Eight intriguing articles from November.

From cracking the code on designing web forms to exploring why Google Search is having a real man in the mirror moment, this month's resident Super8 DJ, Kurt Smith, is looking to pack a punch.

We get that November can be a final dash to the finish line, a heads down and nose to the grindstone sort of vibe. But why not come up for air and find some fresh perspectives for the coming new year? We're unapologetically energised about the potential for major change and fresh perspectives in web design come 2025, and articles like these help give us some guidance on where to focus our attention next.

Sound intriguing? Scroll on and dig in. But don't drop out.

1. Designing for multiple narratives.

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• Read the full article here.
• Created by: Douglas Ross & Elliott Grigg.
• Contributed by: Elliott Grigg.

Strong storytelling in web design means thinking about all the ways people might interact with a brand, whether they come through search, a social post, or a QR code. Every person’s journey is different—some need quick answers, others want a deeper story, and they aren't all entering through the front door. The challenge lies in creating something that feels seamless no matter how they get there. Writing for the latest SoDA report and in collaboration with WIX Studio, Elliott and Doug share practical tips on how a 'no wrong door' approach can help in crafting an exceptional user experience.

2. Beautiful focus outlines.

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• Read the full article here.
• Created by: Thomas Günther.
• Contributed by: Kurt Smith.

Focus outlines are essential for accessibility, allowing keyboard users and those with motor impairments to navigate websites effectively. Despite their importance, they’re often overlooked or removed for aesthetic reasons. By treating focus outlines as a core design element, they can not only align with the visual style of a site but enhance it and your site's usability.

3. How to unlock product success through growth design.

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• Read the full article here.
• Created by: Kate Syuma.
• Contributed by: Sarah El-Atm.

Founder of Growthmates and a Growth Advisor, Kate Syuma is the right person to ask about the subtle dance between business growth and usability in product design. In fact, she's coined the phrase 'Growth design'. This discipline focuses on crafting experiences that not only delight users but also drive metrics like acquisition, activation, and retention. In this piece, she runs through how an understanding of behavioural psychology, adopting a data-driven mindset, and embracing rapid iteration allows designers to align their work with business goals while maintaining usability. Growth designers can be the secret weapons of modern product teams, breaking silos and unleashing a potent mix of creativity, strategy, and data to transform usability into unstoppable momentum.

4. 11 HTML best practices for login & sign-up forms.

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• Read the full article here.
• Created by: Andrey Sitnik.
• Contributed by: Sergio Moreira.

If you’ve ever struggled with a frustrating login or sign-up process, you know how important it is to get it right. Many websites still make basic mistakes in their forms, affecting security and user experience. This article dives into 11 simple yet powerful ways to improve your forms, from making them more secure with password-less logins to enhancing accessibility and usability. Whether you’re designing a new site or refining an existing one, these best practices will help you create a smoother, safer, and more user-friendly experience for everyone.

5. How to calculate the cost of bad candidate experiences.

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• Read the full article here.
• Created by: Jan Tegze.
• Contributed by: Simon Hedt.

The recruitment process goes beyond just hiring; it shapes how candidates perceive your company and impacts your long-term success. A bad candidate experience can harm your brand, deter top talent, and even affect sales. In fact, research shows that dissatisfied candidates are likely to discourage others from applying or even shift their loyalty to competitors. This article breaks down how much a poor candidate experience can cost, using real-world examples like Virgin Media, which lost millions due to negative experiences. Simple actions like timely feedback and clear communication can prevent these costs, improving both your reputation and your bottom line.

6. The fragmentation of search: Why search and discovery just isn’t the same anymore.

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• Read the full article here.
• Created by: Nicole Li.
• Contributed by: Doug Ross.

When 51% of Gen Z are choosing TikTok over Google, it might be time to rethink your marketing, and in fact rethink a lot of things. Brands are finding themselves in the midst of what looks like the SearchWars, driven by a 'fragmentation of search'. There's no doubt Google took its eye off the ball when it came to what people wanted from search, such as specificity and relevance. But LLM's and AI seem to have come at just the right time for Google to embed relevant and spefic results back into the search experience, and maybe even a touch of delight; but here Nicole Li explores how and why the horse may have already bolted. Note: free subscription required to read.

7. Hand tracking for mouse input.

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• Read the full article here.
• Created by: Reynaldi Chernando.
• Contributed by: Timocles Copland.

Check out this innovative way to control a computer mouse using just hand movements, inspired by devices like the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest. By tracking finger positions, the system can move the cursor and even detect clicks with a pinch. While the first mode works smoothly, the second, which allows users to point at the screen to control the mouse, still has some challenges like jittery movements and drifting. It’s a fascinating look into the potential of hand tracking, with real-world solutions and plenty of room for improvement.

8. Woah, opacity! A full guide to this badass hero of efficient UI design.

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• Read the full article here.
• Created by: Arthur Objartel, Roman Shamin, Travis Turner.
• Contributed by: Stefan Imbesi.

If you're looking to cut down on design complexity without compromising flexibility, embracing transparent colours is a game-changer. Transparent colours can transform your design process by simplifying workflows and reducing the need for multiple styles. Whether it's making buttons more adaptable to various backgrounds or ensuring seamless theme customisation, opacity offers an efficient solution. This approach not only streamlines states like hover and pressed, but also works perfectly for borders, adjusting effortlessly to light and dark modes.