Get to the root; then bridge the gap

Coming in hot 🔥 with this week's design newsletter, here are a few things to take with you into the weekend.

Reflections

On a walk this week, I saw construction workers redoing the front steps of a grey stone unit in the city. I don't know precisely what they were doing, but they were using shovels to dig out what looked like the giant root of a tree. At first, I had a lot of feelings about tearing up nature, but my desire for beautiful stairs washed those feelings away, and I began to just think about the renovation cost. To upgrade, sometimes you must dig at the root of particular circumstances and situations to make adequate space for better things.

Based on the additional tools on the premises, let's assume they were setting up to pour a concrete foundation for the stairs. That root was immense; I can see how its size and position posed a severe problem for this. The roots will rot if not connected to the tree and no longer bring in nutrients. Even if they're deep it's better to get after it, and all of it, now than simply build on top of it. Will doing so take longer? Yeah. But I think there's something to make of the patience it'll bring. It seems the perfect time to reflect on how the root got there. While working, you can joyously anticipate new stairs and new beginnings.

Post of the week

There's this TikTok of a cheerleading squad using pompoms to spell out the name of their mascot. The execution and design were flawless. I was particularly interested in the moments when the cheerleaders had to hide the pompoms they weren't using. Take a look and tell me what you think.

Design inspiration

My neighborhood is covered in stickers and posters. On a short walk, you'll find everything from concert and restaurant QR code stickers to unique blobs that turn poles into faces. I'm always so inspired by them!

Last week I decided I should start a blog and create my own digital "corner of the sky." I looked into my options for self-hosting a site for freedom and flexibility. Though I knew very little about self-hosting a blog, I figured it would be something fun to try. Turns out Ubuntu is the name of a Linux operating system you can use to self-host a blog. Imagine my surprise walking past the sign with this sticker. Immediately, I knew a blog was for me, and the negative thoughts were just a distraction. So, shout out to this sticker!

Did you know?

I stumbled upon The Negro Yearbook, a yearly publication by the Tuskegee Institute. Between 1917 and 1952, ten editions were published, chronicling everything from “The Problems Connected with the use of the Negro in the World War” and “The Negro’s Economic Progress.” When time permits, I just read through a few pages, as I always learn something new and exciting. Did you know in 1920, Hobert Dunn of Chicago, Il, patented a toy airplane for children? According to the Negro Yearbook, it functioned similarly to large planes.