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Illusion of perfection — how clean lines are clouding UX design

Mural madness & Figma folly: When Design is art for art’s sake

Kem-Laurin Lubin, Ph.D-C
15 min readDec 13, 2023

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“Art is not a mirror held up to reality but a hammer with which to shape it.” — Bertolt Brecht

Alright, let’s unpack one of the hot topics in UX design circles today - what I refer to as the 'Figma and Mural Mirage.' It’s important to note that by mentioning these products, I’m not targeting these tools specifically; they simply represent a broader category of similar tools driving a common trend in design. These platforms are often associated with a particular style of UX design that’s currently popular: sleek, clean, and visually appealing. However, this raises a crucial question: Are we becoming overly focused on aesthetics at the expense of functionality and depth? It’s akin to judging a book by its cover, but in the realm of design. Moreover, with UX layoffs reaching historic highs, it prompts me to wonder - what’s really happening?

Source (indeed) — UX job listings have dropped in 2023

This question applies not only at a superficial level but also in terms of work production. Let's explore this together…

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Kem-Laurin Lubin, Ph.D-C
Kem-Laurin Lubin, Ph.D-C

Written by Kem-Laurin Lubin, Ph.D-C

A Tech Humanist, I write about society, culture, technology, education, & AI. Additionally, I am a villager at heart.

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