The startups I met last week had a truly encouraging common trait: a designer in the founding or core team. Another commonality: many were carried away by adding another shiny new feature, an interactive element or that extra on-boarding screen. Few were razor sharp in their focus. The lure of the next wow add-on is high—how do we stick to the essentials? Here are a few reads I thought might help.

Unsplash design dispatch: How we roll out new features

Unsplash is starkly minimal and an essential resource for all who are looking for "stock images that don't suck". A sneak-peek into their feature rollout process. And yes, dispatch can be spelt as despatch too ;)

"Think Different" is Bad Advice

"Different (or originality) isn't the goal, better is". One of my favourite maxims from Adobe's design bible: 57 Things. And this post from Nir Eyal (author of Hooked: How to build habit forming products) explains why.

Niche to Win, Baby.

The one in which Dave McClure reminds us: "don’t go big or go home. Go small..."

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Non-Design

The Risk Not Taken

"If you can’t decide what to do, get on the road. You won’t find the answer. It will find you." 

A highly recommended read from the founder of Bonobos. And if your were worried about career risks in the startup world—here's a VC friend you can ask.

Event

5 [avoidable] Design Mistakes Startups Make!

Saturday, Aug 6th | Free | Bangalore - Just like it says on the cover, a short talk (by yours truly) followed by discussions on how can startups can best leverage on design in the early stages of their life. Hosted by DCID - the Deccan Centre for Innovation & Design in Central Bangalore.  

See you at DCID, or next week—as always links to inspiring, actionable reads/talks/events appreciated.@jdallcaps @SAIFpartners