Hi Friends! I’m excited to share this week’s Designing Near Future. Here are the latest updates from the design industry, all in bite-sized, easy-to-digest pieces.

Breakdown of what’s in store today:

⭐ 5 Stories: The Newest Happenings in Design

💊 3 Resources: Secret Creative Resources That Pros Use

⚡ 1 Tip: The Red Sneakers Effect

Reading time: 4 minutes

⭐ Stories

1. Audi’s Rebrand for China has No Rings

Audi is rethinking its image for the Chinese market by dropping its iconic four-ring logo in favor of a sleek new “AUDI” wordmark on its latest E concept car. I think it’s an interesting move as Audi is clearly aiming to connect with China’s tech-savvy audience, and this sends a strong signal of digital innovation over preserving tradition. With a new partnership with SAIC Motors and ambitious model releases planned, Audi seems ready to take on a competitive EV landscape dominated by local brands like BYD. (Source)

2. Casio launches a ‘Furry’ AI Pet

Casio’s expanding into robotic pets with “Moflin,” an AI-powered fur ball designed to offer companionship through voice and gesture recognition. This hypoallergenic pet responds to affection but might hold a grudge if ignored. It’s like a Furby for the modern age - adorable, techy, and to be honest kinda mysterious! (Source)

3. A Student Project Transforming Accessibility

I stumbled upon Adæpt by Zexi Ye on LinkedIn, and it’s an incredible showcase of student design talent that deserves more attention. Created to help individuals with cerebral palsy access the digital world independently, Adæpt uses a custom touchpad and a “focus indicator” to replace the standard cursor, allowing for precise navigation tailored to each user’s unique needs.

Beyond helping users, the tool also enables caregivers to assist remotely via an app, providing greater freedom for both parties. I highly encourage you check it out (The video is just amazing). (Project)

4. Why Gen Z Loves Staying In (Study)

Last week, I came across a study showing that Gen Z is opting to stay home more, turning weekends into cozy gatherings and intimate dinner parties rather than night out at bars. The article says that this trend reflects a new social comfort zone where they feel less pressure and more control in familiar spaces. Bars are catching on, creating homey atmospheres with cozy couches, “living room” pours, and bartenders who just know what to recommend. (Article) (Full Study PDF)

PS. This kind of stuff is really exciting to me as it reveals some interesting opportunities for design.

5. Design Trends for 2025 According to Experts

Design leaders share fascinating insights on what’s shaping up for 2025. AI continues to dominate, with new tools moving from ideation to final output. Red Antler’s Kiser Barnes believes that soon AI will be creating “brand assets and content in real-time.” This article hits on more themes like the rise of sound as a key design element and the increasing importance of design writing. It also explores the “minimalist maximalism” trend and a renewed focus on physical experiences as a counterbalance to digital saturation. (Article)

💊 Resources

3 links to boost your creativity.

• Land Book is a neat little website for web design inspiration

• 150+ Sales Email Subject Lines That Get Opened, Read, and Responded To in 2024

• A Foreigner Opening A Design Studio in Japan is a super insightful talk on setting up a design studio in foreign land

⚡ Tip

The Red Sneakers Effect

In a 2014 study published in the Journal of Consumer Research, researchers Silvia Bellezza, Francesca Gino, and Anat Keinan introduced the Red Sneakers Effect, revealing that small acts of nonconformity can increase perceptions of status and competence. The study found that people who subtly defy social norms, like wearing red sneakers or dressing casually in formal settings, often appear more confident, autonomous, and high-status than those who strictly conform.

This phenomenon is visible in the branding choices of industry icons and innovative companies. Steve Jobs famously wore a black turtleneck and jeans, a stark contrast to the standard suit, projecting a confident independence that became a symbol of Apple’s ethos. Today, brands like Nothing use ‘against the grain’ design choices and clear casings to disrupt the overly polished tech aesthetic, and Mailchimp’s quirky, non-corporate brand voice sets it apart from more corporate competitors.

For you, the Red Sneakers Effect can be a powerful tool in design, creativity, and running a business. Welcoming nonconformity, even in small, subtle ways, allows you to set yourself apart with confidence and originality. Think about how a slight divergence from the norm - an unexpected color, a differentiated narrative, a daring design choice can make your brand feel more memorable, more self-assured, and more authentically you.

So many times clients come to designers asking for something that “Apple would design”. But a better question to ask is, What can we design that’s as distinctively ours as Apple’s designs are to them?

Happy Designing!