Weekly curated resources for designersthinkers andmakers.Since Spotify Wrapped dropped almost a decade ago, theres been a growing demand for data-driven year-in-review features. These summaries have evolved into cultural touchstones, offering more than just statisticsthey provide moments of self-reflection and shareable pride.While Spotify celebrates music, other platforms have embraced the concept for their niches, and Duolingos Year in Review is no exception. By turning language learning into a gamified, sharable experience, Duolingo has created its own version of Wrapped thats fun, whilst highlighting the joy of progress and the power of celebrating educational milestones.Has Duolingos Year in Review outshone Spotify Wrapped? By SophiaOmarjiMake user research a core driver of organizational success [Sponsored] Written by UX leaders for UX leaders, Mazes new playbook explores key shifts in user research and how to elevate the practice from a support function to a strategic partner. Learn how to lead your team through change and unlock new opportunities.Editor picksWhy do people criticize Jaguars rebranding? Cultural convergence and the shift to minimalism.By ElvisHsiaoThe next era of design is intent-driven How adaptive UIs are transforming design.By VamsiBatchuAnother year, another Figma pricing update Figma is changing its pricing strategy again.By AlliePaschalThe UX Collective is an independent design publication that elevates unheard design voices and helps designers think more critically about theirwork.State of UX in 2025: a love letter about changeMake methinkThe most surprising tech champions of 2024 Lesser-known tech companies were rewarded by changing headwinds outside the West this year. Indias homegrown EV industry, a Chinese video game that became a soft power success, and a U.S.-based walkie-talkie app that proved unexpectedly popular in Kenya are some of Rest of Worlds most surprising winners in global tech in2024.Power of metaphors in human-AI interaction Digital companions are currently the dominant metaphor for understanding AI systems. However, as the field of generative AI continues to evolve, its crucial to examine how we frame and comprehend these technologies. This isnt merely an academic exerciseit will influence how we develop, interact with, and regulateAI.A linkless internet We are at a moment in the history of the web in which the link itselfthe countless connections made by website creators, the endless tapestry of ideas woven together throughout the webis in danger of going extinct. So its pertinent to ask: how did links come to represent information in the first place? And whats at stake in the movement away from links toward AI chat interfaces?Little gems thisweekGoodbye, immortal design By Rita Kind-EnvyThe phone to save us from our phones By TomSeipleYes, I would buy a Jaguar Type 00 By NeelDozomeTools and resourcesHow Ladder onboards and keeps users engaged Quick onboarding, progressive disclosure, and more.By Daniel deMelloHow to explore a product like Sherlock? A diamond in the crown of all testing techniques: exploratory testing.By JuliaKocbekUnderstanding priority Or the next step to go from UX to Product Design.By KaiWongSupport 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 aneditionDuolingo wrapped, intent-driven UX, Figma pricing update was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.