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Design Tools and Software

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Have SpudGun, Will Travel: How AI’s Agreeableness Risks Undermining UX Thinking

  • AI Ethics, AI in UX, Artificial Intelligence, ChatGPT, Design Thinking, Design Tools and Software, Human-Centered Design, LLM, Research Methods and Techniques, UX Research

Mashed potatoes as a lifestyle brand? When AI starts generating user personas for absurd products — and we start taking them seriously — it’s time to ask if we’ve all lost the plot. This sharp, irreverent critique exposes the real risks of using LLMs as synthetic users in UX research.

Article by Saul Wyner
IDEAS IN BRIEF
Have SpudGun, Will Travel: How AI’s Agreeableness Risks Undermining UX Thinking
  • The article explores the growing use of AI-generated personas in UX research and why it’s often a shortcut with serious flaws.
  • It introduces critiques that LLMs are trained to mimic structure, not judgment. When researchers use AI as a stand-in for real users, they risk mistaking coherence for credibility and fantasy for data.
  • The piece argues that AI tools in UX should be assistants, not oracles. Trusting “synthetic users” or AI-conjured feedback risks replacing real insights with confident nonsense.
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22 min read

A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a “Design System” in PowerPoint

  • Design Tools and Software, Design Workflow, PowerPoint, Presentation Design, Visual Design

Struggling with PowerPoint’s design limitations? This step-by-step guide shows you how to build systematic design solutions, from mastering slide layouts to using sticker sheets for patterns. Learn to create polished, professional presentations with smart workarounds and helpful tips.

Article by Jim Gulsen
IDEAS IN BRIEF
A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a “Design System” in PowerPoint
  • The article gives a step-by-step guide to building systematic patterns in PowerPoint. It talks about the program’s limitations and gives essential tips like mastering slide layouts and customizing text settings.
  • It suggests using PowerPoint’s automated features carefully and advocating for manual workarounds to elevate quality.
  • The piece introduces creating sticker sheets for reusable design components and highlights strategies for successful workflows.
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5 min read

Why Designers Hate PowerPoint (and How to Fix It)

  • Design Process, Design Templates, Design Tools and Software, Design Workflow, PowerPoint, Presentation Design, Visual Design

Why do designers grumble at the mere mention of PowerPoint? Discover smart strategies that turn frustration into creative solutions.

Article by Jim Gulsen
IDEAS IN BRIEF
Why Designers Hate PowerPoint (and How to Fix It)
  • The article examines why PowerPoint often frustrates designers, from its limited design capabilities to inefficient workflows, and explores opportunities to bridge those gaps.
  • It highlights strategies like building systematic design elements, creating templates, and augmenting slides with other design tools.
  • The piece underscores the importance of collaboration, simplicity, and proactive planning to elevate design and streamline workflows.
  • It highlights practical methods to help designers balance quality and speed for presentations that are both functional and visually engaging.
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4 min read

A Brief History of Design Systems. Part 1

  • Design Evolution, Design Strategy, Design Systems, Design Thinking, Design Tools and Software, Digital Transformation, Historical Analysis, UX Design

Discover the journey of design systems — from the modularity of early industrial and printing innovations to today’s digital frameworks that shape user experiences. This article reveals how design systems evolved into powerful tools for cohesive branding, efficient scaling, and unified collaboration across design and development teams. Dive into the history and future of design systems!

Article by Jim Gulsen
IDEAS IN BRIEF
A Brief History of Design Systems. Part 1
  • The article offers a historical perspective on design systems, tracing their origins from early modularity concepts in industrial design to the digital era, where they have become essential for consistent user experiences.
  • It highlights the evolution of design systems as organizations sought ways to streamline UI and UX elements, allowing teams to maintain cohesive branding while speeding up development.
  • The piece draws parallels between the development of design systems and pivotal moments in history, especially in print technology, where breakthroughs transformed access and consistency. These precedents show how modern design systems evolved into essential tools for business value.
  • It emphasizes how modern design systems empower teams to scale efficiently, fostering a shared language among designers and developers, and promoting a user-centered approach that benefits both businesses and end-users.
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16 min read

UX Approach to Marketing Design: Lessons From IKEA

  • Design, Design Theory, Design Tools and Software, Marketing and Brand, The rise of design, UX Education, UX Magazine
Article by Daryna Moskovchuk
IDEAS IN BRIEF
UX Approach to Marketing Design: Lessons From IKEA
  • The article delves into how integrating UX principles into marketing design can enhance customer engagement and drive business success, using IKEA’s approach as a case study.
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5 min read

How to Create Storyboards for Design Projects Using Generative AI

  • Design Tools and Software, Generative AI

How to use storyboarding in UX and service design without the knowledge of sketching or graphic design

Article by Yaron Cohen
IDEAS IN BRIEF
How to Create Storyboards for Design Projects Using Generative AI
  • The article delves into the utilization of generative AI to create storyboards for design projects, catering particularly to individuals lacking sketching or graphic design skills.
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9 min read
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