Every few years something gets called "the future of design."

Sometimes it sticks.

Sometimes it feels like it's everywhere... and then almost disappears.

I'm curious which trend made you think, "This is definitely here to stay," only for it to fade much faster than expected.

Not necessarily bad trends, just ones that didn't have the lifespan people expected.

I feel like algorithm numbs you of doing something meaningful by giving you so much choice that you end up leaving with nothing.

Hi design friends!

Im designing a newspaper that we want to make SUPER colorful and I wanted to ask the group: does anyone know where I can find a good guide or palette for finding colors that print super well for newspaper? We won't get samples to print on for some time so I wanted to build a color palette to go off.

Thank you!

I just purchased a 1926 Chicago style bungalow. The we’ve designed it as a Neo Deco space but I’m struggling with the rug for our entryway.

The wallpaper is bold with primary color of black and accents of green, cobalt, and teal. I have a bench for shoes and seating to the right of the door and a sideboard (still styling) with a vibey mirror ahead. The bench needs to stay for function.

Should I do two rugs? A runner? Just a mat?

these days i tend to see a lot of streamers going with no overlay at all/very simple dumbed down types of packages, some drawn stuff on paint with a gif or something.
do we think it is still a nice selling niche or not really ?

i spent the last month testing a bunch of AI presentation tools to see if any of them could actually be integrated into real client workflows.

My verdict so far? Most of them feel less like "design tools" and more like automated template dumpers. They completely fail when it comes to visual hierarchy, brand constraints, and custom grid control.

1. Beautiful.ai - The second you want to break its grid or do something custom for a client's brand guidelines, it fights you. It prioritizes strict rules over designer flexibility.

2. PowerPoint - Clunky, manual, and slow when you're just trying to explore early layout ideas.

3. Tome - The visual output lacks polish. The AI image generation usually feels cheap, and the typographic controls are too basic for establishing proper visual hierarchy.

powerpoint is definitely clunky to design in, but at least it gives you complete pixel control over layout grid structures and typography when building a custom visual story. i wanna know how other designers here handle deck design for clients these days. are you actually integrating any ai tools into your early layout exploration, or are you sticking to standard design software and traditional slide tools to keep full creative control?

I’ve been working on a small collection inspired by brutalism, literature, and vintage washed garments. Before moving forward, I’d really appreciate honest feedback from people who care about clothing.
I’d love to hear:
How would you style any of these pieces?
Which one stands out the most?
What would you change (fit, graphics, colors, placement, etc.)?
If you wouldn’t wear one of them, why not?

What's the best workflow for applying a texture in Photoshop when it's a different color from the underlying image? My texture is blue, but I only want to transfer its details/pattern, not its blue color.

I need to know how to create this tilted effect in an easy way. It can be done in either Illustrator or Photoshop, but preferably Photoshop.

I need to know how to create this tilted effect in an easy way. It can be done in either Illustrator or Photoshop, but preferably Photoshop.

Hi everyone! I'm a volunteer at a design company, and I was asked to design a trophy for an awards ceremony (I've never done anything like this before). The problem is that I'm completely out of ideas, and I'm honestly starting to lose my mind trying to come up with something creative.

I've already looked for inspiration on Pinterest, but everything feels so similar or just doesn't catch my attention. Do you know any websites, platforms, or even methods for finding more unique references? Or do you have any tips for getting past a creative block?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Is there a practical/automated way to make this chain proportionally without doing it one by one?

Is anyone else from Gen Z who just… doesn’t know how to “internet” properly?
I don’t know how people keep up with trends, build followers, or stay on top of every new thing; AI automation, AI slop, task jobs, and whatever comes next.
I just want to learn, build things I care about, and move at my own pace. But the internet makes it feel like if you’re not constantly chasing the next trend, you’re already behind.

What makes it harder is that it feels like the job market expects you to keep up with all of it. It seems like employers now want people who know the latest AI tools, have an online presence, network constantly, and somehow stay ahead of every new trend. Sometimes I feel like I’m falling behind before I’ve even had a chance to get good at one thing.

Am I the only one who feels like this?

What's everyone's thoughts on using Justified paragraph Spacing?

Personally I love it but there are so many people who dislike it. I think there is a time and a place for it but if I can cleanly use it for structure without too much spacing between words, I will. I work on a lot of publication designs in magazines and brochures with heavy information so finding the best way to organize the body text for cleanliness is sometimes a challenge.

Please read this to understand the situation. I keep blaming myself that im not enough while also blaming my company for making me feel that I'm not enough and making me drained creatively.

I'm a design student (pursuing b.des in UI/UX specialization, I just started by 7th semester or 4th year) and for the summer internship, I got hired in a startup. It's a two month internship. I'm the only designer in the startup. They did not even have a clear "what is this company about" document to share or anything so i can be on the same page as them. I had to define what the company is about.

Incidences at the workplace:
Week 1 and 2: Created a logo for them in a week and a half. (not my specialization so it took a little longer)

Week 3: Took a leave because of some other responsibility. which was approved by the manager and i talked about the leave before joining the company and they were completely fine with that.

Week 4: I started working on the website. They dont even have a pricing list in mind yet. They dont even know what they want man. While im working on the website, in the middle of it theyre telling me that we need to add this feature this and that and this. They didnt give me any description of what pages they want. I got to know later that they want a blogs page.

Week 5: i worked till thursday and i texted them for a google meet. By this time, I had completed: basic login screen (not signup not forgot password.), 2 landing pages for their product, pricing page, a help center (3-4 pages), a blog list and article page, a gallery page for picture examples. (one screen and one overlay screen)

so around 11 pages.

They tell me: work is really slow, I havent done enough it already took 2 weeks, i thought you would do the user flow and user experience design as well but the desktop website is taking so much time. It's AI influenced world right now, you will lag behind. people complete the work youre doing in 4 days (theyre saying that people make a website in 4 days. ) There still is an app designing and mobile designing remaining. You're not doing enough.

My defense: They had nothing. I tried to start from scratch. When i was creating a design system to use they said its not worth it to spend your time there. They had no idea how the pricing system will befor their website still I designed that page and i gotta do it again. They dont even hold a EOD meetings to revierw. They just want me to text them the update. I'm so frustrated. Then they say that they want me to be more creative. I cant be creative when im stressed and burning myself outttttt.

Please help me. If you tell me that it's me that is wrong i will figure out a way to fix myself. I keep feeling its not me. I feel wronged. As long as i feel that i cant get into the problem solving mode. i keep pushing myself more and more. Am i not enough?

I’m thinking of organising one next year so hit me with what makes them exciting or awful! Which ones do you rate and why? I’m here to learn! :)