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Marketing by Design – Design thinking that makes marketing work

The Future of UX Design is Intelligent Experience (IX) Design

Published about 2 years ago • 3 min read
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6 October 2024 | Issue #65

In this issue:

  • Intelligent experiences and intelligent experience design are the future
  • Cybertruck's logo is ... something
  • Pixel-perfect typeface
  • Design quote of the week

​David Armano is one of the brightest thinkers in the world of branding, design, and digital excellence. He just introduced a brand-new concept in the world of experiences. I had to read it a few times.

It's just that good.

In his most recent David by Design newsletter, he introduces the concept of Intelligent Experiences (IX). His thesis is that IX will develop as a sister field to UX.

David gave me a sneak preview when we chatted last week, and I've been thinking a lot about this.

We all need to think about experiences in a new way. Yes, we can use generative AI to write middle-of-the-road social posts or make cool fantasy images. But these underlying systems are all going to be talking to each other. We have to start thinking about the future of experiences. Having been there since the birth of UX, David sees parallels with how technology and interactions are evolving today. The technology and money are flowing like the early .com/UX days. Next will be the need to infuse empathy and emotion into the experiences.

There is a whole level that most of us aren't thinking about yet.

Here is yet another link because you need to read this thing.

NEWS AT THE INTERSECTION OF MARKETING, DESIGN, & AI

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💥 Tesla’s Cybertruck Logo is Sparking Debate

Creative Bloq dives into the controversy surrounding Tesla’s Cybertruck logo, calling it a “hot mess.” The logo’s angular, sharp, and almost graffiti-like style has been both praised for its bold, futuristic look and criticized for lacking polish and professionalism.

• Unconventional Design: The logo’s jagged typography mirrors the Cybertruck’s sharp, angular design. However, some feel the chaotic aesthetic is too extreme, even for Tesla’s avant-garde image.

• Brand Representation: While it’s meant to capture the rugged, post-apocalyptic vibe of the Cybertruck, designers argue the logo doesn’t convey the sophistication expected from a major brand like Tesla, creating mixed reactions in the design community.

• My Take: It, much like the vehicle itself, is trying way too hard to be edgy.

​Keep reading​

🔤 Designing the Perfect Pixel Font

In this episode, Kirupa sits down with Helena Zhang, a talented multi-disciplinary designer and the creator of the retro-inspired Departure Mono font, to discuss the art and precision behind pixel-perfect font creation.

• Retro Design Inspirations: Helena shares how old computer screens, classic video games, and sci-fi aesthetics inspired the creation of her popular pixel font, Departure Mono.

• Legibility in Pixel Fonts: Designing a pixel font is more than just nostalgia—it requires a deep focus on maintaining legibility and clarity in every pixel, especially when used in tech and code editing environments.

• My Take: I always enjoy Kirupa's podcast and newsletter, and I'm a big fan of retro pixel designs. Creating a custom typeface is a great way to stand out.

​Keep reading​

NEW RESOURCES FOR YOU

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No additional resources. Go read the IX article.

Design Quote of the Week

“An image can only be one element in constructing a sequence of understanding.”

– Germano Facetti

My AI disclaimer: I write the main stories by hand (with occasional assistance from Grammarly). The quick news hits are articles I've found, which I run through a ChatGPT prompt to generate the synopsis and bullet points. However, I write the My Thoughts bullet. If AI generates the images, I include the prompt so you can see how I got to that image. Nothing in this newsletter, or anything I publish anywhere, reflects the views of my employer.

HOW CAN I HELP YOU?

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If you want to learn more about what's available, here are some links:

Thanks for reading!

-Jim

​Let's chat about your career growth

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Marketing by Design – Design thinking that makes marketing work

Jim MacLeod

I test the AI tools, design trends, and brand moves marketers are talking about, then tell you what holds up and what doesn’t. Written by the author of the bestselling The Visual Marketer, after 20+ years leading brand, creative, and digital experience marketing teams.

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