Sketchback

Sketchback is Now Ready for Real-World Collaboration! Our mission at Sketchback is simple: to be the best way for designers to get feedback from their clients. Today, we’re thrilled to announce that Sketchback has reached a major milestone in achieving that - we're ready to support real client projects! We've started demoing the platform with real teams on live projects, and we're paying close attention to the feedback. Plus, as part of this process, we’re inviting a select group to join us as Founding Users. As a Founding User, you’ll have the opportunity to shape Sketchback’s future while using the platform to drive your own projects forward. This program will also be the only way ever offered to receive a reduced price on Sketchback once it fully launches, aside from our non-profit and educational initiatives. Want to be a part of the journey? Reach out to us at contact@sketchback.com, or go to this link (https://lnkd.in/eADNdhgZ) to schedule a demo and learn more. We're excited for what's next - we’ve come a long way, but we’re just getting started.

Monika, an AI tool, is charging $5,000 for a list of brand names - and some agencies think it's worth the price. Monika promises 20 “trademark-ready” brand names for a flat fee. That’s a fraction of the $30,000+ some traditional agencies charge for the same service. Monika’s founders argue that chasing the “perfect name” often leads to wasted time and money, claiming that AI can cut through the stress and deliver names that work - quickly and efficiently. And maybe they’re not wrong - there are agencies already white-labeling Monika’s names. But is faster and cheaper really better? Brand naming is often emotional, subjective, and the foundation of long-term identity. Reducing that process to a few days of machine learning output risks losing the nuance that a great name can offer. While Monika may save money, what do brands lose when the heart of their identity is generated by an algorithm? #BrandStrategy #AIinBranding #GraphicDesign

Fonts can do more than look good—they can express emotion. Jessica Walsh’s Type of Feeling brings emotion to the forefront of design. Take Jubel, for instance. Its bold strokes and lively curves are designed to communicate joy and celebration. It’s not just about readability—it’s about conveying excitement visually. On the other hand, Ssonder takes a completely different approach. As a sleek and elegant serif, it’s built to evoke a more introspective feeling, drawing from the realization that everyone has their own complex story. For design managers and creative leads, this reinforces a key insight: Typography is part of your brand's emotional toolkit. Whether you’re aiming to inspire excitement or reflection, fonts can set the tone before a single word is read. Next time you’re working on a project, ask yourself—what feeling are you trying to communicate, and are your type choices supporting that? #Typography #CreativeStrategy #GraphicDesign

Want to break into product design management? Here’s the essential foundation you’ll need to get started. A bachelor’s degree in fields like graphic design, industrial design, or human-computer interaction is a great place to begin. From there, gaining practical experience through internships or entry-level design roles is essential. Focus on building skills in user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design while mastering tools like Sketch, Figma, and Adobe Creative Suite. As you progress, develop a strong portfolio that showcases a diverse range of projects. Your portfolio should highlight not only your design abilities but also your problem-solving process and outcomes. Building leadership skills is equally important—look for opportunities to lead small teams or manage projects to gain experience in guiding others and aligning design with business goals. To further boost your qualifications, consider certifications in UX or project management. By continuously seeking roles with increasing responsibility, expanding your portfolio, and demonstrating your ability to lead effectively, you’ll be well-positioned for a product design manager role. #ProductDesign #CareerPath #UXDesign

In 1974, United Airlines turned to Saul Bass for a bold rebrand—here’s why the “Tulip” logo became an industry-defining design. By the early 1970s, United Airlines had risen to become the largest domestic airline in the U.S. after years of financial challenges. But instead of resting on their success, they decided to take a bold step—redefining their brand. The goal? To shed their “conservative and stodgy” image and signal to the world that United was now an innovative, contemporary, and people-focused airline. To achieve this, they turned to the legendary designer Saul Bass, known for his work with some of the biggest brands in the world. Bass spent two years analyzing public sentiment, testing hundreds of logo concepts before landing on a design that would become iconic. The result? The famous red, white, and blue Tulip, crafted from two overlapping U-shapes, slanted at a 68-degree angle to represent movement and dynamism. More than just a logo, this design was a strategic shift. By moving away from the generic shield used since 1936, United signaled a break from the past and embraced the future of aviation. The Tulip was applied across 1,800+ items, from aircraft livery to ticket sleeves, ensuring it became synonymous with the airline’s identity. The consistent use of the logo across multiple touchpoints made it instantly recognizable and built trust with customers. The lesson? Design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about strategy. Saul Bass understood that a logo’s power comes from how well it tells the brand’s story, and how often people see it. His work for United Airlines shows that when design is done right, it can transform a brand’s image for decades to come. #BrandStrategy #IconicDesign #GraphicDesign

Ottolenghi’s latest rebrand shows how playful design can refresh a brand without losing its essence. Ottolenghi, long known for its sleek and minimalist visual identity, recently introduced a refreshing twist to its branding. Partnering with design studio Irving & Co and digital agency Studio Graft, they’ve added playful cut-outs, joyful illustrated faces, and a vibrant sun as new graphic elements. This brings a sense of fun and conviviality to the brand while maintaining its classic red-and-white palette — a subtle evolution that feels both fresh and familiar. What stands out in this rebrand is how simplicity and spontaneity are used to enhance the brand experience. The new sun mark, created from paper cut-outs, acts as a warm nod to Ottolenghi’s Mediterranean roots. Meanwhile, the hand-drawn face, appearing occasionally across packaging and web elements, adds a friendly, human touch that “winks” at the audience. It’s a reminder that design doesn’t have to be overworked to be effective. A few playful elements can do a lot of the heavy lifting in making a brand feel approachable. For design managers and creatives, this is a great lesson in how to refresh an established brand without losing its essence. A well-placed element — whether it’s a logo tweak or a small illustrated detail — can inject new energy into a project. Ottolenghi’s rebrand shows how tactile design choices like cut-outs or illustrations can elevate a brand’s identity while staying true to its core values. As you consider your next design project, how can you introduce a sense of playfulness and spontaneity while staying on-brand? #Branding #GraphicDesign #PackagingInnovation

From Junior Designer to Chief Design Officer—here’s the full career roadmap for design leadership and climbing the product design ranks. The Career Path of a Product Design Manager Curious about how to climb the ladder to this position? Here’s a typical career progression: Junior Product Designer At this entry level, you’ll focus on assisting senior designers, working on design components, and conducting user research. Building a strong portfolio and mastering design tools are key to advancing. Product Designer Now responsible for designing product interfaces and conducting usability tests, you’ll collaborate with cross-functional teams. To advance, take on more complex projects and start leading small design initiatives. Senior Product Designer At this stage, you’ll lead major design projects and mentor junior designers. Developing leadership skills and contributing to strategic design decisions are crucial for moving forward. Lead Product Designer Here, you’ll oversee a design team and ensure design consistency across projects. Focus on project management, driving innovation, and aligning design goals with business objectives. Product Design Manager Now managing a team, you’ll coordinate design projects and ensure alignment with business goals and user needs. Developing strong managerial skills and staying up-to-date with design trends will help you succeed. Senior Product Design Manager As a senior manager, you’ll oversee larger teams and multiple projects. The focus shifts to strategic leadership, influencing design culture, and mentoring future leaders. Director of Product Design At this executive level, you’ll set the design direction for the company and collaborate with other top executives. Leadership, strategic vision, and innovation are the keys to this role. VP of Product Design Now responsible for the entire design organization, you’ll drive design excellence and contribute to the business strategy. Strong executive leadership and a forward-thinking design vision are critical. Chief Design Officer (CDO) The top of the ladder! Here, you’ll oversee all design aspects of the company, ensuring a cohesive strategy across all products. Focus on visionary leadership and champion design as a core business value. Want to know more about how to become a Product Design Manager? Follow Sketchback—we’ll be sharing a detailed guide next week on the exact steps you can take to land this role! #ProductDesign #CareerPath #UXDesign

WHSmith’s 1973 logo redesign proves one thing: a versatile logo can be your brand’s most powerful asset across any platform. The “cube” logo wasn’t just a standalone symbol; its geometric simplicity allowed it to transform into a repeating pattern. This flexibility turned the logo into a powerful branding tool, appearing on everything from shop fascias to packaging and even wrapping paper. The lesson here? The more ways your logo can be used, the stronger your brand presence becomes. A well-designed logo should adapt seamlessly across touchpoints, whether it's for digital platforms, print, or physical products. In today's crowded market, flexibility in design means your brand remains consistent and recognizable, no matter the medium. #LogoDesign #BrandStrategy #GraphicDesign

Ever wonder what Product Design Managers earn? Check out the salary ranges, plus the top companies paying six figures. A Product Design Manager plays a critical role in shaping the user experience and interface design for SaaS products. But what kind of salary can you expect in this role, and how does the career path unfold? Let’s break it down. Product Design Manager Salaries by Experience, Location, and Industry By Experience Level Junior Product Design Manager (2-4 years): $80,000 - $100,000 per year Mid-level Product Design Manager (5-7 years): $100,000 - $130,000 per year Senior Product Design Manager (8+ years): $130,000 - $160,000 per year By Location Salaries also vary significantly by geography. For instance: San Francisco, CA: $150,000 - $172,000 New York, NY: $130,000 - $150,000 Chicago, IL: $120,000 - $130,000 Austin, TX: $110,000 - $120,000 By Industry Compensation can also shift based on the industry: Technology: $120,000 - $150,000 Finance (FinTech): $110,000 - $140,000 Healthcare: $100,000 - $130,000 Retail: $90,000 - $120,000 Top-Paying Companies Some companies offer well above the industry average. For example: Meta (Facebook): $287,000 - $434,000 (total compensation) Apple: $250,000 - $363,000 Microsoft: $214,000 - $290,000 Clearly, this position can be lucrative. But what does the career path look like, and how do you get started? We’ll dive into it next week. #ProductDesign #CareerPath #UXDesign

Product Design Managers are the glue between creativity and functionality in SaaS—here’s what makes their role so crucial. If you’ve ever wondered what a Product Design Manager does, think of them as the bridge between creativity and functionality. In the world of SaaS (software as a service), their job is to ensure that the design of a product isn’t just visually appealing but also easy to use and aligned with business goals. Here’s a breakdown of what they do: - Lead the Design Team One of the most important tasks for a product design manager is to lead a team of designers. They ensure the team is working cohesively to create user-friendly designs that solve real problems. They mentor junior designers and help the team stay focused on delivering high-quality work. - Collaborate with Cross-Functional Teams Product design managers don’t work in a vacuum. They collaborate closely with product managers, developers, and other stakeholders to make sure that the designs meet both user needs and business goals. This means constantly communicating and balancing feedback from different teams. - Ensure Consistency and Usability Ensuring that a product is consistent in its look and feel is key. A product design manager is responsible for maintaining design standards across the product, making sure that it not only looks good but is easy for users to navigate. They also conduct usability testing to gather feedback and make necessary improvements. In short, a product design manager is responsible for leading the design team, guiding the design process, collaborating across departments, and ensuring the final product meets high standards of usability and consistency. It’s a critical role in delivering products that users love to engage with. #ProductDesign #SaaS #GraphicDesign