Hi First name / friend,
Hello from a very warm Amsterdam. Apparently, we’re in the middle of a “heatwave”, though I feel like that word gets thrown around a bit too easily these days. It’s June, after all. Warm weather is kind of the deal, right? Still, my apartment’s heating up fast, my two cats are getting grumpier by the day, and it’s hard to stay focused when the beach is calling.
How are you finding work during these summer months? (Sorry if you’re reading this from the Southern Hemisphere, maybe you’re heading into winter instead!)
I’ve noticed a bit of a surge in freelance roles being posted lately, it feels like brands are looking for some extra hands before summer holiday season kicks in. I’ve actually applied for two freelance gigs here in Amsterdam. Hoping one of them turns into a nice rolling client… fingers crossed! Then I can tick that off my 2025 goals list.
I just wanted to say, as we hit the halfway point of the year, I realised I’ve sent this newsletter every Friday for over six months now, without missing a single one! Even if you haven’t been here since the beginning, I’m so glad you’re here now. I really appreciate you being part of this little corner of the internet where we get to geek out over all things design.
See you next week,
Callum x |
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More Than Just Oat Milk Recipes
Oatly, the iconic oat milk brand known for shaking up the dairy aisle, just dropped their Spring/Summer 2025 Look Book, a stylish, fashion-brochure–style guide for coffee lovers, complete with stunning, almost scientific photography, creative typography, and even Oatly-branded ice cubes. (I first thought the ice cubes were AI) The 19 inventive oat-based drinks push flavour boundaries, from smoky matcha to tea-coffee fusions, and every detail nails the brand’s bold direction. (I'm going to try make the Miso Maple Latte this weekend).
Although I freelance for Oatly, I wasn’t part of this project sadlly, but I have to applaud everyone involved. I love when a brand with a pretty simple product like oat milk dares to get creative and take its identity and brand somewhere fresh and exciting. |
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What They Don’t Teach in Design Class (But Should)
Most design schools teach students how to use tools and make things look good, but not how to think like a strategist. In the real world, designers are expected to understand business goals, navigate stakeholder dynamics, and contribute to growth. Figma’s latest article dives into what traditional design education is missing and why mastering business thinking is just as crucial as mastering Figma or Photoshop.
Whether you’re a design student, educator, or working professional, this piece offers practical ways to fill in the gaps, like how to learn from real-world projects, collaborate across disciplines, and advocate for more holistic design training. If you’ve ever felt unprepared to explain the value of your work beyond the pixels, this is a must-read. |
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Not a Copywriter? Same. This Site Helps. As designers, we’re often expected to come up with copy text too, even though that’s not really our job. That’s why I love this handy little site. It’s a super useful place that collects real headlines from websites (especially SaaS, B2B, and ecom brands) so you can see what actually works in the wild.
You can browse by tags like “Pain point” or “Simplicity,” and it shows full screenshots so you get the full context. It’s like a cheat sheet for writing better headlines. great for when your brain is fried and you just need a little bit of text to paste into your design, even just as a place holder. |
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The Flat Design Era Is Over… Apparently I came across a slightly chaotic, but also very entertaining video this week called Why the Flat Design Era is FINALLY Over. It dives into the decline of flat design with the kind of energy and unpredictability that makes you want to keep watching. While the editing is a bit all over the place, the core idea comes through loud and clear: flat design has become tired, and designers (and users) are craving more depth, texture, and visual interest. What I loved most is how the video champions a return to more expressive, tactile design, things like shadows, layering, and subtle gradients that add warmth without clutter. It’s a fun reminder that trends evolve, and maybe we’re entering a new chapter where digital design can feel a bit more human again. |
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Thanks for reading!
If you got this far, here is your question of the week:
What’s a terrible design trend you actually kind of miss? Hit reply and share your answer.
A lot of care goes into these emails, if they're not for you, please don’t mark them as spam. Just click unsubscribe below and I’ll make sure you don’t hear from me again 😊
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NDSM
Amsterdam, 1033NA, The Netherlands |
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