Hi First name / friend,
Last week I mentioned I had a surprise birthday weekend planned and it turned out to be even better than I expected. My partner secretly arranged for my best friend to fly over from England, and I had no idea! We spent the weekend wandering around Amsterdam, ticking off the best food spots, and just soaking up the city.
We actually studied graphic design together waaaay back in 2009 in Bristol (shout out any Bristol readers!), so there's always plenty to talk about, from creative projects to reminiscing about our student days, when partying felt like a full-time job.
Hereâs a photo of us catching a rare moment of sunshine, standing in front of the most stereotypically Amsterdam backdrop you can imagine! Living away from "home" has its perks, but it also means seeing close friends a lot less, which makes moments like these feel all the more special. |
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Alright, in this weekâs edition of The Friday Finisher, Iâve got some seriously good stuff for you. A bold rebrand of an old-school e-com brand that skips the typical tech vibes, a slick new design update from Apple, and a mockup youâre definitely going to love. Letâs get into it! |
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From MySpace Tees to a Fresh New Look
Big Cartel just got a seriously slick rebrand by How Studio, and itâs the perfect mix of bold, playful, and purpose-driven. It's an e-commerce platform built specifically for independent artists, makers, and small brands to easily set up and run their own online stores. The new identity leans into expressive typography, hand-drawn details, and a modular system that feels genuinely made for creatives, steering clear of any generic tech vibes.
Funny story â way back in 2007, I actually ran a tiny clothing brand on MySpace and used Big Cartel to sell online. It would blow my mind if anyone reading this has followed me since then. I had no idea Big Cartel was still going, let alone thriving. This rebrand is a great reminder that staying true to your creative roots can still feel fresh years down the line. |
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Calling All New Creatives and Graduates
Any newbies here or graduates to be? Itâs Nice That has opened applications for their "Ones to Watch" program, which shines a spotlight on emerging creatives across design, illustration, photography, animation, and more. Itâs open to anyone with less than a year of professional experience or graduating this year, offering a great platform to showcase fresh talent.
This yearâs program welcomes all backgrounds, whether youâre a recent grad or self-taught. Itâs a solid chance to gain exposure and connect with the creative community. The deadline to apply is June 22, so if youâre ready, nowâs the time to put your best work forward. |
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Apple Introduces Liquid Glass UI Appleâs new âLiquid Glassâ design update feels like a bold leap forward for iOS and macOS, trading flat minimalism for a semi-translucent, depth-infused aesthetic. The UI is defined by fluid layering, smooth gradients, and a tangible sense of dimension that draws the eye across apps, windows, and system controls. Itâs visually striking and immersive, enabling your content to pop while maintaining a polished, futuristic vibe.
In the video from Appleâs WWDC presentation, the design team showcases how Liquid Glass harmonises across all platforms, from iPhone to VisionOS. Early impressions feature mixed reactions, some praise the freshness, while others (like myself) raise valid concerns about legibility and hierarchy in a more complex visual environment. Let me know what do you think? |
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Not Your Average iPhone Mockup I came across this iPhone 14 mockup earlier in the week and had to share it. It features a sleek, tech-focused setup with the phone mounted on a futuristic tripod, not quite real-world, but modern and stylish in all the right ways.
Itâs great to find mockups that donât feel overly flat or fake, and this one really lets your design take the spotlight. The cool, minimal background adds just enough interest without stealing the show, making it perfect for showcasing clean UI work, digital art, or anything tech-related. |
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Design Portfolio Tips from the Best in the Game Creating a strong design portfolio is key to getting noticed, whether you're aiming for a job at a studio, looking for freelance clients, or trying to break into the industry. How you present your work matters just as much as the work itself. A great portfolio tells a clear story, shows your process, and avoids common mistakes like pixelated images, typos, or confusing layouts.
To help with that, my favourite studio Koto has released an excellent video as part of their Seasoned series, all about crafting a portfolio that really stands out. Itâs full of practical tips from one of the top agencies out there and covers everything from structure to storytelling. Even if you think you've mastered your portfolio, the video is a visual treat so its totally worth the watch! |
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Thanks for reading!
If you got this far, here is your question of the week:
Whatâs one weird source youâve pulled creative inspiration from? Hit reply and share your answer.
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NDSM
Amsterdam, 1033NA, The Netherlands |
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