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

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

⭐ 6 Stories: The Newest Happenings in Design

💊 3 Resources: Secret Creative Resources That Pros Use

⚡ 1 Tip: Selling the Problem, Not the solution

PS. Don’t worry, longform content is not disappearing, just getting re-organized. When I write new essays and reports, I’ll be sure to share them with you.

Reading time: 5 minutes

⭐ Stories

1. Open AI introduces Orb

Sam Altman’s World project introduces a redesigned Orb for biometric verification, capable of scanning irises to verify human identities. The new Orb, with enhanced AI performance using Nvidia’s Jetson chipset, will be accessible in various locations and even available for on-demand delivery. The Orb scans people’s eyes to capture a unique biometric pattern from the iris, which is then used to create a secure digital ID. This ID can be used to prove someone’s identity online or in person, helping distinguish real people from bots… (absolutely wild idea, I know) (Source)

2. Fuseproject designs Kind Humanoid

Fuseproject has designed a new body for Kind Humanoid, a robot by the tech studio of the same name, aimed at functioning in domestic and commercial spaces. The robot uses LLMs, enabling it to perform various tasks based on data-driven commands, such as pouring a glass of water when someone says, "I'm thirsty." The design has soft, rounded edges and a bronze color to make it feel friendly and approachable. While the overall look is new, the kimono-like torso feels a bit.. odd? (Source)

3. New Alarm Clock from Nintendo

Nintendo announced Alarmo, an alarm clock with a pretty cute Nintendo twist, featuring characters and sounds from games like Breath of the Wild and Pikmin 4. It has a motion sensor that lets you interact with it by moving, so rolling out of bed can silence the alarm, and waving can snooze it. While it’s fun and nostalgic, its sleep features are limited, and it doesn’t offer much beyond basic alarm functionality, making it more of a novelty item than a practical sleep aid. (Announcement Trailer)

4. Density releases Waffle

Density’s new sensor, Waffle, is a self-installable radar device designed to make workplace analytics easier, faster, and more affordable. The new industrial design is looking crispy and reminds me of minimal bay area tech aesthetic. It tracks real-time data on space usage - like meeting rooms and flex spaces up to 18 feet with a 140-degree view, and it’s small enough to be placed anywhere. I personally think people-sensing is going to be a huge industry but it’s riddled with privacy concerns. (Source)

5. Taste is eating Silicon Valley

I read this really insightful essay last week(before it went behind sub-to-read). Anu Atluru argues that the importance of software in Silicon Valley is being overshadowed by "taste"—the combination of design, aesthetics, and cultural relevance. She says, “In a world of scarcity, we treasure tools. In a world of abundance, we treasure taste”. In this new era, taste is becoming as important as utility, and founders must become tastemakers while investors look for companies that can merge tech and cultural impact. (Essay)

6. Adobe’s new AI tool Automates Resizing

Adobe's latest AI tool, Project Remix a Lot, quickly transforms hand-drawn sketches into editable digital designs, offers style inspiration applications, and automates resizing for social media formats (Which, to be honest, is an incredible feature). (Video from Adobe Max)

Hey real quick, I put a lot of effort into sharing only the best for my subscribers. Join 1870+ creatives Designing the Near Future, Here is a link.

💊 Resources

3 links to boost your creativity.

• Say it renders a graph of related subreddits (love this tool)

• Rebrand is a library of inspiring rebrands from the world

• How to Build a Profitable Personal Brand (In Just 30 Days) Great advice overall in a 20 minute video.

⚡ Tip

Selling the Problem, Not the solution

Creative businesses often jump straight to pitching their solutions, hoping they’ll impress clients. When I was a full time freelancer, I often had to control the urge to do so.

Reading Blair Enns’ Win Without Pitching Manifesto, I was struck by a related principle that addresses this: sell the problem before we sell the solution.

Why is this important? Because when clients clearly understand their own challenges, they recognize the urgency of addressing them. It builds trust and shows that you genuinely understand their situation before offering a solution. This positions your expertise as the essential tool they need to overcome their obstacles.

The Problem-Centered Sales Framework

1. Start with Empathy: Begin by listening deeply to the client’s challenges. The more they feel you understand their problem, the more likely they are to trust you.

2. Magnify the Impact: Highlight what happens if the problem isn’t solved - how it affects their growth, reputation, or goals. This makes the problem feel tangible and urgent. Don’t be afraid to ask uncomfortable questions

3. Read it Back to Them: I feel, this is the most important step. You want to make sure that you are verbalizing the problem as clearly as possible. Set the stakes.

4. Guide Them with Your Solution: Once the problem is clear, introduce your solution as the answer that guides them to success. This becomes less about what you offer and more about achieving a transformation (a story that everyone recognizes.)

“People don’t buy the best products and services; they buy the ones they can understand the fastest.” — Donald Miller

By focusing on the problem first, you connect with clients on a deeper level, positioning yourself as a trusted advisor rather than just a vendor. This approach addresses a common issue I see in creative businesses, especially in less mature markets, where the focus often jumps straight to the solution. When clients fully understand the problem, they not only appreciate the value of your solution but also become more invested in solving their challenges with your guidance.

Happy Designing!