#34: UX, Rebrands, Comics, and Building in Public

🎭 The Landscape of Design

Read The State of UX in 2025 which brutally highlights a shift towards algorithm-driven design, prioritisation of business metrics over user needs, and a decline in community-driven events. As UX design becomes more entangled with business objectives, there's a danger that creativity and innovation will be sacrificed for short-term gains.

🎨 Brand Evolution Stories

The rebranding landscape has been bustling lately, with contrasting approaches making headlines. BSNL's recent logo change has drawn criticism for its politically-tinged saffronisation, while Jaguar's rebrand has sparked heated online discussions. For those interested in the fascinating world of rebranding, I highly recommend Under Consideration's Brand New, and Logo Histories Newsletter - my go-to source for logo histories and latest brand transformations.

📚 Comic Renaissance

Comix Canal has emerged with a fresh identity and ambitious vision to elevate the Indian comic ecosystem. Their latest release Pannimalathu is a testament to their quality - stunning illustrations paired with compelling storytelling. I've already secured my copy and am eagerly anticipating their upcoming anthology Pandu (available in English & Malayalam)

Speaking of literature, the Bangalore Literature Festival is happening this weekend with an impressive lineup and free entry - who's joining me?

🛠️ Building Things, Imperfectly

Sometimes, done is better than perfect. A recent conversation with Melvin Thambi sparked thoughts about our approach to building products. Combining insights from Austin Kleon's concept of Make something for somebody and Ira Glass's quote about creativity, I've shifted my perspective on perfectionism. The result? A brutalist no commentary archive of my works at found.hiran.in

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Job Board

• 🎯 OldMonks Design, the creative force behind Kerala's most striking movie posters, is expanding their Kochi studio. Multiple design roles open - Senior & Junior Art Directors to Junior Designers. Portfolio required. Contact Sreejith to join his award-winning team at creative@oldmonksdesign.com

• 🎯 Award-winning Malayalam screenwriter Muhsin Parari (Sudani from Nigeria, Thallumala, Virus) is expanding The Writing Company. Seeking creative minds for Lead Writing Associate & Writing Assistant roles. Portfolio + role-specific assignments required. Check Instagram for details!

• 🎯 SurveySparrow is expanding their product design base. Anand is hiring for Marketing designer for web with 2-3 years of experience. Must have a strong portfolio. Connect anand@surveysparrow.com

I'm keeping this section focused on opportunities where you have direct hiring access or can personally refer candidates. This helps our community connect with meaningful roles through warm introductions, rather than generic job board listings. Want to help someone find their next role? Email me.

&Thats

• Suresh Eriyat is presenting 'Eeksauras Revelled' in Bangalore. On December 14th, he will be joined by his father Mr. P.N.K Panicker (Ghost Writer would be a fitting name for him, though it already has a meaning!) for the launch of book version of 'Seen it'. The event takes place at 4 PM at the Bangalore International Centre.

• Read recommendations: Derek Sivers on wealth and A Smart Bear’s take on scaling. (Must read if you are part of a big org!)

• Fascinating read on Typeroom about non-Latin type design featuring Vaishnavi Murthy, discussing cultural diversity in typography.

• The Verge's deep dive into how AI is changing our photo memories - thought-provoking piece on the intersection of mobile cameras and AI-edited memories.

• Recent Movie Recommendations : Vazhai, Kishkindha Kaandam, Meiyazhangan

• Caught two remarkable interviews: Aravind Swami's candid chat with Gobinath and a nostalgic conversation between old schoolmates Mohanlal, Priyadarshan, and Suresh Kumar.

• Stanly Johny’s new book Original Sin : Israel, Palestine and the Revenge of Old West Asia is now available for preorder. Johny is known for co-authoring The Comrades And The Mullahs: China, Afghanistan and the New Asian Geopolitics and writing The ISIS Caliphate: From Syria to the Doorsteps of India

• Check out this clever blackout poetry generator and HTML for People.

• Figma is increasing its pricing, adding admin approval process for seat management, and making billing experience complicated. Dark patterns!