Weekly curated resources for designersthinkers andmakers.Transparency matters because it ensures Trust between the author and the reader. Its often an unspoken ethical contract: I sign my name on this article and you, the reader, believe me when I said that I wrote it (I did). But AI disrupts this assumption.Should we disclose our use of AI in the first place? If so, when and how should it be disclosed?A transparency framework for AI By JoshLaMarIs your UX research driving business decisions, or is it sitting on a shelf? [Sponsored] Looking to enhance the impact of your UX research? Learn from top UX research experts on how to maximize the business influence of your research and tackle its visibility challenges. Gain actionable insights to elevate your strategy in thisblog.Editor picksDeepSeek: when UI doesnt matter Localization, prompting and a cute little whale.By Rosie HoggmascallDeepSeek rains on the AI hype parade Who could have predicted AI is a dotcom bubble?By NeelDozomeChatGPT vs DeepSeek Who did better at color sequencing?By Theresa-Marie RhyneThe UX Collective is an independent design publication that elevates unheard design voices and helps designers think more critically about theirwork.A quote from a 1979 internal IBM documentMake methinkMissed connections I fell in love with the web for this reason, this feeling of connection. You could search the world and find someone who saw what you see, felt what you feel, went through what youre going through. Contrast that with today. Today you have a problem. You ask a question in a prompt. And you get back something. But theres no human behindit.Designing for clarity It wasnt broken, but it wasnt serving our users anymore. Workflows were harder to locate, settings were scattered and confusing, and some navigation labels left users unsure of where to go. One user described it as wandering through a maze of features. The signs were clearit was time to pause, reflect, and redesign.AI slop, suspicion, and writing back I think to some extent, well have to live with slop being out there. My hope is that the returns to non-slop content stay high enough to keep human writing valuable and worth pursuing.Little gems thisweekAI-generated art is postmodern art By Michael F.BuckleyThe internet is unusable By StephenMooreUX is easy, but we made it complicated By KikePeaTools and resourcesThe new AI workflow Designing, developing, and deploying a web app entirely using AI.By SajidSaiyedAnimation tool for UX For designers who dont have time for After Effects.By AlliePaschalDesigning for older audiences A checklist to improve usability for all generations.By MatthewStephensSupport the newsletterIf you find our content helpful, heres how you can supportus:Check out this weeks sponsor to support their worktooForward this email to a friend and invite them to subscribeSponsor aneditionAI transparency framework, DeepSeeks UX, a new AI-powered design workflow was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

If youve just picked up one of the latest Apple iPhone 16 models, you may be wondering what the best way is to keep your shiny new handset protected and free from scratches. Thats where a good protective case comes in. Lets face it, accidents happen. Whether its an unexpected drop, scratches from your keys or just daily wear and tear, your Apple smartphone can easily get dented or scuffed. A high-quality case will act like armor, preventing scratches, dents and cracks. And some cases go beyond just basic protection they include extra features like raised edges around the camera to shield the most vulnerable parts of your device, and cutouts for easy access to the camera control button, action button and USB-C port (you may also want to consider a screen protector to go along with it).Of course, not all cases are created equal. Some are designed for heavy-duty protection, ideal if youre someone whos constantly on the go or prone to accidents, while others are more about style and slimness, giving you a sleek look without adding bulk. There are even cases that include things like a kickstand so you can more easily enjoy your favorite content. The key is finding one that suits both your lifestyle and your phone model especially with the new iPhone 16 lineup. Make sure the case you pick is specifically compatible with your iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16, or iPhone 16 Plus, so everything fits perfectly and works with features like MagSafe so that you can use a wireless charger. Best iPhone cases for 2025 iPhone case FAQs What is the most protective brand of phone cases? There is no one "most protective" brand of phone cases, but rather there are many that tout extra security for your handset. Some of the most protective phone cases we've tried come from Otterbox; most of the brand's cases have a bit more protection than your standard phone case, even the ones that are designed to be on the slim side. Otterbox also makes a wide variety of phone cases, so there's a good chance you'll find one that suits your style and provides the level of protection you're looking for. Otterbox's Defender series is one of the best you can get if you care first and foremost about making sure your phone survives all kinds of accidents (save for a dunk in a pool). Silicone vs hard case: Which one is better? Neither silicone nor hard cases are better than the other. Silicone cases tend to be thinner and feel soft to the touch, and they're often easier to put on and take off of phones. Hard cases can be on the thicker side, but they provide a bit more drop protection than silicone cases. Which type of case is best for you depends on the type of experience you want from your phone. It's also worth nothing that both silicone cases and hard cases come in a variety of colors, designs and styles, so you have plenty of choose from to match your personality on both sides.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-iphone-cases-153035988.html?src=rss

GoCardless reported a net loss of 35.1 million in the full year ending June 2024, down 55% year-over-year.

Cameron Diaz as Emily on the set of Back In Action.Cr. John Wilson/Netflix 2024.The post On The Set Pic: Back in Action appeared first on befores & afters.

A helicopter flying over your head, the ground rumbling under your feet, bullets whizzing by your ears: If its up to Google and Samsung, then your movie nights will soon sound like youre in the middle of the action.The two companies announced a new 3D audio format called Eclipsa Audio this month that will soon bring spatial audio to compatible devices, starting with this years Samsung TVs and soundbars. Google is also bringing Eclipsa Audio to YouTube, where creators will soon be able to upload content with immersive audio, and has plans to extend support for it to Android phones, Chrome browsers, as well as TVs, soundbars and streaming devices made by a number of other companies.Does all of this sound familiar? Thats no accident: Dolby has been offering very similar capabilities with its own Dolby Atmos immersive audio format, which has been licensed by most major device makers and streaming services. But while Dolby charges its licensing partners for every device shipped to consumers, Google and Samsung are offering Eclipsa royalty-free. And while other open media initiatives have struggled to catch on in the past, Eclipsas backers are betting that a consumer-friendly brand will help the 3D audio format to become an all-around success story.Spatial audio, immersive audio is going to be the new big thing in the audio space, says Googles Eclipsa Audio project lead Jani Huoponen.A fifty-year-old invention, rediscovered for the streaming ageSpatial audio itself is not new: British researchers first developed a way to immerse listeners in a 3D sphere of music, with sounds coming not just from left and right but all directions, including different vertical heights, in the 1970ies. But while Ambisonics, as immersive audio was called at the time, made for a great demo, there has been a lot more momentum for it in recent years.One reason for this is the growth of streaming, and consumers embracing sound bars and home theater set-ups to make the most out of their Netflix movie nights. Music services like Apple Music have also begun to use Dolby Atmos spatial audio for an on-stage-with-the-band-like listening experience, and Apples AirPods are using head tracking to make music performances even more immersive.However, not every company has rushed to embrace Dolby Atmos. Many entry-level TVs and soundbars dont support the format out of the box, and YouTube and Spotify dont stream any Dolby Atmos content at all. Even consumers who have the right gear and service subscriptions may not actually get to enjoy the audio format: Netflix, Max and Amazon are all asking their customers to upgrade to their priciest plan to enjoy movies and shows with Atmos soundtracks.Some of that is due to the licensing fees Dolby charges for the use of its media formats. The company doesnt publicly disclose its Atmos licensing fees, but it is said to charge between $2 and $3 per device for similar video format licenses. That doesnt sound much, but can add up for an industry working with razor-thin profit margins. Costs for content creators are also significant: Licensing Atmos for the popular Pro Tools audio software alone costs around $300 chump change for a Hollywood studio, but not for an amateur working on YouTube videos in their spare time.There should be an open source alternative [available] to make immersive and spatial audio more accessible, says Huoponen. That includes lowering the barrier of entry for content creators by extending spatial audio to user-generated content. When YouTube introduces something new, creators figure out a way to take advantage of these new features, he says. Thats the exciting part here.Omdia media & entertainment analyst Paul Erickson agrees. Eclipsa Audio has the potential to democratize access to spatial audio technology across the consumer landscape, he says, adding that industry giants like Google and Samsung are best positioned to establish a new audio format.Immersive media is already a complicated word saladNot everyone is as upbeat about Eclipsa Audio. The world of immersive sound is already complicated, cautions Danish sound designer Lars Tirsbk. Adding another format might create more confusion for both creators and consumers.Its an issue Eclipse Audios backers have struggled with in the past. Unwilling to pay the licensing fees for Dolbys HDR video format Dolby Vision, Samsung threw its support behind the royalty-free alternative HDR10+ back in 2017. But while Amazon and Google were quick to support the format, consumers were left confused by the overly technical acronym, and many other streaming services opted for Dolby Vision due to better brand recognition.Thats why branding has been key this time. When Eclipsa Audio was first developed, it was called Immersive Audio Model & Format. Its a mouthful, admits Huoponen. We figured that we needed something a little bit easier for folks to remember.Google first previewed its plans for open media formats with consumer-friendly branding at a closed-door meeting with consumer electronics makers in 2022. At the time internally called Project Caviar, the idea was to establish brands that consumers would immediately recognize when theyre in the market for a new TV or soundbar. Brands capable of competing with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision, complete with logos that device makers can slap on their packaging.Eclipsa Audio is the first such brand, and Google plans to establish a device certification program for consumer electronics makers soon. Which begs the question: Will TVs on store shelves eventually feature a logo for Eclipsa Video as well?Huoponen acknowledges that as a possibility, but cautioned that nothing was set in stone yet. Right now, we are still focusing just on the audio part, he says. When the time comes, we will probably have something around video as well. Well see what the future will bring.

An overwhelming number of Americans are in the market for a new job. According to a recent Monster poll, 93% of workers think 2025 might be the time to change employers. With an increased number of applications, you could see tougher competition for roles, which makes the interview process even more critical.The way you approach the job hunt is similar to how a professional gambler approaches the poker table, says Jamie Wall, casino analyst and body language expert at Gamblizard, a website that evaluates online casinos and their offers.Both are high-stakes situations, considering you really want to land the job or win the game, he says. Both follow formal rules, have clear goals, and involve some initial inputs. In poker, its the cards you need to play right. In an interview, its your experience, which also needs to be presented strategically.In both poker and interviews, luck plays a role, but success largely depends on your skills and ability to read others, says Wall. Thinking this way shifts your mindset toward managing risks and maximizing rewards, he says. Plus, viewing the interview as a competitive game, where you and the interviewer are testing each others strategies, can spark excitement and drive, replacing anxiety with a sense of challenge.Before you go into your next interview, consider these poker-inspired tips that could help you stand out from the crowd of other candidates.1. Read the RoomAt the poker table, players try to read their opponents so they can adjust their game. In the interview process, the goal is to build a rapport with the person interviewing you by matching energy and gestures. Wall recommends reading the room by picking up on non-verbal cues that help you adjust your actions.In-person interviews give the full spectrum of information: facial expressions, posture, movements, and real eye contact, he says. For example, engagement can be shown by the interviewer leaning forward or maintaining consistent eye contact.Mirroring someones movements can help forge a subtle connection. Just dont be blatant about it.If your interview is on video, Wall suggests looking for micro-expressions, which are involuntary facial movements that can reveal someones true thoughts. Raised eyebrows, for example, could indicate that the interviewer is surprised by your answer. You may want to take this as a clue to provide more information.If your interview is over the phone, Wall says tone, pacing, and pauses become the primary indicators. A quick intake of breath might mean theyre eager to interject or intrigued by your answer, he says. Unusually long pauses [mean that theyre] skeptical or distracted.2. Maintain a Poker FaceYou may think having a poker face means being blank and expressionless, but Wall says its about controlling your emotions in high-pressure situations. Fortunately, this is a skill you can practice with friends, such as trying to keep a straight face while engaging in a heated debate when emotions want to break through, he says.In an interview, a poker face is useful during tough or unexpected questions. For instance, instead of nervously tightening your lips, looking down, or mumbling, maintain steady eye contact, take a pause, and answer with a calm tone to project confidence, says Wall.You dont need to stay neutral the whole time, he says. Show enthusiasm, smile, and connect authentically when it feels right. A poker face is just a tool to help you stay composed when it matters most.3. Use the Check-Raise StrategyIn poker, a check-raise is when a player starts off weakly, then surprises their opponent with a strong move later. They may match bets in early rounds to keep people in only to go all in at the end.You can use this strategy in interviews by downplaying your strengths in areas where you exceed. This often prompts the interviewer to dig deeper, giving you a chance to provide a well-prepared and impressive response that catches their attention, says Wall.The main danger of this strategy is withholding information that could be critical for decision-making, he says. To minimize risks, hold back only information already in your rsum and always leave an opening to elaborate, like One thing Id also like to highlight [is]. . . .Wall says this strategy works best when withholding doesnt underplay your potential. For entry-level candidates, where every detail matters, the risk is higher and likely not worth it.4. Bluff (When Appropriate)Bluffing is a common technique used in poker. For example, only places a bet when they have a strong hand, they might throw off their opponents by raising big on a weak hand once in a while, says Wall.You can also bluff in an interview. While you dont want to outright lie, its possible to polish or reframe the narrative around your skills and knowledge by building on a truthful foundation. If youre asked about your proficiency in a skill youre still learning, Wall suggests saying, Im quick to pick up new skills, like I did with [X related skill].This shows eagerness and flexibility, keeping the conversation positive while subtly showcasing your strengths, he says.A foolish bluff, on the other hand, is making a wild move that doesnt align with your story. Never bluff about hard skills, certifications, or major accomplishments that can be easily verified or are essential for the role, says Wall. But when it comes to things like reasons for leaving a previous job, gaps in your rsum, or your motivation for applying, a bit of creative storytelling can work to your advantage.5. Make Your Final BetAt the end of the interview, Wall recommends placing your final bet.Just like the last bet in poker can win you the game, ending your interview on a high note can boost your chances, he says. Show enthusiasm and reinforce your value by saying something like, Thanks, I really enjoyed the interview. While Im exploring other options, this one stands out. This demonstrates youre invested, confident, and aware of your worth.Sometimes the cards fall in your favor, and sometimes your opponent wins. The key for landing that next job is to stay in the game.

Pianos hang from the ceiling like carcasses in a slaughterhouse in an exhibition by Dutch designer Maarten Baas, at Galerie Ron Mandos in Amsterdam.Crescendo! sees Baas venture into sculpture for the first time, creating a series of musical instruments that are distorted beyond use.Maarten Baas created the pieces for Galerie Ron MandosA pair of pianos provide the show's centrepiece. These two full-scale sculptural pieces are suspended on a set of hooks like those used by a butcher, while a third hangs on its own behind.The form of each piano appears to have slumped down, with keys and pedals bent out of shape. The effect is similar to how an animal's flesh stretches out after it has been slaughtered.Crescendo! features pianos hung up to look like meatIn a video tour of the show produced by Galerie Ron Mandos, Baas says the idea was to show how something can be stripped of life and turned into a commodity."The pianos are hanging almost like a piece of meat from a butcher," said Baas. "Just like how an animal used to live and used to have a soul, it is now a few kilos of meat."The show includes trumpets and flutes that appear to be flattened or meltedBaas also created a series of trumpets and flutes. Some of them appear to be melting, while others have been flattened and vacuum-packed.The most abstract of the musical pieces feature in the series titled Variations in E Minor, for which Baas has turned various wood and wind instruments into balls."This exhibition is about the tension between big dreams and the sometimes limiting reality behind them," Baas explained.Variations in E Minor feature instruments turned into ballsThe designer said there is a dual meaning to every piece, for instance, the Variations in E Minor pieces are both expressive and secretive."The whole orchestra is compressed to a ball, but it looks like they want to come out again as a full orchestra," said Baas."All the pieces have this duality, like it's the end and the beginning... but it also can potentially become something again," he added.Read: Maarten Baas wraps jet in denim for G-Star RAWThe show includes a mini-retrospective of Baas' career to date, with works including his childlike Close Parity furniture, his burnt Smoke pieces and his moulded Clay furniture.This section includes some new pieces, including a collaboration with Dutch artist Ted Noten.Noten is best known for his satirical sculptures featuring objects encased in acrylic resin. Here, he contributed a work featuring an alligator that appears to be snorting cocaine.The series includes both wood and wind instrumentsBaas responded by turning it into a drawer for a special edition of his Clay bedside table. He also added a mirror that can be removed to reveal a secret storage compartment.The designer described it as "a hidden compartment for all your secretive belongings".Baas teamed up with Ted Noten on a special edition of his Clay bedside tableBass has also created a new version of the grandfather clocks he has made throughout his career. The clock face is a video in which the designer appears to be painting the time on by hand.Other new works include an assemblage of bronze wall mirrors with a smoky finish and a bedside cabinet with oversized bronze drawers.The photography is by Jonathan de Waart unless stated.Crescendo! is on show at Galerie Ron Mandos in Amsterdam from 18 January to 9 March. See Dezeen Events Guide for more architecture and design events around the world.The post Maarten Baas hangs pianos from hooks in Crescendo! exhibition appeared first on Dezeen.

Festivals Stockholm Design Week and Madrid Design Festival are among the architecture and design events featured in Dezeen Events Guide this month. Other events taking place in February include Design Biennale Rotterdam, Ambiente and Frieze Los Angeles.Dezeen has launched a digital guide to Stockholm Design Week 2025. Illustration is by Rima Sabina Aouf. Above photo is by Fredrik Sandin CarlsonStockholm Design Week3 to 9 February, SwedenAnnual festival Stockholm Design Week returns with a programme of exhibitions, open showrooms, product launches and parties, spotlighting Swedish and international talent.Among the events is Stockholm Furniture fair, which this year includes the talks programme featuring Dezeen's Design Disruptors series.You can find this this year's guide to the festival here, which is accompanied by an interactive map.Ambiente returns to Messe Frankfurt. Photo is by Jens LiebchenAmbiente7 to 11 February, GermanyAmbiente is a consumer goods trade show taking place at Messe Frankfurt, hosting an exhibition, talks programme and trend forecasting sessions.This year's event follows the theme Rhythms of Lifestyle, showcasing products across four categories: dining, living, giving and working.New for 2025 are the Future of Work and Interior Looks spotlights, highlighting both lifestyle and workplace designs.The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) presented Natural Connections at the festival. Photo is courtesy of AHECMadrid Design Festival12 to 23 February, SpainThe eight edition of Madrid Design Festival expects to host over 200 events, including exhibitions, installations, open showrooms, workshops and pop-up shops.The events aim to examine the evolutionary nature of design and how it can be used to combat societal challenges, with the upcoming edition offering a special focus on wool.The Line Dream is the central exhibition of the 12-day festival, showcasing over 70 lighting designs by 45 makers.Modernism Week spotlights art, fashion, architecture and design in Palm Springs. Photo is courtesy of Palm Springs Modernism WeekModernism Week13 to 23 February, USAModernism Week is an 11-day architecture and design festival located in Palm Springs, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.Tours, talks, exhibitions, screenings and parties make up the festival programme, which spotlights modern architecture, design, art and fashion across the city.Studio Drift presented Materialism at Frieze Los Angeles. Photo is by Ronald SmitsFrieze Los Angeles20 to 23 February, USAFrieze Los Angeles is the Californian edition of the art fair, which this year plans to welcome more than 100 international exhibitors.2025 marks the fair's sixth edition, which is directed by Christine Messineo, along with the New York City event.The fair takes place at Santa Monica Airport.Dezeen is a media partner of Frieze Los Angeles 2025.2025 marks Design Biennale Rotterdam's first edition. Photo is courtesy of Design Biennale RotterdamDesign Biennale Rotterdam20 February to 2 March, The NetherlandsThe inaugural edition of Design Biennale Rotterdam presents including exhibitions, talks and workshops across the Dutch city over 10 days.The event explores Rotterdam's heritage, culture and community, focusing on its approach to reinvention.The biennale's host committee includes designers Anna Aagaard Jensen, Chris Kabel, Laurids Galle, Marga Weimans and Sabine Marcelis.Marta Armengol created a glassware collection to exhibit at Nomad St MoritzNomad St Moritz20 to 23 February 2025, SwitzerlandNomad is a travelling art and design fair, which hosts its 15th edition over four days at former hospital Klinik Gut in St Mortitz.The fair showcases contemporary art and design from international galleries and makers, to create what Nomad calls a "site-specific, immersive and layered exhibition".Previous editions of the fair have taken place in Cannes, France, Venice and Capri, Italy, and Monaco.About Dezeen Events GuideDezeen Events Guide is our guide to the best architecture and design events taking place across the world each year.The guide is updated weekly and includes virtual events, conferences, trade fairs, major exhibitions and design weeks.Inclusion in the guide is free for basic listings, with events selected at Dezeen's discretion. Organisers can get standard, enhanced or featured listings for their events, including images, additional text and links, by paying a modest fee.In addition, events can ensure inclusion by partnering with Dezeen. For more details on inclusion in Dezeen Events Guide and media partnerships with Dezeen, emaileventsguide@dezeen.com.The post Seven architecture and design events in February from Dezeen Events Guide appeared first on Dezeen.

It wasnt surprising that most of Samsungs rhetoric at its recent Unpacked event revolved around AI. Interesting and impressive as that may have been, many people still gravitated toward the new Galaxy S25 Ultras new design and changes. Titanium is the name of the game this year, and it has definitely given Samsungs flagship an extra touch of luxury and style that improves the phones durability and usability with this lightweight yet strong material.Some changes, however, may not have been welcomed with open arms, such as the removal of Bluetooth functionality from the S Pen stick. And some changes are apparently so subtle you might have not noticed them at all. Good thing that someone else was willing to do the heavy lifting of testing the new Galaxy S25 Ultra, and it turns out that there are quite a few odd design choices that, fortunately, wont have a massive impact on enjoying this premium smartphone.Designer: Samsung (via Zack Nelson/JerryRigEverything)To seasoned Samsung fans and observers, the most visible design change is the Galaxy S25 Ultras embrace of the Galaxy S design language, finally leaving behind the distinctive boxy shape it inherited from the Galaxy Note series. All edges are fully flat now, not just the top and bottom, and gone are the sharp corners that gave the modern Galaxy Note line its equally sharp personality. There will be endless debates on the ergonomics and usability of this design, but it was a change that was long coming. The Galaxy S25 Ultra now looks like its part of the family, not a holdover of a generation long gone.The camera design also changed, but the biggest difference is one youll only notice if you look close enough. Rather than the tapered rings around all five lenses, the bigger cameras get very flat rings that match the style of the rest of the phone. Unfortunately, there seems to be a very thin gap between those rings and the rear glass, and it was proven that these are only glued down rather than as part of the frame. Granted, these rings wont easily pry off or lose their adhesiveness but do expect dust and smaller particles to eventually make their way home there.The Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass protecting the screen also proved to be slightly more scratch-prone than the previous-gen Galaxy S24 Ultra. Again, this only reveals itself under extreme and dire conditions, so expect your Galaxy S25 Ultra to be scratch-free for a long period of time. It still boggles the mind and piques designers curiosities about the decision-making process behind these changes.Aside from those peculiarities, the Galaxy S25 Ultra proved to be just as tough as it is elegant, which is to be expected for a premium price tag. It didnt bend easily, if at all, and though the titanium frame still scratched, the chances of you accidentally coming across a strong blade in daily life are very slim. One rather curious but totally inconsequential discovery is that the S Pen still had that tiny battery slot inside the barrel, even if the battery itself was nowhere to be found.The post Galaxy S25 Ultra durability test reveals a robust design with one unexpected twist first appeared on Yanko Design.

From thrifters to regifters, what's your style?