Anti-Components, Creation, Soundtracks and Writing
Somethings Novel — May 9, 2025
Something I’m writing…
Your Design System Isn’t a Component Library
It’s a resource for building digital environments.
Ever walked through a neighborhood where every building looks exactly the same? Same layout, same materials, same forgettable feeling? That’s what some products start to feel like…overly rigid, overly repetitive. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Good design systems aren’t just stacks of components. They’re like an urban infrastructure. When structured right, they create environments where creativity can flourish without losing cohesion.
This article explores how foundational elements (not just “components”) can unlock flexibility, scalability, and innovation without sacrificing consistency.
Let’s reimagine your system not as a mold, but as a city worth living in.
Something I’m thinking about…
Designers aren’t the same as a factory line producer. Nor are they like a developer producing the end product in code. They produce to understand. The point of what they produce isn’t to make a thing. They produce to understand the fit of a solution to a problem. They produce to identify what works and what doesn’t. Why? The short answer is that no matter how vivid your imagination, you can’t fully evaluate an idea until it takes some form. More to come on this topic, inspired by Nigel Cross.
Something I’m reading…
Soundtracks
By Jon Acuff
Your thoughts are the boss of your actions. That’s the core premise of Soundtracks by Jon Acuff. This was an interesting read. The author has produced a practical guide for anyone who struggles with overthinking or self-doubt…or the more modern name, “imposter syndrome”.
Jon Acuff offers a witty, approachable commentary on rewiring your internal dialogue. As a designer or design leader, the ability to manage your thoughts is crucial. What we do is not based on intuition or feeling. It’s rational and based on clear principles. This is important when navigating ambiguity, critique, or creative risk. This book will help you create a mindset that supports momentum rather than sabotaging it.
Something I’m enjoying…
As a kid, I grew up reading Calvin and Hobbes in the newspaper. Specifically my grandparents’ newspaper. Bill Watterson was a creative worth studying. He created over 3,000 comics. That’s a lot of stories about a kid and his tiger. He always seemed to capture a mundane moment and breathe a bit of fun life into it, capturing the readers’ attention. Recently, my kids have gotten interested in comics, checking books out of the library. They have reminded me how you can fill 3-4 boxes with such entertaining stories.
Check out one of the volumes
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What?! Uh. Yeah. This issue includes affiliate links for the products and books I share. Why? I suppose you could say it helps support this extra work that I do in my personal time on my personal budget. Thanks for your support.