What’s wrong with software design today - Andy Allen (Dive Club S5 | E2)

The Nugget

Designing great software is not about what you do, but how you do it. It's about pushing boundaries, celebrating uniqueness, and focusing on craft to create truly differentiated experiences.

Key quotes

"most of us just organically are kind of pushed into managerial roles and Leadership roles because that tend to be how you sort of move up the ranks at within companies"
"the whole idea of like a more kind of personalized software experience... has maybe yet to play out a little bit more for us"
"almost all software is still feature differentiated right... but it's not about what you do it's how you do it"

Great design is about pushing boundaries, celebrating uniqueness, and focusing on craft to create differentiated experiences.
Designing software isn't just about the features; it's about the approach, attention to detail, and creating experiences that stand out.

There is a tension between creating familiar, user-friendly experiences and pushing boundaries to create discomfort and uniqueness.
Finding that balance between familiarity and discomfort is key in creating designs that resonate with users while also standing out.

Software design has the potential to be a medium for innovation and cultural impact similar to fields like architecture, fashion, and industrial design.
By pushing boundaries, challenging norms, and focusing on craft, software designers can contribute to the cultural landscape in meaningful ways.

Investing in personal taste by looking outside of design fields for inspiration can lead to fresh perspectives and innovative ideas in software design.
Balancing artistic vision with business practicality can lead to a stronger foundation for design decisions and career growth.

The future of software design lies in preserving great design, celebrating achievements, discussing design details, and passing on knowledge to the next generation.
Focusing on craftsmanship, creativity, and innovation can elevate software design to new heights and contribute to a richer design culture.

💡 Designing great software is not about what you do, but how you do it. Push boundaries, celebrate uniqueness, and focus on craft.
💡 Balancing familiarity with discomfort is key in creating standout designs that resonate with users while pushing boundaries.
💡 Software design has the potential to be a medium for innovation and cultural impact, similar to fields like architecture and fashion.
💡 Invest in your personal taste by looking outside of design fields for inspiration, balancing artistic vision with business practicality for strong design decisions and career growth.

This summary contains AI-generated information and may have important inaccuracies or omissions.