The Observatory Newsletter
Come for the inspiration, stay for the joy. Curated by Design Observer editors and contributors for our community of more than 20,000 makers, thinkers, leaders, and wayfinders, this weekly roundup features essays, news, opinion, global insights, and pithy observations on design and life. It’s guaranteed to stir the creative spirit.
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Ellen McGirt|Conversations
"Design addresses itself to the need."
We asked, you answered. How your feedback is shaping Design Observer’s future.
Delaney Rebernik|Analysis
A story of bad experiential design
From the Sad Oompa Loompa to Trump’s America by Design site, we explore how bad experiential design reveals power, control, and cultural stakes.
Ellen McGirt|Essays
Lessons in wandering
Explore the lessons in wandering, how small gestures, humility, and human connection shape meaningful travel experiences.
Sameedha Mahajan|Design and Climate Change
The airport as borderland: gateways for some, barriers for others
Airports promise freedom of movement for many, but for those displaced, they can become prisons. Designing for these liminal spaces means tapping into their potential not just for streamlined travel, but also for sanctuary.
Alexis Haut|Analysis
"Pay us what you owe us"
WNBA players demand pay equity, turning t-shirts into bold protest billboards. Discover how fashion fuels the fight for fairness in sports.
Delaney Rebernik
Your (A)ttent(I)on, please
GenAI art is enlivening the search for Mexico’s disappeared.
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