. And there’s not much you can do about it. — Have you ever tried to delete your Amazon account? Of course not. But if you ever wanted to, you’d quickly realize that it’s a borderline impossible task. …

How two weeks in Copenhagen gave me perspective on design. — Good product design, at best, can help someone save money or time. It can also help someone complete a task more effectively or efficiently. At a minimum, good design can make someone feel good. I know it may seem menial, but ask yourself, what does “feeling good” really mean? What…

Forget resolutions. Make it a New Year’s habit. — For most of us, a resolution worthy enough to save for the New Year is usually one that is important to us. …

It’s worth quoting at length. — Shortly after his death in 2011, I picked up the Steve Jobs biography (written by Walter Isaacson) and, like most people, I was inspired by his story. I raved about the book to all my friends and family and recommended it to as many people as I could whenever I…