UI UX

Writing about pages that people actually want to read

Let’s be honest—most “About” pages are boring. They’re filled with stiff bios, vague mission statements, and timelines no one asked for. But the truth is, the About page is often one of the most visited parts of a website. People click on it because they’re curious. They want to know who’s behind the brand, what you stand for, and whether they can trust you. If all they get is a wall of text or corporate speak, they’ll bounce. Fast.

Make It Personal, Make It Useful
A great About page feels like a conversation, not a pitch. Talk about what led you to start what you’re doing—but keep it relevant. Tie your story back to your audience: how does your background help them? What do you believe in? What makes you different? Add some personality. A photo, a few behind-the-scenes details, or a story that shows your values can go a long way.
And don’t forget the basics: who you are, what you do, where you’re based (if relevant), and how people can connect with you next. If someone finishes your About page feeling like they get you—that’s a win.
Avoid the Fluff, Focus on Connection
Skip the jargon and “passion for excellence” lines. They don’t mean much. Instead, write like a real person. Keep the tone conversational and simple—imagine explaining what you do to someone you just met at a coffee shop. If humor or quirkiness is part of your brand, let it shine. If you’re more serious or mission-driven, stay grounded in authenticity. Real connection comes from being relatable. Share challenges, turning points, or lessons learned along the way. These human moments are what make your story memorable—and help people trust you.
Guide the Reader, Don’t Leave Them Hanging

Once someone connects with your story, what should they do next? Add a simple call to action at the end of the page. That could be inviting them to view your work, sign up for your newsletter, or get in touch. Your About page shouldn’t just inform—it should guide.

In the end, writing a strong About page is less about showing off credentials and more about showing up as you. When done right, it builds trust, loyalty, and turns visitors into fans.

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Fresh design trends to watch this year

Every year brings a new wave of creativity in the world of design, and this one is no different. As digital spaces continue to evolve, designers are leaning into bold experimentation, thoughtful minimalism, and immersive user experiences. One major trend gaining traction is neo-brutalism, a style that embraces raw, unpolished visuals with bold typography, high contrast, and asymmetrical layouts. It’s a reaction to overly polished interfaces, bringing a sense of authenticity and visual tension. Alongside this, claymorphism and 3D elements are making a comeback—offering a soft, tactile feel that adds depth and playfulness to UI. These styles help brands stand out by creating a more human, engaging look.

Another key trend is the use of microinteractions and purposeful motion. Designers are using subtle animations to guide users, improve usability, and inject personality into interfaces—without overwhelming the experience. At the same time, AI tools are being used to speed up workflows and generate design suggestions, freeing designers to focus more on concept and strategy. We’re also seeing a continued push for accessible, inclusive design, with WCAG standards influencing everything from color choices to navigation patterns. In short, 2025 is about designing smarter, with a focus on clarity, personality, and user-first thinking—blending innovation with intentionality.

Highlighting the fresh design trends to watch this year:

Neo-Brutalism

Raw, unpolished visuals with bold typography, high contrast, and asymmetrical layouts. It embraces authenticity and breaks away from overly polished designs.

Claymorphism & 3D Elements

Soft, tactile shapes with shadows and depth that create a playful, engaging user interface. Great for adding personality and a human touch to digital products.

Microinteractions & Purposeful Motion

Subtle animations that guide users, enhance usability, and add personality without being distracting.

AI-Enhanced Design Tools

Tools that help designers generate ideas, automate tasks, and speed up workflows—letting them focus more on creativity and strategy.

These trends reflect a move toward more expressive, human-centered digital experiences in 2025—where innovation meets thoughtful design.

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How I turn UI designs into functional websites

Every great website starts with a great design—but turning that static design into a fast, interactive, and user-friendly website takes careful planning and technical skill. As a front-end developer, my role is to bridge the gap between what the designer envisions and what the user experiences in the browser. Here’s how I approach the transformation from UI design to a fully functional website.

Turning UI Designs into Functional Websites
Translating UI designs into functional websites is both a technical process and a creative endeavor. It starts with a careful analysis of the design files—whether in Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch. I break down the layout, spacing, colors, typography, and component behavior to understand the designer’s intent. From there, I structure the HTML to reflect the visual hierarchy, ensuring semantic correctness for accessibility and SEO. Simultaneously, I begin writing CSS (or using a framework like Tailwind or SCSS) to style the elements, matching the design pixel by pixel. Responsive behavior is also mapped out, often through media queries or CSS grid/flexbox strategies, to make the site work seamlessly across devices.
From Static to Interactive
Once the structure and styles are in place, I focus on bringing the UI to life with interactivity. This means using JavaScript or a framework like React or Vue to handle dynamic elements—think sliders, dropdowns, form validation, and API integrations. I pay attention to animation details and micro-interactions, often using libraries like GSAP or Framer Motion if needed. Performance and usability testing come next, ensuring the site not only looks like the design but behaves intuitively. By the end of the process, what began as a flat design is now a polished, functional product—ready to engage users across devices and platforms. It’s a satisfying transformation that blends creativity with logic, and it’s one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
By the end of the process, what began as a flat design is now a polished, functional product—ready to engage users across devices and platforms. It’s a satisfying transformation that blends creativity with logic, and it’s one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
As we build for a world filled with smart assistants and augmented layers, these principles remind us: great design isn’t just future-forward—it’s human-first.

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Dark vs. Light Mode: What to consider before you choose

Dark mode has become more than just a trend — it’s now a common feature in digital products and websites. But how do you decide whether dark or light mode is the right choice for your project? Beyond aesthetics, the decision can affect user experience, accessibility, and even brand perception.

Before committing to a design direction, here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. User Preference Matters

People love control. Offering a toggle between light and dark modes can enhance UX by giving users the flexibility to choose what’s most comfortable for their eyes or environment.

2. Consider the Content

Dark mode works beautifully for visual-heavy content (like portfolios or media sites), but it can strain readability if your site is content-driven. Long-form text often benefits from light backgrounds and high contrast.

It is in the contrast of light and dark that design happens.

Helen Van Wyk

American painter, author and art instructor
Consistency across your UI is key. If you go dark, make sure elements like buttons, icons, and illustrations are adjusted accordingly — it’s not just about flipping the background color.

Another important factor is your brand identity. Light and dark modes can evoke very different emotions. A dark theme might feel sleek and modern, while a light one feels open and clean. Think about what aligns best with your voice, audience, and message.

When done thoughtfully, offering both modes can create a more inclusive, personalized experience. Just remember: it’s not about choosing the trendiest option — it’s about supporting your users the best way possible.

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