438: Dissecting Substack’s Podcast Player

438: Dissecting Substack’s Podcast Player

Author: Brian Lovin, Marshall Bock May 6, 2022 Duration: 39:18

This week, we dissect Substack’s new podcast player design, talking about both the pixels and the strategic advantage of sharing craft-specific content on Twitter. In the Sidebar, we talk about the nature and risks of critiquing software as podcasters and design practitioners.

Supported by:

Zeplin recently shipped Flows!

Flows are a fast/effortless way to create and outline user flows and journeys. Designers can use flows to connect screens in seconds and map complete user journeys, showing not just the happy path but all possible paths and behaviors.

All you need to do is add screens you want in a flow, then add a connector which will snap into place to connect screens or design elements. You even add a label to clarify edge cases or error paths.

As you publish new versions of designs, your flows and connectors will get updated automatically as screens change.

The Sidebar:

The Sidebar is an exclusive weekly segment for our Patreon supporters. You can subscribe starting at $1 per month for access to bonus content going forward! Sign up at patreon.com/designdetails.

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Main Topic:

This week, we dissect Substack’s new podcast player design, talking about both the pixels and the strategic advantage of sharing craft-specific content on Twitter.

Job Board:

We're curating the best product design roles from the world's most design-forward companies.

👉 Design Details Job Board

Mercury is hiring product designers! Mercury powers the banking stack for companies like Linear, Maven & Mighty. Join them to build beautiful software for founders. Learn about the remote-friendly team & roles at https://mercury.design — disclaimer: Mercury is a financial technology company that works with banks.

Current is on a mission to help people create better financial outcomes for their lives, and they’re hiring a talented senior mobile product designer with great visual design and UX skills. You’ll be involved in the full product development cycle: from early research and product strategy, to design and developer hand-off.

Patreon is building the future of the creative economy, and they’re looking for Product Designers at all levels to solve the needs of creators and members on our platform. Their roles are based in SF and NY.

Raycast makes it simple, fast and delightful to control your tools. They’re looking for an experienced individual to join their small team to redesign and improve core app functionality, tools to enable Developers to create new Extensions, and rethink components across the platform.

Cool Things:

  • Brian shared Tweetbot, a fantastic third-party Twitter app that takes some time to get used to, but is well worth it for a more peaceful user experience.
  • Marshall shared NFC sticker tags, a handy way to trigger events around your smart home, track the things you’re doing, or...anything else you can dream up!

Design Details on the Web:

Byeee!


Every week, Brian Lovin and Marshall Bock settle in for a thoughtful, often meandering chat that pulls back the curtain on how things are made. Their Design Details podcast lives in the rich space where technology and the arts intersect, focusing less on polished case studies and more on the real, sometimes messy, work of design. You’ll hear them dissect the nuances of product decisions, debate the evolving culture of creative teams, and share personal stories from their own experiences in the industry. It feels less like a lecture and more like eavesdropping on a conversation between two deeply knowledgeable friends. The discussions regularly venture into the philosophical side of craft, examining why certain choices resonate and how design shapes our daily interactions with the world. For anyone curious about the thinking behind the pixels and interfaces, this show offers a consistent, grounded perspective. Tuning in provides a sense of community and a candid look at the process, making it a staple for designers and creators who appreciate substance over flash.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Design Details
Podcast Episodes
393: The Not-So-Humble Button [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:21
This week, we talk about the hidden complexities of a designer’s favorite element: the button. In the Sidebar, we examine interfaces that defer moderation responsibilities onto the end user.Golden Ratio Supporter:AroundT…
392: Becoming a Strategic Designer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:06
This week, we talk about how to become a more strategic designer: what should you be doing day to day, or thinking about more often? In The Sidebar, we talk about the downsides of using metaphors to describe the role of…
391: Portfolio Review Tips for Senior Designers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:50
This week, we share tips and best practices for senior designers who are presenting their work in a portfolio review. In The Sidebar, we break down the qualities of great typographic hierarchy in interface design.Golden…
390: Building Design Infrastructure ft. Kathryn Gonzalez [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:39
This week, we catch up with Kathryn Gonzalez, the Head of Design Infrastructure at DoorDash. We talk about building DoorDash’s first design system, how to scale a design systems team, balancing technical and design skill…
389: Better Design Reviews [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:47
This week, we talk about how to have better design reviews. Who, what, where, and when? We share our experiences, and frustrations, with certain formats and processes. In The Sidebar, we try to answer the question: WTF i…
388: Design Tips and Tricks, Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:34
This week, we cover part two of our design tips and tricks series. We talk about naming conventions, thinking in divs, structuring frames, and share a few Figma pro-tips. In The Sidebar, we talk about design content over…
387: Design Craft Tips & Tricks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:59
This week, we dig into specific tips and tricks to level up your craft game: how to leverage tools to make faster iterations, stay organized, and allow your mocks to easily scale over time. In The Sidebar, we dig into ho…
386: Designing with Grid Systems [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:52
This week, we talk about designing with grid systems. In particular: when grid systems break, and what to do when they don’t align with our hardware screens perfectly. In The Sidebar, we talk all about design debt: how t…
385: Raising Your Team’s UI Bar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:32
This week, we talk about strategies and tactical tips for elevating a team’s bar to design high quality interfaces. In The Sidebar, we talk about how to transition from web to mobile design.Golden Ratio Supporter:A huge…
384: Finding Time for North Star Design [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:38
This week, we talk about the real struggle of finding the time to do North Star design. It’s complicated! In The Sidebar, we try to find the digital equivalent of a Norman Door.Golden Ratio Supporter:A huge shoutout to C…