Latest news with #digitaldesign
Forbes
01-08-2025
- Business
- Forbes
10 Tips To Make Your App A Must-Have Touchpoint
Alex Kreger, UX Strategist & Founder of the financial UX design agency UXDA, designs leading banking and fintech products in 39 countries. If users can't easily find, book or use your service online, you're behind. Some companies pour years and millions into a 'killer app,' then treat it as a checklist item instead of a living relationship. I believe this is a mistake, however, as success is decided in seconds—a quick search, an Instagram scroll, or one 'Delete App' tap. Stand‑out digital experiences build trust and value; generic ones fade into the noise. Drawing on a decade spent designing 150-plus complex digital products for banks and fintechs across 39 countries, I've distilled 10 signals that can help turn your digital service into a must-have touchpoint, rather than a forgettable one. Let's see where your business stands: 1. It coaches. It doesn't command. Great apps should empower rather than micromanage. Instead of forcing users through rigid, tooltip-ridden 'tours,' provide contextual guidance. This approach respects autonomy and helps build confidence. At my company, we call this UX strategy "progressive disclosure." For example, for a trading app we designed for a securities company, we developed an easy-to-use-and-understand dashboard that expands into advanced features or educational data on demand, depending on what type of user came in (i.e., expert or novice). 2. It builds on users' strengths with thoughtful personalization. Apps that teach users to master them are more likely to stay installed. What's your product's equivalent of an in-house mentor? A standout service pays attention to past behavior, location or preferences and uses them to surface the next best action. Whether that means pre-filling shipping details or recommending learning modules, smart personalization shows you understand—and value—the individual behind the screen. 3. It treats people as humans, not data points. Is your team more obsessed with frameworks or with the life your user is trying to improve? Research from PwC, Emplifi and Invoca all show that just one or two bad experiences can drive even loyal customers away. It's important to make your app feel humane by using plain language, celebrating milestones and offering flexible support options. This helps create the kind of emotional safety that keeps people coming back. 4. It radiates authentic brand charisma. If we hide your logo in the app, would users still recognize your service and business, or would it melt into the sea of generic look-alikes? From color palette to micro-copy, the product experience should feel unmistakably you. To do this, we strive to create visual metaphors and identities that fuse a brand's essence with what its audience desires. For instance, we once worked with a lifestyle‑banking app in the United Arab Emirates and translated Dubai's vibrant culture into a vivid, fashion‑inspired interface. The goal was to keep young users engaged at every step of their digital journey. For a different client, we distilled its innovative energy into a neon‑green 'energy circle,' which is used to anchor the brand across its app, marketing campaigns and live events. 5. It helps users grow beyond the original use case. If your service can't grow with its audience, your total addressable market is capped by your imagination. Ask yourself: What version of your app will users need next month? Think of productivity suites that surface automation tools only after someone's nailed the basics or fitness apps that dynamically raise goals when you smash the old ones. Great products reveal new paths as users mature. 6. It's frictionless—and stays that way under load. Speed isn't just user experience polish; it's retention insurance. It's often said that roughly half of mobile users abandon a webpage that takes longer than three seconds to load. Best services obsess over performance budgets, pre-cache heavy assets and degrade gracefully on slow networks. Speed isn't a feature—it's table stakes. I've seen this firsthand. A major retail bank was losing clients even after cutting fees twice, adding innovative features and doubling its ad budget. We conducted an audit and found a significant lack of app speed. By adding biometric login, streamlining the navigation and dashboard, and introducing quick actions and one‑tap payments, core tasks were 27 times faster and the churn stopped. 7. It listens continuously and iterates quickly. You track funnels—great. But are you capturing the "why" behind each drop-off, or are you just looking at clicks? Built-in feedback widgets, in-app surveys and telemetry that prioritizes outcome metrics over vanity installs show users their voice steers the roadmap. Regular, incremental releases prove you heard them. 8. It delights with tiny, well-timed dopamine moments. In my experience, a single celebratory animation can anchor habit loops better than a month of push-notification nags. Where's your confetti? Micro-interactions—such as a satisfying haptic pop or an encouraging confetti burst—create a sense of praise and emotional connection. They are easy to implement, support dopamine design and can reinforce desired behavior when sprinkled sparingly. 9. It turns vision into a clickable strategy. Great products translate lofty vision into concrete plans. Every flow, screen and micro-interaction can ladder up to clear business objectives: Better onboarding can lower acquisition cost, dashboards can spotlight premium value and retention loops can lift lifetime value. For example, we worked with a 100-year-old bank in Europe and saw that after mapping local user needs and applying best practices, 80 % of transactions were digitalized and digital usage was lifted by 60%. Link the user experience to your business goals and brand, so pixels aren't just pretty—they're profit engines. 10. It measures success by customers' success. Features that don't tie to users' success metrics are tech debt in disguise. Which tickets in your backlog secretly qualify? Best-in-class services bake user-centric optics into dashboards that track real outcomes—such as tasks completed, money saved or carbon reduced—rather than only corporate key performance indicators. When metrics align with what matters to people, retention becomes a side effect. Final Thoughts When an app coaches, personalizes, listens and delivers results at the speed of thought, users feel the difference immediately. Exceptional digital services aren't built feature-by-feature—they're cultivated empathy loop by empathy loop. If you serve real human needs with relentless craft, your digital product can transcend 'app' and become an advantage no one wants to live without. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Young, Certified, and Winners: Pearson's Certiport Announces 2025 Adobe Certified Professional World Champions
The winners of Certiport's 2025 Adobe Certified Professional World Championship The winners of Certiport's 2025 Adobe Certified Professional World Championship ORLANDO, Fla., July 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pearson is proud to recognize the winners of the 2025 Adobe Certified Professional World Championship, announced by Certiport, a Pearson VUE business, and the leading provider of performance-based IT certification exams that accelerate academic and career opportunities for learners. Now in its 12th year, the annual competition challenges contestants from around the world to demonstrate their superior digital design skills using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Thiago Mello from Brazil won the top prize out of 47 finalists who came together in Orlando from July 27 - 30, 2025, for the final round. The 2025 Adobe Certified Professional World Champions are as follows: First place, Thiago Mello, Brazil Second place, Hallie Mitchell, United Kingdom Third place, Veleria Ximena Barreiro Guillen, Ecuador Fourth Place, Lucas Maia, Brazil Fifth Place, Reina El Chami, Lebanon Sixth place, Sophia Michelle Alfaro Escobar, Peru Seventh place, Norah Dunyach, USA Eighth place, Lihka Belenytska, Macau China Ninth place, Zhenghao Wang, China Tenth place, Chayanon Hanam, Thailand Finalists used Adobe Creative Cloud software to create design elements for the non-profit organization Networking for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) within eight hours. Participants designed posters and social media posts to promote awareness of NFTE's World Series of Innovation (WSI), an international online competition where students aged 13-24 develop solutions related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. 'In partnership with Adobe and Pearson, this competition gave students a chance to strengthen their entrepreneurial mindset and creative skills, while amplifying the reach of the NFTE World Series of Innovation. Their designs show how creativity can do more than just look good, it can tell stories that inspire change and shine a light on the global issues that matter,' Cheyanne Ornelas, Program Manager, World Series of Innovation at NFTE. A panel of judges, including representatives from NFTE and design industry experts, reviewed the final projects and determined the winners based on visual appeal, ability to meet the client's requirements and brand aesthetics, as well as their professional use of Adobe Creative Cloud applications. The first-place winner received an $8,000 cash prize. The second-place and third-place honorees received $4,000 and $2,000, respectively. 'It is incredible to witness how these young people use the skills that they acquired through getting certified in ADOBE, to create such amazing pieces of art in answer to a real-world brief,' says Dr Gary Gates, Managing Director, Pearson VUE. 'This competition truly demonstrates the value of developing critical career skills that give them a considerable advantage in their chosen career path.' 'Certiport's Adobe Certified Professional World Championships provide a unique opportunity for students from across the globe to showcase their creativity and technical skills while participating in real-world design challenges," said Liana Maharaj, Head of Student Learning and Certification at Adobe. "By earning an Adobe certification and competing at this level, these students are building confidence, gaining valuable experience, and creating a strong foundation for their future careers. We're excited to support their journey and celebrate the incredible potential they bring to the world of design.' Certiport will host the 2026 Adobe Certified Professional World Championship at the Disney Grand California, Anaheim, California, from July 26-29, 2026. Learn more about Certiport's Adobe Certified Professional World Championship here. About Certiport Certiport, a Pearson VUE business, is the leading provider of certification exam development, delivery and program management services delivered through an expansive network of over 13,000 Certiport Authorized Testing Centers worldwide. Certiport manages a sophisticated portfolio of leading certification programs including: the official Microsoft Office Specialist certification program, the Microsoft Certified Fundamentals certification program, the Microsoft Certified Educator program, the Adobe® Certified Professional certification program, the Autodesk Certified User certification program, the Intuit certification program, the Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) certification program, the Meta Certified Digital Marketing Associate certification program, the App Development with Swift certification program, the Project Management Institute Project Management Ready certification program, the Unity Certified User certification program, the Communication Skills for Business certification program, the IC3 Digital Literacy certification, and the Entrepreneurship and Small Business certification program. Certiport reliably delivers over three million tests each year throughout the secondary, post-secondary, workforce, and corporate technology markets in 148 countries and 29 languages worldwide. For more information visit or follow Certiport on X at "Certiport" is a registered trademark of NCS Pearson, Inc. in the United States and other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. About NFTE Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) ignites the entrepreneurial mindset with unique learning experiences that empower students to own their futures. A global nonprofit founded in 1987, NFTE provides high-quality entrepreneurship education to middle school, high school and postsecondary students. NFTE brings the power of entrepreneurship to students, regardless of family income, community resources, special needs, gender identity, race, or ethnicity. NFTE has educated more than a million students, delivering our programs in school, out of school, in-person, online, or through hybrid models. Visit to learn more. Press Contact:Greg Forbes, +44 782 431 3448 Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: in to access your portfolio
Associated Press
23-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Icons8 Launches New AI-Powered Tools to Enhance Icon Design Workflow for Developers and Designers
Wilmington, Delaware--(Newsfile Corp. - July 23, 2025) - Icons8, a global provider of digital design assets, has launched a suite of new AI-powered tools designed to optimize icon selection and asset management for developers and designers. This rollout marks a major upgrade to the platform's infrastructure, aimed at improving workflow efficiency and visual consistency across projects. [ This image cannot be displayed. Please visit the source: ] New AI features make icon work easier. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: The update includes enhancements to Icons8's flagship features such as the Smart Upscaler, Background Remover, and a redesigned Image-Based Icon Search. These tools are now powered by upgraded AI models, offering faster performance, improved accuracy, and broader file support across desktop and mobile workflows. 'Streamlining icon and asset selection remains a core challenge in design workflows,' said Ivan Braun, Founder of Icons8. 'These updates help solve that problem at scale, reducing time spent on manual adjustments and supporting more unified design systems.' A Cohesive Asset Ecosystem In addition to the AI updates, Icons8 now offers access to over 1.42 million graphic assets organized into more than 45 visually consistent icon families. Each family maintains unified stroke weights, proportions, and stylistic elements, helping teams avoid the mismatched visuals common in many digital products. The company also reported growth in enterprise usage and educational partnerships, driven by its REST API and Figma plugin integrations, which allow seamless access to assets within development and design environments. Scalable Solutions for Teams of All Sizes The upgraded platform supports a wide range of users, including: Icons8's new features are now live and available globally via its web platform and supported design plugins. About Icons8 Icons8 is a design asset platform offering millions of icons, illustrations, photos, and music tracks. With plugin integrations, APIs, and AI-driven tools, Icons8 helps teams streamline design workflows, maintain consistency, and build visually cohesive digital products. For more information, visit Media Contact Company Name: Icons8 Contact Person: Ivan Braun Email: [email protected] Address: 4023 Kennett Pike #59970 Country: United States To view the source version of this press release, please visit
Sustainability Times
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- Sustainability Times
'They Built a Cruise Missile for $150K': Lockheed's New CMMT Drones Shock Defense Industry With Unmatched Power and Price
IN A NUTSHELL 🚀 Lockheed Martin has introduced the Common Multi-Mission Truck (CMMT), a low-cost vehicle designed for diverse payloads and military applications. has introduced the Common Multi-Mission Truck (CMMT), a low-cost vehicle designed for diverse payloads and military applications. 🛠️ The system includes two versions: the unpowered glide vehicle CMMT-D and the motorized CMMT-X , each with unique launch capabilities. and the motorized , each with unique launch capabilities. 💡 Lockheed employs advanced digital design techniques to accelerate development and production, enhancing efficiency and adaptability. to accelerate development and production, enhancing efficiency and adaptability. 🌟 The CMMT's adaptable architecture positions it as a potential asset for future military programs like the Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Lockheed Martin's recent announcement regarding its development of the Common Multi-Mission Truck (CMMT) system has sent ripples through the defense industry. This innovative, low-cost vehicle, designed to carry a variety of payloads, signals a significant shift in military technology. With its recent successful tests, Lockheed is positioning the CMMT as a game-changer in the realm of standoff munitions. This article delves into the details of the CMMT system, its capabilities, and its potential impact on the military landscape. The CMMT-D and CMMT-X: A New Era of Low-Cost Munitions The CMMT system comprises two distinct versions: the CMMT-D and the CMMT-X. The CMMT-D, an unpowered glide vehicle, is designed for deployment from cargo aircraft using a pallet system, while the CMMT-X, equipped with a motor, launches from the bottom of a smaller aircraft. These designs reflect Lockheed Martin's emphasis on affordability and versatility. The CMMT-D boasts a range of about 500 nautical miles, making it a formidable option for diverse military applications. In contrast, the CMMT-X, with a range of 350 nautical miles, focuses on flexibility and rapid deployment. Both vehicles underscore Lockheed's commitment to revolutionizing military tactics by providing cost-effective, scalable solutions. The introduction of these vehicles aligns with a growing military demand for low-cost standoff munitions. Lockheed's innovative approach integrates different launch methods, including pylon-launched, pallet-launched, and vertical launch variations. Notably, the CMMT-D is anticipated to have a unit cost of approximately $150,000, which is strikingly affordable compared to the high-end AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Missile. This affordability allows for mass production and deployment, offering a strategic advantage by enabling the military to maintain a robust arsenal without incurring prohibitive costs. 'Terrifying Death Ray Unleashed!': China's Laser Mosquito Defense System Annihilates 30 Bloodthirsty Pests Every Second, Astonishing Global Scientists Innovative Testing and Deployment Techniques Lockheed Martin's testing of the CMMT-D and CMMT-X vehicles has demonstrated the practical application of these systems. The CMMT-D was dropped from a Rapid Dragon-type pallet cell, simulating a parachute descent from a fixed-wing airlifter. This method mirrors the Air Force's recent use of pallets for deploying munitions from cargo aircraft. In a recent test, the CMMT-D successfully deployed its wings and executed an unpowered glide to the surface, marking a significant milestone in affordable cruise missile deployment. The CMMT-X, on the other hand, was launched from a pylon under a Piper Navajo turboprop. After separation, the vehicle deployed its wings, and its engine ignited for powered flight. This achievement highlights Lockheed's ability to rapidly transition from concept design to real-world application. Notably, the CMMT-X is a direct descendant of the 2020 'SPEED RACER' concept, which explored expendable systems. This lineage emphasizes the company's commitment to leveraging past innovations to expedite the development of new technologies. Total Shock in the Energy World: This Tesla Rival Just Moved to Take Over a Wind Blade Titan With Its Robot Army Digital Innovations in Design and Production Lockheed Martin's development process for the CMMT vehicles has been accelerated by digital design techniques. These methods have allowed the company to reduce the time from concept to preliminary design review significantly. Lockheed noted that it completed the design review for the CMMTs in half the usual time, facilitated by prior work on the SPEED RACER project. This digital approach not only expedites the development timeline but also enhances the potential for scalable production. The use of digital methods underscores Lockheed's strategic focus on efficiency and adaptability. By integrating advanced digital tools into the design process, Lockheed is setting a new standard for rapid technology deployment. This approach not only benefits the company's current projects but also positions it as a leader in the development of future military technologies. The CMMT system exemplifies how digital innovation can drive progress in defense applications, enabling the military to respond swiftly to evolving threats. 'This Solar Ship Is the Future of River Travel,' Declares Visionary Engineer as 192 Sun-Powered Panels Drive the World's First Inland Marvel Future Implications and Potential Applications The CMMT system's successful testing positions it as a potential asset for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. Although the Air Force has not finalized the characteristics for the next phase of the CCA program, Lockheed's flight-tested design and developed architecture could be quickly adapted to meet emerging requirements. This adaptability is crucial as military technology evolves to address new challenges. Lockheed's focus on low-cost, scalable solutions aligns with broader defense industry trends. As the military seeks to enhance its capabilities while managing budget constraints, systems like the CMMT offer a viable pathway to achieving these goals. By emphasizing affordability and rapid deployment, Lockheed is not only meeting current demands but also anticipating future needs. As Lockheed continues to innovate and refine its technologies, the question remains: How will the integration of such systems reshape the future of military operations and strategic planning? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (26)
CBC
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Halfcase: How these Gen Z creatives have custom-designed their work lives
Duo tries for an analogue feel from digital designs If you attended any Lawnya Vawnya events at the Ship Pub this year, you may have been surprised to see the stage designed like the rec rooms of your childhood. A dart board, a foam finger from a Jays game, a cribbage board shaped like the map of Newfoundland, band posters affixed with strips of masking tape adorned a panel board backdrop. The design was the brainchild of Isobel McKenna and Jacob Cherwick, two young creatives known collectively as "halfcase." "The whole idea was to make it feel like you were walking into somebody's suburban basement," said Cherwick. "It's not necessarily supposed to look like it's from a [specific] time in the past, but it's supposed to look like a place that's filled with a lot of stuff from the past." Despite their young ages — both were born in the late 1990s — the duo brings a broad range of skills and experience to their design agency. They have worked together creatively for about five years, working with more than a dozen local artists, artisans, and music groups. Their service offerings include music production services for local bands with diverse music styles ranging from folk to punk and hip hop. They also design album cover art, tour posters, brand logos, and apparel art. "We're both of an age where we experienced a lot of those places as kids, maybe they don't exist anymore, those basements with all that stuff in them," said McKenna. "I bet a lot of people attending and playing at Lawnya Vawnya feel similarly or would recognize what we're doing with it." Their Lawnya Vawnya stage design at The Ship is their largest project to date, encompassing the concept and physical staging, as well as graphic design elements like custom posters that were integrated among the vintage artifacts. "A lot of design studios … do graphic design in-house, and maybe they publish books and have a printing facility as well," said McKenna, whose background includes studies in environmental design at OCAD University, and a strong interest in architecture and interior design. Cherwick, perhaps most recognizable as a member of the Ukrainian-style folk band Kubasonics, estimates that he plays with about 10 different local bands in any given year. He believes the generalist approach in creative services is desirable in the arts industry. "People are under pressure to get things finished quickly. Even if you're making music, it still needs a strong visual component and content you can share online," he said. Digital services with an analog aesthetic An older adult might recognize a sense of nostalgia in that rec room stage design, but aren't a pair of Gen Z artists too young to experience nostalgia? McKenna believes her generation, even people younger than her, have an appreciation for images and objects of the past. "There's a lot of interest in older aesthetics. Those things are seen as kind of more real and genuine than more internet-focused aesthetics," she said. Cherwick said it's a "20-year trend cycle," acknowledging the adage that everything old is new again, but this time with a twist. "There's also right now a really big focus on late '90s, early 2000s imagery and aesthetics, just as the last era right before smartphones and easily accessible internet took over the world and reshaped the way everyone lives," he said. As halfcase, the pair seems to negotiate between the internet-era and a more analog lifestyle. Because most of their work is digital, they work without the costly overhead of more conventional creative agencies. McKenna believes their work-from-home approach enhances their collaborative spirit. "We're both working in our office on opposite sides of the room at the same time," she said. "So we're talking about it all at the same time, too." The halfcase team has recently been developing a logo and brand design for a local artisanal food supplier, as well as a t-shirt design for the Petty Harbour Community Museum. Beyond their design work, both Cherwick and McKenna play in the punk band Sick Puppy, who are preparing to record an album of original music this summer. "We're always trying to find a new thing," said Cherwick. For the future, the pair hopes to broaden the scope of their work beyond the arts industry. "We're still working mostly within the arts community, but we're hoping to push out of that a bit more and do some work with other businesses or brands or people that might need design work or some kind of artistic eye for whatever they're doing."
