Every year, the UX Collective dives deep into what’s shaping the design world, and their 2025 State of UX report is out.
Spoiler alert: it’s a mix of exciting tech breakthroughs and some hard truths about where our industry is headed. If you’re wondering how AI, design tools, and shifting priorities are changing the game, here’s what you need to know.
The Great Design Handoff: Humans vs. Algorithms?
Design is no longer just about sketching out wireframes or crafting pixel-perfect mockups. A massive shift is happening: control is moving from designers to algorithms, automated tools, and, yes, business stakeholders.
Tools like Figma and Canva are doing more than just speeding things up—they’re changing how we define “designing.”
As AI-powered tools get smarter, they’re taking over tasks like creating layouts or optimizing experiences. While this frees us up for more creative work, it also begs the question: are we okay with giving up some of the artistry in favor of efficiency?
Image courtesy of UXDesign.cc
Clicks Over Clarity: The Business of UX
Let’s talk about something uncomfortable: UX is becoming less about the “user” and more about hitting business KPIs. Growth teams are using design systems to focus on maximizing engagement—clicks, sign-ups, conversions. Sounds great on paper, right? But at what cost?
The report warns that this metric-driven approach risks turning UX into a numbers game, where clarity and user satisfaction take a backseat. Ever felt frustrated by an endless pop-up or confusing navigation? Yep, that’s what happens when growth trumps good design.
AI: Friend, Foe, or Frenemy?
AI is everywhere, and it’s rewriting the rules of UX. Personalization is becoming hyper-specific, automated A/B tests are a breeze, and data-driven decisions are ruling the roost. But here’s the flip side: the more we rely on AI, the less room there is for human intuition and empathy.
The report urges us to keep a balance. Sure, let AI handle the grunt work, but let’s not forget the importance of crafting designs that feel genuinely human. Machines might know what works, but they don’t understand why it works—or how it makes someone feel.
What This Means for Designers
So, where does all of this leave us as designers? The report encourages us to adapt—and fast. Want to stay ahead? Think beyond the pixels. Lean into strategy, leadership, user psychology, and accessibility.
There’s also a big push to double down on creativity. While AI might be able to generate layouts, it can’t replace the depth of storytelling or the finesse of thoughtful design. This is where we can shine.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 UX landscape is challenging us to redefine what it means to be a designer. Whether it’s embracing new tools, fighting for user-centric principles, or stepping into leadership roles, there’s plenty of opportunity to grow.
The big takeaway? Designers still matter—maybe now more than ever. But we have to evolve, stay curious, and never lose sight of what makes our work impactful: designing for people, not just metrics.
And just like that, we are closing in on the end of 2024. The trends keep on coming, though, as we round out the year. From holiday feels to cool scroll effects to more stark aesthetics, there’s still plenty to work with as you finish projects this month.
Here’s what’s trending in design this month:
1. Holiday Themes
There’s nothing like festive holiday themes to help you feel happy and spirited in the final part of the year. The same applies to website design.
Fun themes are becoming more common, with sites swapping their looks for the biggest sales season of the year to sites that pop up just for the holiday season. What’s great about these designs is that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Every site can do something different to highlight a festive mood.
Each of these examples takes a different approach to the holiday and shows that even sites that aren’t dedicated to e-commerce can participate in some seasonal fun.
Santa Tote goes all in with a holiday-themed site. Rather than add seasonal elements to their primary website, Tote created a secondary holiday site. The gamified and artistic theme is fun and makes you want to click around and interact. The whimsical illustrations are an added bonus.
Holiday Spheres is another gamified holiday site example, where you can build an animated snow globe digitally. Get your digital gift just right, and then send it to someone to spread a little holiday cheer!
Finally, the Macy’s website design is what you would expect from a retailer for the holiday season. The site uses an elegant red and gold textured theme with plenty of sales and deals highlighted. While it screams holiday, the theme is also in line with the brand.
One thing to keep in mind with these holiday concepts is that you can take the ideas used for the holidays and apply them to other seasonal designs or even use them in daily practice. The interactions, animations, and ways to entice users aren’t any different than what you might normally do, there’s just a Santa or two included.
2. Interesting Scroll Interactions
A fun or interesting scroll can take a boring design to the next level. It can also add a lot of interest to something that might seem overly simple, driving conversions or engagements.
But there’s a trick to using some of these interesting scroll interactions as a design trend – they must have purpose. What does the scroll help the user do or understand? If you can answer that question, you are well on your way to creating a purposeful and interesting interaction that will make users want to stay on your website.
Lcycic mixes interesting shapes, background video, and scrolls to keep the design interesting. The best part of this scroll is that there’s nothing fancy, just a collection of “pages” that work together easily with varying content types to tell a solid story.
Gentlerain takes a wholly different approach with plenty of animation and effects, with an equally appealing result. From the liquid effect on the homepage to great scrolling slides, everything is designed to keep you moving through and reading all of the content. There are also some nifty hover effects, too.
The design for Bike Portugal falls somewhere in between. The hero area seems pretty simple but the images across the screen include photos and video and change shape and size with the interaction. The waterfall effect of the shapes is interesting and engaging as well.
3. Black and White Motifs
Every time black and white themes gain popularity, a designer smiles somewhere. This is one of those things that never really falls out of fashion and designers, in particular, love when clients allow them to have fun with these mono color schemes.
Each of these examples uses some sort of “trick” element with black and white to add as much interest as possible.
Onto uses a white background with black text and a video reel. While it is primarily black and white, the video incorporates splashes of color when you seem to least expect it.
Good & Common sticks with a start and brutalist feeling design with white, and bold, letters on a black background. This design is created specifically to make you read. The stark nature really gives users little else to do. Even the one image on the homepage is without color.
Shane Collier Design also uses a stark white on black concept, but uses language – and misspelled and unexpected – word choices to catch and keep attention. After you see the first few words, you are driven to learn more. Why are the words “wrong?” What is this design trying to tell you? Once you get a way into the scroll and these questions are answered, the design opens up into a little more color with some portfolio items.
Conclusion
While you can’t use these holiday trends per se all year long, there are takeaways that work regardless of the content. Consider ways to incorporate interesting site-wide or landing page-only themes so that users feel something special when they get to your website. Celebrate customers, other occasions, or just a big sale to make this most of this trending website design concept.
Ah, the mid-2000s. A simpler time on the internet. MySpace was still ruling the social media scene, YouTube was a baby, and smartphones were more “dumbphone.”
Back then, the internet wasn’t just a place for memes and influencers—it was a digital Wild West, where quirky experiments could go viral and make someone wildly successful.
Enter The Million Dollar Homepage, a hilariously brilliant idea that proved even a college kid with a big dream and a knack for pixels could make internet history.
If you’re scratching your head thinking, “What’s this Million Dollar Homepage thing?” let me take you on a nostalgic journey to one of the quirkiest success stories the web has ever seen.
The Million-Dollar Brainwave
In 2005, Alex Tew, a 21-year-old student from England, was staring down the barrel of crushing student debt. Most of us would settle for part-time jobs or ramen noodles, but Alex decided to aim a little higher. He cooked up a plan so bizarre, so audacious, it was either going to crash and burn or make him a millionaire.
His idea? Sell a million pixels of online space on a single webpage for $1 each. Buyers would get to own a little piece of internet real estate, filling it with whatever image or ad they wanted.
The webpage, aptly named The Million Dollar Homepage, would look like a chaotic digital quilt of logos, graphics, and randomness. And people could click on the pixels to be whisked away to whatever site the buyer linked. It was like buying a square on a community patchwork but with a very internet twist.
Alex launched the site in August 2005 with a simple pitch: “Own a piece of internet history.” At the time, history was going for about the price of a latte.
A Pixel Party Goes Viral
At first, things were slow. Alex convinced friends and family to buy the first pixels, which netted him a modest $1,000. Then, as word spread, blogs, forums, and media outlets picked up the story, and The Million Dollar Homepage took off like a rocket. It became a viral sensation before we even had the term “viral sensation.”
Within weeks, businesses and individuals from all corners of the internet wanted a slice of the action. Everyone from online casinos to poker sites and even random joke businesses (looking at you, nose-picking website) jumped on board. It was chaotic, weird, and pure mid-2000s internet magic.
Let’s be real—some of the pixel ads were… questionable. There were glittery logos, random clip art, and some images that looked like they’d been made with MS Paint in five minutes. But that was part of the charm. The grid was a hot mess, and people loved it.
By January 2006, Alex had sold 999,000 pixels and raked in $999,000. The last 1,000 pixels went on eBay, fetching a cool $38,100. Grand total? $1,037,100. Not too shabby for a few pixels, huh?
Fame, Fortune, and Frustration
Of course, fame isn’t all pixel-perfect. Once The Million Dollar Homepage became a global sensation, Alex faced some headaches. Hackers came knocking, launching a DDoS attack in early 2006. They demanded a ransom, threatening to take the site offline. (Internet gangsters, right?) Alex stood his ground, and with the help of security experts, the site survived.
Meanwhile, critics chimed in with all kinds of opinions. Some called the project a genius work of art, others thought it was a goofy cash grab. The commercial chaos of the grid rubbed some people the wrong way, but for Alex, the goal was simple: pay for college and maybe buy himself a fancy dinner. Mission accomplished.
A Time Capsule of the Internet
The Million Dollar Homepage wasn’t just a quirky business idea—it was a snapshot of what the internet used to be. If you visit the site today (and yes, it’s still live), you’ll see the same patchwork of ads, logos, and randomness.
Some links are broken now, leading to defunct websites or long-forgotten businesses, but the digital chaos remains intact.
Back in 2005, the internet wasn’t dominated by sleek algorithms or polished content. It was a playground for weird ideas, messy experiments, and, yes, a lot of glitter text. The Million Dollar Homepage captures that era perfectly. It’s a chaotic, lovable museum of mid-2000s online culture.
Think about it: today, ad space is sold in milliseconds by supercomputers, targeted with creepy precision. Back then, people were just buying random blocks of pixels and crossing their fingers. Kind of refreshing, right?
Where’s Alex Now?
You’d think after making over a million dollars, Alex would have just kicked back and retired at 21. Nope. Instead, he used his entrepreneurial chops to start new projects. His biggest hit since The Million Dollar Homepage? Calm, the meditation and sleep app that’s helped millions of people chill out. Ironically, the guy who created one of the loudest, busiest web pages went on to create an app for peace and quiet. Talk about range.
As for The Million Dollar Homepage, it’s become a piece of internet lore. People still visit it, marveling at its chaotic charm and reminiscing about the early days of the web. For Alex, it’s a testament to the power of a simple idea executed at the right time.
Lessons from the Pixel Craze
The Million Dollar Homepage wasn’t just a quirky success—it was packed with lessons about creativity and the power of the internet. Here are a few takeaways:
Simple ideas can be game-changers. You don’t need a billion-dollar tech breakthrough. Sometimes, a good idea and solid execution are enough.
Timing is everything. The Million Dollar Homepage thrived because it hit the internet at the perfect moment when people were hungry for novelty.
The internet loves weird. If you can make people laugh, scratch their heads, or feel part of something unique, they’ll rally behind you.
A Pixelated Legacy
Looking back, The Million Dollar Homepage feels like the perfect symbol of its time. It was chaotic, creative, and undeniably fun. For those of us who remember its rise, it’s a reminder of a younger, quirkier internet—an internet where a college student could dream up something outrageous, throw it online, and make a million bucks.
And for those who missed it? Well, the site’s still there, waiting for you to take a peek. It’s a blast from the past, a digital time capsule, and a reminder that even in today’s polished online world, there’s still room for crazy ideas.
So here’s to The Million Dollar Homepage: the internet’s wildest, wackiest, and most pixelated success story.
In a world where even government websites are undergoing sleek makeovers, Craigslist remains a stubborn relic of the early 2000s internet.
With its stark blue links, minimal design, and zero-nonsense functionality, it’s a website that hasn’t seen any significant updates in over two decades. For some, it’s an endearing throwback to a simpler digital age. For others, it’s a frustrating example of how a platform can refuse to evolve.
So, the question looms: Will Craigslist ever get a redesign?
The Case for Change
It’s hard to ignore how drastically the digital landscape has shifted since Craigslist’s inception in 1995. Today’s internet users expect visually appealing interfaces, intuitive navigation, and mobile-friendly designs. Craigslist checks none of those boxes.
Competitors like Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and even niche platforms such as Zillow and TaskRabbit have eaten away at Craigslist’s dominance.
These platforms offer cleaner interfaces, advanced filtering options, and a more polished user experience. Yet, Craigslist trudges along with its bare-bones approach.
A redesign could make Craigslist more accessible, attract a younger demographic, and modernize its business model. Imagine a Craigslist with a responsive design, better search functionality, or—dare we say it—a recommendation algorithm. The possibilities are endless.
The Case for Staying the Same
For Craigslist loyalists, the site’s minimalism is its charm. Its no-frills design means fewer distractions and faster loading times. Unlike its competitors, Craigslist doesn’t bombard you with ads or attempt to manipulate your behavior through algorithms. It’s a place where simplicity reigns supreme.
Will Craigslist Ever Get a Redesign? The Internet’s Most Stubborn Dinosaur 1
Then there’s the ethos of its founder, Craig Newmark, who has been vocal about his preference for keeping things simple and user-driven. Craigslist’s grassroots, egalitarian vibe might be at risk if it were to adopt a sleeker, more corporate look.
Moreover, Craigslist is still profitable, reportedly earning millions annually through paid listings for jobs, apartments, and other services. If it isn’t broken, why fix it?
The Controversy
The debate over whether Craigslist should evolve is more than just a design question—it’s a cultural one. Some argue that Craigslist represents the last bastion of the pre-commercialized internet, a digital flea market where the power dynamics are relatively even. Changing its design could dilute that authenticity.
On the flip side, its refusal to adapt feels increasingly out of step with the times. Critics argue that its outdated interface makes it harder to spot scams and facilitates illegal activity, from fake rental listings to shady services.
A redesign could include better verification tools, improved user security, and more robust reporting features—changes that would benefit everyone.
Will It Ever Happen?
The chances of Craigslist undergoing a significant redesign are slim. Its founder and leadership have shown little interest in keeping up with trends, focusing instead on maintaining its core functionality.
Unless its market share dwindles dramatically or a competitor emerges that completely eclipses it, Craigslist seems content to remain a stubborn dinosaur.
But maybe that’s the point. In an era of constant change, perhaps the most radical thing a website can do is stay the same.
Whether you see Craigslist as a nostalgic icon or an outdated relic, its design—or lack thereof—remains one of the internet’s most fascinating conversations.
What do you think? Should Craigslist embrace a redesign, or should it continue to defy modern web design norms?
Every year, the App Store team takes on the exciting challenge of picking the most exceptional apps and games to celebrate with their App Store Awards.
This year, Apple has recognized 17 incredible apps and games that made a big impact from a list of 45 finalists. From innovative tools that help creators and learners to games that bring pure fun, these winners showcase what’s possible when creativity and technology come together.
Whether you’re looking for your next favorite app or just curious about what’s trending in the world of digital experiences, here’s a breakdown of 2024’s App Store Award winners, handpicked by Apple’s editors.
What Makes These Apps Special?
The 2024 winners represent a wide range of experiences, from empowering creativity and productivity to delivering fun and relaxation. Here are just a few standouts:
Kino turns your everyday moments into cinematic memories with gorgeous film-inspired filters.
Moises is a game-changer for musicians, offering AI-powered tools to practice, remix, and perfect their craft.
Lightroom on Mac takes photo editing to the next level with precise, professional-grade tools.
Lumy makes it easy to align your day with the sun’s patterns, helping you find small moments of magic.
F1 TV delivers a full-throttle Formula 1 viewing experience right from your Apple TV.
Mac App of the Year: Adobe Lightroom, from Adobe Inc.
For Gamers, 2024 Was a Stellar Year
Gaming also had its moment in the spotlight. Here are the games that captured hearts (and lots of screen time):
AFK Journey brings tactical battles and immersive storytelling to iPhone.
Squad Busters is perfect for iPad gamers who love fast-paced, multiplayer action.
THRASHER: Arcade Odyssey blew minds with its colorful, cosmic worlds, earning the title of Vision Pro Game of the Year.
Balatro+ reinvented card games on Apple Arcade, delivering fresh twists with every hand.
Mac Game of the Year: Thank Goodness You’re Here!, from Panic, Inc.
New Frontiers in Spatial Computing
This year, Apple introduced a brand-new category for Apple Vision Pro apps and games, celebrating the future of spatial computing. The winners showed off the potential of this groundbreaking technology:
THRASHER: Arcade Odyssey pairs stunning visuals with fun gameplay, creating a truly immersive experience.
Cultural Impact: Apps That Made a Difference
In addition to celebrating the best in design and functionality, Apple also recognized apps that made a meaningful cultural impact. These winners tackled real-world challenges, inspired curiosity, and brought people together:
Oko helps visually impaired users navigate city streets with confidence.
EF Hello supports language learners with AI-powered lessons for all skill levels.
DailyArt connects users to timeless art pieces, sparking curiosity and wonder.
NYT Games is a daily ritual for many, offering puzzles and games that bring friends and families together.
The Wreck tells a deeply emotional story, using interactive narratives to explore life’s challenges.
The App Store Awards are more than just a celebration of great apps—they’re a reflection of how technology shapes our lives, communities, and even culture.
From solo developers to massive teams, these creators remind us how powerful and creative the digital world can be.
So, if you’re looking for something new to inspire, entertain, or connect you with others, these apps and games are a great place to start. Happy exploring!
The desktop computer is the underdog of the tech world—a bulky box that screams “1999” while the rest of us flex our slim laptops and shiny new tablets in coffee shops.
But here’s the hot take you didn’t know you needed: the humble desktop isn’t just relevant—it’s superior.
Forget the trendy gadgets. If you care about performance, value, and not being a sucker for marketing hype, it’s time to give the desktop its due.
Your MacBook Is a Status Symbol, Not a Powerhouse
Let’s start with laptops—the crown jewel of the mobile workforce. People pay $2,000 for a MacBook Pro only to use it for email, Netflix, and TikTok. Meanwhile, a $1,000 custom desktop will annihilate any laptop in sheer performance. Rendering 4K video? Gaming on ultra settings? Running multiple virtual machines? Laptops cry. Desktops laugh.
And don’t even get me started on “upgradability.” Your precious laptop will be obsolete in three years, max. Need more storage or better performance? Tough. Meanwhile, a desktop lets you swap in a new graphics card or add a terabyte of storage with a few clicks.
It’s the difference between buying a car you can fix versus one where you’re stuck at the mercy of the dealership.
Tablets Are Toys
“Oh, but my iPad can do everything my desktop can!” No, it can’t. Unless “everything” means drawing cute doodles in Procreate or binge-watching Disney+. Sure, Apple’s M1 iPads are fast, but they’re about as versatile as a spoon in a toolbox. Want to connect multiple monitors? Run professional-grade software? Good luck.
Tablets are the tech equivalent of a glorified coloring book: fun, portable, and utterly useless for real productivity. And don’t forget the overpriced accessories. A keyboard and stylus that together cost more than an actual PC? Stop.
Desktops Don’t Die After a Coffee Spill
Portability is a scam. People boast about working on laptops in cafes and on airplanes, but how many of them spill a latte or drop their laptop during TSA checks? Laptops break, and when they do, you’re paying through the nose for a new one.
Desktops? Immovable. Unshakable. A fortress of stability. Spilled coffee? It’s on your desk, not your motherboard. Dropped your PC tower? How? Are you the Hulk?
The Gaming Argument Isn’t Even Close
Gamers, let’s talk. If you’re playing Call of Duty or Elden Ring on a laptop, you’re not gaming. You’re pretending. Desktop gaming rigs not only deliver better graphics, faster frame rates, and real surround sound—they let you mod your machine to your heart’s content.
PC enthusiasts aren’t just gamers; they’re artists. Building a water-cooled rig with RGB lighting is a flex no console or laptop can match.
And you know what’s cooler than your Razer laptop? Literally every desktop with an RTX 4090 graphics card.
Desktops Are for People Who Think Long-Term
Let’s be real: most people who swear by laptops, tablets, and smartphones are buying into planned obsolescence. These devices aren’t built to last—they’re designed to make you upgrade every few years.
Desktops, on the other hand, are timeless. Got a six-year-old desktop? Upgrade the RAM, swap out the GPU, and boom—it’s like new. Meanwhile, your five-year-old MacBook?
Apple would like you to spend $3,000 on the latest version, thank you very much.
Flexibility: The Desktop’s Secret Weapon
When it comes to adaptability, desktops win every time. Need a second (or third) monitor? Easy. Want to build a high-performance editing rig or a quiet PC for coding? Done. Need 8 TB of storage? Good luck cramming that into your laptop.
Desktops don’t force you to compromise. They meet you where you are, whether you’re a video editor, streamer, data scientist, or someone who just wants to run The Sims 4 on ultra settings without the game crashing.
The World Is Moving to Remote Work—Desktops Are Perfect for It
The pandemic flipped the script on how we work. If you’re still pretending you need a laptop for “working remotely,” you’re kidding yourself. The desktop is the ultimate work-from-home tool: bigger screen, better ergonomics, and more power to handle Zoom calls, spreadsheets, and heavy-duty software all at once.
“But what about mobility?” Please. How many of you actually work from a beach? You’re at home, hunched over your dining table with your laptop balanced on a stack of books. Get a desktop. Your back will thank you.
Desktops Aren’t Sexy, and That’s the Point
The desktop doesn’t need to be sleek or portable to prove its worth. It’s not here to impress your friends or fit in your tote bag. Desktops are workhorses, designed to get the job done without pretending to be something they’re not.
In a world obsessed with appearances—where thinness and shininess are somehow more important than durability and power—the desktop stands as a quiet rebellion. It’s not flashy, but it’s functional. And that’s exactly why it matters.
Final Thoughts: Stop Sleeping on Desktops
Laptops, tablets, and smartphones are convenient, sure. But when you strip away the hype, they’re just overpriced compromises. The desktop, on the other hand, is a powerhouse that doesn’t care about trends. It’s for people who value performance, flexibility, and real value over superficial aesthetics.
So, go ahead—take your laptop to the café and pretend to work. I’ll be at home with my desktop, actually getting things done.
Superscripts and subscripts are essential elements in academic and scientific content — from citation references to chemical formulas and mathematical expressions. Yet browsers handle these elements with a static approach that can create significant problems: elements become either too small on mobile devices or disproportionately large on desktop displays.
After years of wrestling with superscript and subscript scaling in CSS, I’m proposing a modern solution using fluid calculations. In this article, I’ll show you why the static approach falls short and how we can provide better typography across all viewports while maintaining accessibility. Best of all, this solution requires nothing but clean, pure CSS.
The problem with static scaling
The scaling issue is particularly evident when comparing professional typography with browser defaults. Take this example (adapted from Wikipedia), where the first “2” is professionally designed and included in the glyph set, while the second uses (top) and (bottom) elements:
Browsers have historically used font-size: smaller for and elements, which translates to roughly 0.83x scaling. While this made sense in the early days of CSS for simple documents, it can create problems in modern responsive designs where font sizes can vary dramatically. This is especially true when using fluid typography, where text sizes can scale smoothly between extremes.
Fluid scaling: A better solution
I’ve developed a solution that scales more naturally across different sizes by combining fixed and proportional units. This approach ensures legibility at small sizes while maintaining proper proportions at larger sizes, eliminating the need for context-specific adjustments.
Natural scaling: The degressive formula ensures that superscripts and subscripts remain proportional at all sizes
Baseline alignment: By using vertical-align: baseline and relative positioning, we prevent the elements from affecting line height and it gives us better control over the offset to match your specific needs. You’re probably also wondering where the heck these values come from — I’ll explain in the following.
Breaking down the math
Let’s look at how this works, piece by piece:
Calculating the font size (px)
At small sizes, the fixed 4px component has more impact. At large sizes, the 0.5em proportion becomes dominant. The result is more natural scaling across all sizes.
sup, sub {
font-size: calc(0.5em + 4px);
/* ... */
}
sub {
/* ... */
}
Calculating the parent font size (em)
Within the and elements, we can calculate the parent’s font-size:
The fluid font size is defined as calc(0.5em + 4px). To compensate for the 0.5em, we first need to solve 0.5em * x = 1em which gives us x = 2. The 1em here represents the font size of the and elements themselves. We subtract the 4px fixed component from our current em value before multiplying.
The vertical offset
For the vertical offset, we start with default CSS positioning values and adjust them to work with our fluid scaling:
The formula is carefully calibrated to match standard browser positioning:
0.5em (super) and 0.25em (sub) are the default vertical offset values (e.g. used in frameworks like Tailwind CSS and Bootstrap).
We multiply by 0.83 to account for the browser’s font-size: smaller scaling factor, which is used per default for superscript and subscript.
This approach ensures that our superscripts and subscripts maintain familiar vertical positions while benefiting from improved fluid scaling. The result matches what users expect from traditional browser rendering but scales more naturally across different font sizes.
Helpful tips
The exact scaling factor font-size: (0.5em + 4px) is based on my analysis of superscript Unicode characters in common fonts. Feel free to adjust these values to match your specific design needs. Here are a few ways how you might want to customize this approach:
I built this small interactive demo to show different fluid scaling options, compare them to the browser’s static scaling, and fine-tune the vertical positioning to see what works best for your use case:
Shopify’s 2025 Edition, humorously titled The Boring Edition, takes a no-nonsense approach to improving its platform.
Instead of introducing flashy new features, Shopify is doubling down on making its existing tools faster, more customizable, and more efficient.
Whether you’re a merchant or a developer, this release promises significant upgrades to help you save time, reduce friction, and grow your business.
What’s New for Merchants?
Faster, Smarter Checkouts
The Shopify Checkout experience is now up to 50% faster, ensuring customers can complete their purchases quickly.
Cart loading times have been dramatically reduced, and checkout buttons are up to 58% faster. These speed boosts are vital in reducing cart abandonment and improving the overall shopping experience.
Shopify has also added more customization options:
Checkout Blocks are now available on all plans, allowing merchants to personalize their thank-you pages or add promotional offers post-checkout.
Chat Integration enables customers to get live support directly during checkout, smoothing out any last-minute hesitations.
Draft Orders Expansion: Merchants can now bundle products, apply special pricing, and use Shopify Functions seamlessly in draft orders. This is particularly valuable for B2B merchants managing complex transactions.
Customer Account Upgrades
Shopify’s new Customer Account Extensions make it easier for customers to log in, track their orders, and handle returns—all from one streamlined interface.
For merchants, these accounts offer new ways to collect feedback directly from customers, helping you fine-tune your offerings.
For B2B businesses, customer accounts now include features like self-service for invoices and quotes, making it easier for wholesale buyers to manage their accounts.
Enhanced In-Store Selling Tools
Shopify POS (Point of Sale) has received several key updates:
Product Bundling: Merchants can now sell product bundles directly through POS, simplifying promotions and package deals.
Split-Screen Checkout: Staff can search for products while keeping the cart visible, speeding up in-person transactions.
Metafields Integration: Merchants can collect and use specific customer data at the point of sale, enabling more personalized service.
Time-Saving Automations with Shopify Flow
Shopify Flow now automates even more tasks, making it easier to manage your store:
Handle returns and exchanges without manual input.
Set up marketing campaigns like abandoned cart emails using pre-built templates.
Automate targeting with segment-based triggers, allowing you to engage specific customer groups effortlessly.
Checkout buttons and carts now load significantly faster.
Developers can embed chat apps directly into checkout and thank-you pages using new Chat UI components.
Draft orders now support Shopify Functions and checkout extensions, providing a consistent, customizable experience across all sales channels.
More Powerful Storefront Tools
Developers building storefronts will benefit from several major upgrades:
Liquid DX Enhancements: A new developer experience with features like autocomplete and better debugging tools, available through an improved VS Code extension.
Unified GraphQL API: Manage multiple elements of your storefront with fewer API calls, saving time and reducing complexity.
Faster Shopify CLI: The CLI has been rebuilt for instant server startup and no longer depends on Ruby, making it easier to set up and maintain.
Other Notable Features in the 2025 Edition
Chat Apps in Checkout: Provide real-time customer support to increase checkout conversions.
Returns Management: Automate the returns process with new triggers in Shopify Flow.
POS Hardware Integration: Enhanced support for Shopify’s POS hardware, ensuring smooth operations for brick-and-mortar stores.
Marketing Simplified: Pre-designed templates for marketing automation allow you to set up campaigns quickly and effectively.
Improved Personalization: Use customer data to deliver tailored offers and experiences, whether online or in-store.
Why Call It “The Boring Edition”?
Shopify leaned into the humor with this name, but it reflects the practical focus of the update. Instead of flashy features, Shopify concentrated on improving the tools you use every day. It’s about making things work better, faster, and with less friction.
Whether you’re a merchant looking for smoother workflows or a developer building better storefronts, Shopify’s 2025 Edition is all about efficiency and reliability. Sometimes, boring is exactly what you need to get things done.
Ah, the age-old cry of “Make the logo bigger!”—a phrase that echoes across boardrooms, email threads, and designers’ nightmares.
For decades, graphic designers have faced this seemingly innocent request from clients who are convinced their logo is the single most important element of any design. But let’s dive into the hilarity of this request and why it might just be the design world’s version of asking a chef to “make the salt saltier.”
Act I: The Grand Entrance
Picture this: a beautifully crafted webpage, sleek and modern, where every element is balanced like a Michelangelo fresco. The client takes one look and says, “Wow, this is amazing! But… can we make the logo bigger?”
Bigger? Bolder? Flashier? They might as well ask you to tattoo the logo on the forehead of every visitor. The designer adjusts it, reluctantly, to the size of a medium-sized pizza.
“Still not big enough,” the client insists.
By the end of the meeting, the logo has grown so large it resembles Godzilla rampaging across your meticulously designed Tokyo of whitespace and typography.
Act II: Science vs. Subjectivity
Designers are quick to pull out studies about visual hierarchy, explaining how a logo that’s too big can overshadow the message. But clients have a counterargument: “People won’t know it’s us!”
Ah yes, because your company’s success clearly hinges on whether your logo is visible from outer space. Forget about compelling copy, cohesive branding, or user experience. It’s all about that sweet, sweet real estate—the Helvetica equivalent of owning a penthouse suite on the design canvas.
Act III: The Slippery Slope
Once the logo reaches gargantuan proportions, it opens Pandora’s box.
“Can we make it spin?”
“How about if it follows the user’s cursor around the screen?”
“Could it emit a subtle glow? Like a lighthouse guiding lost consumers?”
At this point, you’ve gone from crafting a masterpiece to leading an avant-garde art project involving flashing lights and motion sickness.
Act IV: The Compromise
Experienced designers have a strategy: they make the logo slightly bigger—just enough to satisfy the client—then distract them with shiny things elsewhere in the design. “Look at this CTA button! Isn’t it amazing?” they’ll say, as the logo hovers ominously at an almost-reasonable size.
Sometimes, though, the client won’t budge. That’s when designers create a separate “Big Logo Concept” that looks like a Times Square billboard ad. The client immediately realizes, “Oh… maybe that is a little much.” Victory!
Epilogue: The Bigger Picture
The obsession with bigger logos is a testament to the love clients have for their brands. They want to be seen, remembered, and cherished. And honestly, who can blame them? It’s like a parent wanting their child to be front and center in every school play, even if they’re playing Tree #4.
So, the next time a client asks to make the logo bigger, remember: it’s not just about the logo. It’s about making them feel seen and heard. And if that means turning their logo into a blimp-sized beacon of self-assurance, well, at least you’ll have a good story for the next designer meet-up.
And hey, if all else fails, you can always charge by the square inch.
If you’ve ever used Reddit to dig for answers or insights, you know how much gold is hidden in its threads—but finding it isn’t always straightforward.
That’s where Reddit Answers, the platform’s new AI-powered feature, steps in. Think of it as your personal guide to navigating Reddit’s vast treasure trove of conversations.
Here’s everything you need to know about Reddit Answers, how it works, and why it might just become your go-to tool for discovering information.
What is Reddit Answers?
Reddit Answers is Reddit’s way of making its platform smarter and easier to use. It takes your questions—anything from “What’s the best way to learn a new language?” to “How do I fix a squeaky door?”—and provides an AI-generated summary based on discussions across Reddit.
But it doesn’t stop there. It also points you to related posts and communities where you can dive deeper into the topic.
Think of it as the lovechild of Google Search and Reddit, combining the search power of AI with the authenticity of real user conversations.
Image courtesy of Reddit Answers
Why Should I Use It?
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed scrolling through endless Reddit threads, this tool might be just what you need. Here’s how Reddit Answers helps:
Saves You Time: Instead of sifting through dozens of posts, you get a quick, curated answer.
Keeps It Authentic: The insights come straight from Reddit’s communities, meaning they’re packed with real-world advice and experiences.
Makes Exploring Easier: Want more details? Reddit Answers provides links to the original posts and related communities so you can dive as deep as you want.
For instance, if you’re researching the best gear for a hiking trip, Reddit Answers might summarize advice from multiple communities, then lead you to posts where outdoor enthusiasts discuss their favorite brands and strategies.
How Can You Use Reddit Answers?
As of now, Reddit Answers is available to a limited number of English-speaking users in the U.S. If you’re lucky enough to have access, you can use it to:
Ask Broad Questions: Don’t know where to start? Throw in a general query and let Reddit Answers guide you.
Explore Communities: Use the links provided to find niche communities full of experts and enthusiasts.
Save for Later: Found a goldmine of advice? Bookmark the links to revisit them anytime.
Is It Destroying the Essence of Reddit?
The real magic of Reddit has always been its messiness—the diverse perspectives, the debates, the occasional rabbit holes that lead you to unexpected gems.
Reddit Answers seeks to cut through that chaos, but some might argue that it also filters out the spontaneity and depth that make Reddit special.
If you’re looking for a quick answer, this feature might be perfect. But if you’re the kind of person who values the journey as much as the destination, you might find yourself missing the raw, unedited experience of diving into threads yourself.
To sum up
Right now, Reddit Answers is only available to a limited group of users in the United States, but Reddit plans to roll it out to more regions and languages soon.
Whether it becomes a cornerstone of the Reddit experience will depend on how it evolves. Will it remain a helpful shortcut, or will it fundamentally reshape how people interact with the platform?
There’s also the question of trust. AI is great at summarizing, but it’s not immune to error or bias.
Will Reddit Answers capture the nuances of human conversations, or will it risk misrepresenting them? These are questions Reddit users—and the platform itself—will need to grapple with as the feature grows.
