Dribbble's latest release introduces features that enable designers to transact directly with clients through the platform, including project requests, proposals, and payments. The initiative aligns with Dribbble's mission to help designers earn a living and has increased lead flow by 242% year-over-year. Designers benefit from peace of mind, more leads, and low transaction fees, while clients enjoy secure payments and project conversion support.

Dribbble has introduced significant updates to make finding and hiring designers easier. It has eliminated previously paid features to enhance connectivity within the community, making it free for any user to message other users and search for designers to hire. New features allow hirers to promote their open design roles or projects more effectively with highlighted and pinned job listings. Dribbble is also reintroducing the Weekly Warm-up, a design prompt challenge starting June 3rd, to encourage creative engagement and highlight standout designs.

Adobe Behance Pro users will no longer have to pay platform fees for revenue generated from asset sales, freelance hiring transactions, and subscriptions. They will have access to a range of new tools and advanced analytics dashboards on traffic sources and search terms. Behance Pro users can access Adobe Portfolio and import projects from Behance directly, share work with unique links, lock it with passwords, and schedule its release.

Design system experts from Bumble, GitHub, and HP discuss leveraging the new Code Connect feature to integrate design and code, highlighting the importance of a shared language and seamless workflow. They emphasize the need for continuous collaboration and the adoption of best practices to maximize the utility of design systems, ensuring consistency and reducing friction between designers and developers.

New features in Sketch 100 include a significant prototyping update, a redesigned web app, better prototype sharing, two workflow-enhancing tools, the ability to pin documents and projects, new token exports, and improvements to the web app notifications view. There are also minor updates to permission groups and archiving.

Mural combines design thinking and Agile methodologies, enabling teams to visualize ideas, prioritize tasks, and align strategies effectively. The process enhances collaboration through visual tools, anonymous voting, and customizable templates, making it easier to manage complex projects and gather client feedback in real time.

Figma is updating its drafts system, requiring users on Starter and Professional plans to move their drafts into team spaces for better organization and access to paid features. This change addresses unclear ownership issues, inconsistent experiences, and security by ensuring all drafts are associated with teams while remaining private and free to edit. Users will have time to transition their drafts. The update aims to improve future billing and project management for freelancers.

Canva's collaboration team implemented real-time mouse pointers to make its whiteboard product better. Initially, they utilized a backend-centric architecture using WebSockets and Redis, which scaled to support hundreds of thousands of simultaneous users, but had limitations in update rate. Recognizing these limitations, the team migrated to a WebRTC-based architecture, which allowed direct peer-to-peer communication between clients, reducing latency and improving scalability.

Figma has undertaken a significant redesign of its interface, known as UI3, aimed at enhancing the user experience for designers. This overhaul was driven by a desire to minimize distractions and keep the focus on the design work itself. The team dedicated over two years to this project, iterating on various concepts and even reversing some initial design decisions based on user feedback. The goal was to create an interface that not only meets the needs of current users but also anticipates future demands. The redesign process involved a deep engagement with user feedback, as the team recognized that understanding the needs of designers is crucial. Marcin Wichary, the Design Director, emphasized the importance of listening to users and processing their feedback carefully, as metrics related to creativity and flow are often elusive. The team aimed to ensure that the redesign journey included input from a broad range of users, making the transition smoother and more inclusive. One of the key features of UI3 is the introduction of docked panels, which allow for a more streamlined workspace. The team explored various configurations for these panels, including floating options, but ultimately decided to fix them in place based on user feedback indicating that floating panels could be distracting and hinder productivity. The redesign also introduced a "Minimize UI" feature, which collapses side panels to provide a distraction-free workspace while still allowing easy access to tools. The evolution of blend modes and the properties panel was another focus area. The team sought to modernize these elements while ensuring they remained intuitive for users. For instance, the blend modes were initially hidden behind an icon, which slowed down workflows. The final design features an inline dropdown for easier access, reflecting a balance between minimalism and functionality. Throughout the redesign, the team engaged in extensive collaboration and feedback sessions, adapting their approach based on insights gathered from users. This iterative process included experimenting with various design elements, such as clip content controls, which ultimately returned to a checkbox format for clarity and efficiency. Recognizing that redesigns can be daunting for users, Figma provided an opt-out option during the beta phase of UI3, allowing users to familiarize themselves with the new interface at their own pace. This gradual rollout is intended to facilitate a smoother transition and ensure that users feel supported as they adapt to the changes. As UI3 becomes available to all users on October 10, the Figma team encourages ongoing feedback to continue shaping the future of their design tools. The redesign reflects a commitment to enhancing user experience while remaining responsive to the needs of the design community.

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Adobe has revamped Frame.io, incorporating extensive workflow and tagging features to simplify project management for creatives. It will be rolled out first for Free and Pro users, with team/enterprise updates expected later in the year. The update introduces a customizable metadata framework for organizing media and enhances the review process with detailed feedback options, including emoji reactions and anchored comments.

Curated tools 🖌️ , trends 🎨, and inspiration 💡 for design professionals

Curated tools 🖌️ , trends 🎨, and inspiration 💡 for design professionals

Reddit's new Lead Generation Ads allow Redditors to provide advertisers with key information (such as name and email) without leaving the platform. During beta testing, advertisers across various industries saw improvements in lead quality and campaign performance. Zapier's integration allows advertisers to seamlessly send leads directly into their CRM of choice, automate lead segmentation and outreach processes, and more.

LinkedIn is rolling out new features, including a "Contribute your expertise" tool for collaborative articles, to enhance content quality. The platform also moved into short-form video following wider social media trends, potentially offering marketers a new way to engage audiences, and introduced Dynamic UTMs and Shutterstock integration in ads to streamline campaign management and improve ad performance.

Figma introduced a significant UI redesign, generative AI tools, and slide creation functionalities at its Config conference. The redesign includes a new toolbar, rounded corners, and 200 new icons. It aims to make the platform more approachable for new users and useful for experienced ones. The new AI tools can help users quickly create project drafts, while Figma Slides enables users to build and share presentations within the app.

Figma is enhancing its design capabilities with the reintroduction of a feature previously known as Make Designs, now renamed First Draft. This change aims to better encapsulate the feature's purpose: providing designers with a streamlined way to initiate their projects. The design process often involves navigating various challenges before reaching a first draft, and Figma recognizes the potential of AI to alleviate some of this tedium, allowing designers to more effectively translate their ideas into tangible designs. First Draft operates using established AI models, such as OpenAI’s GPT-4 and Amazon Titan, and is built on three core components: model, context, and prompt. The context is enriched with proprietary design systems that include a variety of components and assembly examples. Users can input their design objectives as prompts, and the AI will then curate and customize design elements accordingly, creating a foundational design for users to build upon. At the recent Config 2024 event, Figma announced over ten new AI features in limited beta, including First Draft. Initially launched as Make Designs, the feature faced challenges due to its design system producing outputs too similar to existing applications, prompting a temporary suspension. After thorough analysis and refinement, First Draft has been reintroduced with significant updates. Users can now select from four distinct libraries tailored to their needs, ranging from low-fidelity wireframes to high-fidelity designs, facilitating a more exploratory design process. Looking ahead, Figma envisions First Draft evolving to support custom libraries, enabling organizations to utilize their unique design languages without the hassle of manually sifting through numerous components. This initiative is being developed in collaboration with industry-standard design systems, such as Google Material 3, to demonstrate how robust, code-backed components can enhance team collaboration and iteration. Figma AI, including the First Draft feature, is currently in limited beta and will be gradually rolled out to users in the coming months. The team is committed to gathering user feedback to continuously improve the feature and ensure it meets the needs of designers effectively. Noah Levin, the Vice President of Design at Figma, oversees these developments, emphasizing the importance of integrating intelligent tools to empower designers and enhance their creative processes.

Behance is a platform that serves as a showcase for creative work, allowing artists, designers, and other creative professionals to display their portfolios and connect with potential clients and collaborators. It provides a space for users to upload their projects, share their creative processes, and receive feedback from the community. The platform is widely used by individuals in various fields, including graphic design, photography, illustration, and more. Users can create profiles that highlight their skills and experiences, making it easier for others to discover their work. Behance also features a social networking aspect, where users can follow each other, appreciate projects, and comment on submissions, fostering a sense of community among creatives. In addition to showcasing individual work, Behance offers tools for project management and collaboration, enabling teams to work together on creative projects. The platform is integrated with Adobe Creative Cloud, allowing users to easily upload their work from Adobe applications, streamlining the process of sharing and promoting their projects. Behance also plays a significant role in the job market for creatives. Many companies and recruiters use the platform to find talent, making it a valuable resource for those seeking employment or freelance opportunities. The visibility gained from a well-curated Behance profile can lead to new projects and collaborations, enhancing a creative professional's career prospects. Overall, Behance is a vital resource for creatives looking to showcase their work, connect with others in the industry, and explore job opportunities, all within a supportive and engaging online community.

Figma's Make Designs feature has been renamed to First Draft. First Draft allows users to input design goals, then uses AI to select, arrange, and customize design system components, creating a starting point for designs. It aims to give designers more ways to explore their options and help bring ideas to life. First Draft is now available in a limited beta and will be rolled out to users gradually over the coming months.

Knock lets your prospects start Slack conversations directly from your website, pricing page, YouTube channel, and more. It removes the barriers of forms and website chatbots while cutting costs and shortening sales cycles.

Envato's recent rebrand after its acquisition by Shutterstock emphasizes its commitment to empowering creatives worldwide. The new identity includes a fresh logo inspired by the creative spark and dynamic dot. This collaborative rebrand, extending to a revamped website and custom sonic identity, involved Envato's in-house team and external creatives. The redesigned platform aims to enhance user experience and instill a sense of energy and innovation.

Figma has announced a major UI redesign, new generative AI tools, and a built-in slide show functionality. The UI redesign includes a new toolbar, rounded corners, and 200 new icons. The new generative AI tools allow users to quickly get started with a design. Figma Slides is a Google Slides-like feature that allows users to build and share presentations inside the app. It has interactive features for audience members and allows designers to present app prototypes right from the deck. Figma Slides is free while the feature is still beta - it will eventually become a paid feature once officially launched.

Vizcom has closed a $20 million Series A round of financing to continue expanding its AI-powered industrial design platform and growing its team. Through the platform, designers can transform sketches into photorealistic renderings and explore countless design variations while collaborating with other team members in real time. Rather than replacing designers, Vizcom's user-centric approach empowers them with an intuitive user interface that allows them to import sketches, draw directly within the application, and refine designs using natural language commands.

The recent updates to Figma, including new AI features and a redesigned interface, have frustrated many designers. Critics argue that Figma is prioritizing profit and appealing to non-designers at the expense of usability and the needs of its core design community, leading to concerns about the product's future direction.

AI design tools, like Midjourney, DALL-E, and Adobe Sensei, enhance the design process by handling repetitive tasks, analyzing data, and generating ideas. While they offer speed and efficiency, they lack the human touch needed for emotional and cultural nuances. The future of design lies in blending AI's capabilities with human creativity, allowing designers to focus on strategic and creative aspects and creating more impactful and emotionally resonant work.

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Mobbin, a mobile and web design reference library, found that adding elements like feature tables and FAQs on the pricing page dramatically increased engagement and conversion rates for free plans, but in some scenarios reduced paid plan sales. Its team believed that this extra content was a distraction for the segment of users who had already decided to buy. Mobbin ran a test that routed higher-intent users (those who clicked on a ‘Get Pro' link) to a slimmed down version of the plan pricing, without the free option. This resulted in an 18% increase in transactions.

LinkedIn has introduced a revamped company page layout that includes features like easier admin access, a new identity switcher for engaging with other posts, and premium options like custom CTA buttons. These updates streamline page management and help brands engage more effectively. Other new tools like LinkedIn newsletters have shown rapid audience growth potential, with some pages gaining thousands of subscribers within weeks.

NDFNO Design Foundry is a creative platform that focuses on innovative design solutions. Among its offerings, the foundry has introduced several new tools and features aimed at enhancing the design process. One of the notable tools is the Rastr, which is designed to assist in raster graphics manipulation. This tool allows designers to work more efficiently with pixel-based images, providing them with the flexibility to create and edit graphics seamlessly. Another exciting addition is the Rotorizer, which is expected to offer unique functionalities for design projects. While details are still emerging, it promises to be a valuable asset for those looking to expand their design capabilities. Additionally, the foundry is preparing to launch an X-Ray tool, which will likely provide insights into design layers and structures, allowing for a deeper understanding of the design elements at play. An extruder tool is also on the horizon, which may facilitate the creation of three-dimensional designs or effects. In the realm of typography, NDFNO Design Foundry is delving into TrueType hinting. This aspect of font design is crucial for ensuring that typefaces render clearly and crisply at various sizes and resolutions. The foundry aims to share insights and knowledge about this process, catering to those who are curious about the intricacies of type design. Overall, NDFNO Design Foundry is committed to pushing the boundaries of design through innovative tools and educational content, making it a valuable resource for designers seeking to enhance their skills and creativity.