David Appleyard

Trends / 6 Feb 2026

How Generative AI Is Redefining Brand Identity Systems

For decades, brand identity systems were built around consistency above all else.

Logos stayed fixed, color palettes were locked down, and typography rules were carefully controlled to avoid variation.

This approach made sense when brands communicated through a limited number of channels. But today’s brands live everywhere at once, across websites, apps, social platforms, motion graphics, and interactive products.

Generative AI is accelerating a shift that was already underway. Instead of treating identity as a rigid set of assets, brands are beginning to see it as a flexible system that can adapt to context, audience, and medium.

This change is reshaping how designers think about identity design, governance, and long-term scalability.

In this post, we explore how AI is redefining brand identity systems and how designers can prepare for this AI-first future.

Font Collections / 6 Feb 2026

20+ Best Imperfect Fonts for Unique Typography Designs

Sometimes the most interesting typography comes from fonts that embrace imperfection.

In this post, you’ll find imperfect fonts that bring raw energy, unexpected forms, and visual intrigue to your design work. 

These fonts challenge symmetry, regularity, and traditional balance, offering alternative approaches to letterform design with their irregular baseline shifts, uneven curves, or quirky details that feel handcrafted.

These fonts work beautifully for experimental design, packaging, posters, and branding that wants to stand out. They’re especially effective when you want typography that feels expressive, artistic, and unlike anything generic.

With the right imperfect font, your design will feel authentic, dynamic, and refreshingly unpredictable.

Graphics / 15 Nov 2025

Prompt Design for Artists: How to Get Better Results From AI Tools

AI-generated art has completely changed the creative landscape.

Tools like Midjourney, Leonardo AI, and OpenArt AI have made it possible for artists to turn text into vivid images in seconds.

But as powerful as these systems are, they’re only as good as the instructions they receive.

Writing prompts for generative art isn’t just about describing what you want; it’s about speaking the language of algorithms. A well-crafted prompt can mean the difference between a generic result and something truly inspiring.

“Around 29% of digital artists currently use AI in their creative work” – Artsmart

For artists, learning the skill of prompt design is like learning composition, color, or lighting; it’s a creative craft in its own right.

In this guide, we share with you some crucial tips on how to produce more consistent, artistic, and meaningful results using AI tools. Let’s get started.

Trends / 15 Nov 2025

Top 10 Branding Trends to Watch Out for in 2026

Branding never stands still. As technology evolves, so do the ways businesses express their identity and connect with audiences.

From AI-assisted design tools to cultural shifts shaping tone and authenticity, the world of brand building is changing fast.

But while many trends come and go, the best ones reflect deeper shifts in how people live, shop, and engage with brands.

They show how creativity adapts to new platforms and expectations while staying rooted in timeless principles like clarity, emotion, and trust.

As we move into 2026, a new wave of modern brand identity systems is emerging. Brands are thinking more dynamically, designing for fluidity rather than rigidity, and creating identities that can evolve across countless screens and experiences.

Today, we take a closer look at emerging branding trends that are defining the next phase of visual branding evolution.

Without further ado, let’s dive right in.

UX Design / 25 Aug 2025

How Card-Based Layouts Shape Modern UX

Card-based design has become one of the most popular UI patterns across the web and for good reason.

From mobile apps and dashboards to news websites and online stores, cards offer a flexible and clean way to organize content that’s easy to browse, understand, and interact with.

These modular blocks of content make it simple to display images, text, buttons, and links in a way that feels intuitive and responsive across all screen sizes.

But beyond just looking neat, card-based layouts play a big role in shaping how users experience and interact with digital products.

In this post, we’ll explore why card-based layouts work so well, how they influence user experience, and how to design cards that make content more usable and engaging.

Typography / 25 Aug 2025

120+ Best Modern Serif Fonts 2025

It’s time to delve into a collection of the best beautiful, modern serif fonts. Serif fonts are ideal for printed literature, detailed typography, or for creating a more formal effect. And these popular serif fonts really stand out from the crowd.

We’ve gathered more than 100 of the best modern serif fonts that you can quickly start using in your work. You’ll be amazed at what a difference they can make to your design project, compared to the more generic system fonts that get all too commonly used.

There’s nothing like a distinct serif typeface to really set your layout apart, and create something beautiful.

Many serif fonts risk feeling a little old a dated. Not these. Our pick of modern serif fonts all look fresh, innovative, and ready for creating design work that sets a trend! And our tips for choosing a modern serif font will help you pick just the right one for your project.

UX Design / 27 Jul 2025

Designing for Touch: How Finger-Friendly UI Enhances UX

With mobile devices dominating the way we interact with apps and websites, touch-based design has become more important than ever.

Whether it’s tapping a button, swiping through a gallery, or dragging a slider, users expect smooth and intuitive interactions that feel natural on their fingertips.

That’s why designing for touch isn’t just about layout—it’s about usability, comfort, and a frictionless user experience.

In this article, we’ll look at what it means to create finger-friendly interfaces, why it matters, and how designers can build touch-first experiences that feel effortless for users across all devices.

Font Collections / 27 Jul 2025

20+ Stylish Swedish Fonts With Scandinavian Simplicity

Swedish design is world-renowned for its clean lines, minimalist approach, and functional beauty, and that same philosophy shines through in typography.

In this collection of Swedish fonts, you’ll find typefaces that reflect the essence of Swedish style: understated yet bold, refined yet warm.

From crisp sans-serifs that feel fresh and modern to subtly decorative fonts with just the right amount of personality, these fonts are ideal for projects that call for clarity, creativity, and sophistication.

Whether you’re designing for a sleek modern brand, a lifestyle blog, or a Nordic-inspired packaging project, these fonts will help you instantly capture that iconic Scandinavian aesthetic.

Business / 14 Jul 2025

Designing for Print in Canva: Mistakes to Avoid

Canva is perfect for designing everything from business cards to posters. But when it comes to taking those designs from screen to paper, things can get tricky.

Designing for print has different rules from designing for digital. File resolution, bleed settings, color modes, and even licensing can impact how your final product looks and how legally safe it is to use.

If you skip over these details, you could end up with blurry prints, misaligned layouts, or worse, content you can’t legally distribute.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the most common mistakes people make when designing for print in Canva and how to avoid them, so your print materials come out clean, professional, and ready to share with confidence.

Let’s dive in.

Web Standards / 27 Oct 2022

Reinventing Design Choices for Privacy Permission Elements

A personalized experience is one of the most highly valued features of a modern website design. However, gathering the right consumer data is essential to provide customized services to website visitors. After all, you can only enhance consumer experience and provide a better service if you recognize customers to a degree.

The problem is, sometimes, such personalization comes at the cost of your users’ privacy.

There’s a way around this though. You can prioritize privacy UX, build trust, and still generate revenue. If done correctly, a user-focused approach can turn into conversions and make you a stronger player in your market.

Let’s see some common pitfalls and opportunities that you can use for your business or personal website.

Software / 26 Oct 2021

Top Tools Every UI/UX Designer Should Know

Wondering which tools successful UXers use to design top-notch digital products?

From ideation to developer handoff, UX designers rely on a variety of programs to execute each phase of the product development process. If you’re getting started with UX design, you’ll need to know what these tools can do for you and when to use them.

Fledgling UXers can build hands-on experience with essential design tools through a bootcamp course like Springboard’s UI/UX Design Career Track. With a diverse lineup of UX tools in your pocket, you’ll be able to optimize your deliverables at each stage of the design process.

Read on to learn more about the top tools you’ll need to master to create wireframes, prototypes, and more.

Instagram Templates / 21 Dec 2020

7 Best Instagram Tools for Designers in 2025

As one of the most popular social media channels, it is important to make the most of your presence on Instagram. This applies to business and individual brands.

Your photos, videos, stories, and reels can say a lot about you and your business. Much of that starts with a good design that’s representative of the work you do.

Here, we’ve collected seven of the best Instagram tools to help you make the most of creating and sharing online.