Designers just saved us all from email

Issue #007

Tune in at 12 p.m. CST today as Dan Mall joins for This Week in Design™ - the most chaotic design show in existence. Today, we’re diving deep into how designers can earn more in 2025. The event will be streamed from my personal Twitter account here.

I’ve been keeping an eye on Every and the way they’re building their media business. This week, they unveiled Cora, their new approach to email, and it’s hard not to be impressed. With a simple and direct design, Cora stands apart in a category that’s often bland and overly familiar.

What strikes me most is that such a small team can create something that feels polished and forward-thinking. The involvement of AI in their launch video isn’t just a neat trick—it’s a sign that they’re willing to push creative boundaries, even when it might feel a bit risky. That kind of spirit, to me, is what separates leaders from followers.

As a designer, I can’t help but feel challenged by this. It reminds me that we often confine ourselves to tools and methods we’re already comfortable with. The creative tools supporting Cora’s launch suggest that if we want our work to stand out, we must embrace a new paradigm of tools.

I’m still learning from this. It’s not just about staying current with new tools; it’s about reimagining what we can do with them. Whether writing, designing, or building something entirely new, we should never lose sight of the potential waiting outside our familiar limits.

Case Study: AI with a Human Touch - The New Face of Kriss.ai

This breakdown of Framer Wrapped is a fun read. While I got tired of everything Wrapped this year, Framer’s approach was fun and novel.

Soulful dive into animations from Emanuele.

Go make some weird AI videos while Pika is free!