Hi Friends! I’m excited to share this week’s “Designing Near Future” Newsletter with you. If this email landed in your promotions folder, you know what to do. Welcome to the 12+ new members 👋 

Here’s the breakdown of what’s in store today

⭐ 1 Shift: The Democratization of Filmmaking

⚡ 1 Tip: Choose the Right buttons

💊 3 Resources: Secret Creative Resources That Pros Use

⭐ Shift

The Democratization of Filmmaking

We are back to the same format. Big story first, resources later.

Ready?

I want to share 3 stories with you that caught my eye recently. All these stories point towards the changing landscape of film making. Why filmmaking? Well, other than being the most influential art form that exists today, it is also extremely accessible. You need years of education to read a book but to watch a film, you just need to open your eyes.

At the end, I’ll share what these changes mean for film-making and what to expect from this industry.

Alright, let’s get into it.

Accessible Equipment and Techniques

"The Creator", released earlier this month, is a massive movie that's making waves, not just for its story, but for how it was made. Imagine making a huge, exciting sci-fi movie, but instead of using a super expensive camera, you use one that costs $4000. That's exactly what happened with this film. The Sony FX3 camera, which is pretty affordable compared to typical Hollywood cameras, was used to shoot it. This is a game-changer because it shows that you don’t need to spend heaps of money on a camera to make a great-looking movie. (Well technically, they still rigged the hell out of that camera but it would still cost less than a RED or an ARRI cinema camera)

The director, Gareth Edwards, decided to shoot in real places instead of using a lot of computer-generated images or fancy studio setups. This not only saved money but also gave the movie a real and authentic feel.

So, why does this matter? Well, it proves that making an IMAX blockbuster doesn’t have to break the bank. (Although it still is an $80M+ movie, their gear wasn’t where they spent the majority of the money). It shows that with a good story, smart and lean choices, filmmakers can create something amazing without a massive budget.

Speaking of budgets..

Rise of Indie Story Telling

I have been hooked onto discovering short cinematic films lately. And it’s not just me, there is a growing fascination amongst younger people who are looking to consume different types of (entertainment) content.

I stumbled across Nothing, Except Everything last week. It was released on Youtube just 10 days ago and has close to 1M views at the time of writing this. Directed by an 18 year old, it’s a story about a graduating high schooler navigating a world of seemingly inevitable chaos by finding order in the number 7. Beautifully written and directed in what I would imagine would be an under $50K production. (But I could be very wrong here.)

I highly recommend you check it out, it’s my favourite watch from this year.

Another one that came out a couple of months ago is a short film disguised as a youtube video called The adventure that saved my life. Again, brilliant, deep, emotional story telling. Shot and edited by film maker and youtuber, Natalie Lynn, the 27 minute film is about her own vulnerabilities, self doubt and how she learnt to trust again.

To wrap up, short films, especially on YouTube, are becoming a big deal. Young movie makers are using easy-to-get tools to tell their own deep and touching stories, and tons of people are loving it. It's a great time for anyone with a story to pick up a camera and share it with the world!

Cinematic Subscriptions

Everyone and their cats want to make their films look cinematic. And it’s not an easy task at all. This is where film making asset libraries come in. Over the last few years, this market has boomed, in part due to the rise of content creators. Services like Artlist and Musicbed allow you to find cinematic background music and sound effects for a monthly fee. Then there is Story Blocks and Film Pac for cinematic video assets. I personally have been a subscriber of Motion Array (not sponsored) because they do a bit of everything.

The point I’m trying to make is that for roughly 20 bucks a month, across these platforms, you will have access to tons of unique high quality assets to make even your phone shot videos cinematic. Combine this with the plethora of educational content by creators like Megan Tran and Vuhlandes helping you out, this is prime time for anyone trying to create high quality films.

So, what’s the shift?

What was once an inaccessible art form gatekept by big cinema houses, today is becoming a playground for anyone with a story to tell. The democratization of filmmaking is not just a trend but a reality that is reshaping the industry from the ground up. Let me explain.

This shift means that the industry is likely to become even more diverse and vibrant. We can expect to see more stories, from a wider array of perspectives, reaching audiences in the most authentic and relatable ways. The future of filmmaking is likely to be characterized by a blend of indie films and blockbuster productions, each learning from the other, and all having a space in the vast universe of cinematic storytelling. I mean, check out what these Indian youtubers are able to create out of their 90 day bike trip. Absolutely Incredible. (Spoiler, this series is all in Hindi)

The evolution in the filmmaking landscape is not just changing how movies are made, but also who gets to make them.

I think this is an exciting time where stories, not budgets, will be the star of the show, and where creators from all walks of life can share their narratives with the world.

Do you have any short film recommendations for me? I would love to hear 🙂 

Hey real quick, I put a lot of effort into writing only the best for my subscribers. Share this newsletter with a friend and join 1200+ creatives Designing the Near Future, Here is a link.

⚡ Tip

Choose the Right Buttons

Here is a quick tip to help you when designing buttons - for both physical and digital interfaces.

Physical Buttons: A Tactile Experience

Physical buttons are tactile guides for users. Protruding buttons, with their inviting design, naturally encourage pressing due to their noticeable presence and easy accessibility. They are often used for functions that are frequently accessed, such as volume control or channel selection. (or eg. the X,Y,A,B buttons on an XBOX controller.) The tactile feedback and ease of use make them user-friendly and intuitive.

Conversely, recessed buttons are typically designed to prevent accidental presses, safeguarding critical functions like power on/off or system resets. Their intentional design requires a deliberate action to activate, ensuring that users consciously engage with them, minimizing the risk of unintended consequences. Material, size, and resistance are also crucial in physical button design, ensuring they are durable and responsive while providing satisfactory tactile feedback.

The harder a button is get to, the greater the consequence.

Digital Buttons: A Visual Interaction

Digital buttons, while lacking tactile feedback, communicate through visual cues and design principles. Rounded corners, for instance, are not just aesthetically pleasing but also convey a sense of safety and ease, as they are softer and less aggressive to the eyes. They are often utilized in user interfaces where a friendly, approachable design is desired. (eg. Spotify’s call to action buttons)

However, placing rounded buttons in a horizontal arrangement can resemble filters or tabs, potentially causing confusion.

In contrast, square or rectangular buttons, especially with sharp edges, can communicate precision and formality. They are often used in professional or desktop applications where information density and function prioritization are key. (eg. tools in Adobe Photoshop).

This is a great short read on why we read sharp and round shapes so differently.

Happy Designing!

💊 Resources

3 links to boost your creativity.

• Off-Grid Great new design website with a bunch of interesting interviews, articles and inspo

• ColorContrast is a webtool to check if your designs meet accessibility standards

• This lovely video by Jake Frew on Your cringe is a superpower