Stef Walter
@stephaniewalter.bsky.social
UX Researcher & Designer, Empathy Peddler, Figma Prisoner, Button Mover. Don't take me too seriously.
She/Her 🌈
https://stephaniewalter.design/ http://neurospicy.agency/
She/Her 🌈
https://stephaniewalter.design/ http://neurospicy.agency/
I'm talking about my journey in enterprise UX in a private meetup this week: the methods I use to improve complex products, my research and design process.
Here's my honest process. Acknowledging the fear of complexity, is, part of it. An important part.
Here's my honest process. Acknowledging the fear of complexity, is, part of it. An important part.
February 12, 2026 at 1:31 PM
I'm talking about my journey in enterprise UX in a private meetup this week: the methods I use to improve complex products, my research and design process.
Here's my honest process. Acknowledging the fear of complexity, is, part of it. An important part.
Here's my honest process. Acknowledging the fear of complexity, is, part of it. An important part.
The open source design stack if you are tired of every design tool ridding the AI slope, or just need open source alternatives, here is a goldmine of open source alternatives for research, prototyping and collaboration, with Penpot and HTML/CSS at the heart of a saner design stack. By Scott Riley
The open source design stack
Scott Riley tested free and open source design tools out when researching his course, Mindful Design. They actually worked out better than Figma ever could, as he explains in this article with loads of options for you.
piccalil.li
February 12, 2026 at 8:30 AM
The open source design stack if you are tired of every design tool ridding the AI slope, or just need open source alternatives, here is a goldmine of open source alternatives for research, prototyping and collaboration, with Penpot and HTML/CSS at the heart of a saner design stack. By Scott Riley
Testing accessibility issues at components level is a good first step to make your product accessible.
Hidde De Vries shares 5 quick tests you can run:
- test component keyboard accessibility
Hidde De Vries shares 5 quick tests you can run:
- test component keyboard accessibility
5 accessibility checks to run on every component - zeroheight
Hidde de Vries explains how to test components for accessibility, from keyboard support to screen readers and zoom.
zeroheight.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Testing accessibility issues at components level is a good first step to make your product accessible.
Hidde De Vries shares 5 quick tests you can run:
- test component keyboard accessibility
Hidde De Vries shares 5 quick tests you can run:
- test component keyboard accessibility
You should always read the small prints. Always...
Some fun illustrations of frogs, on a rainy day (at least in Luxembourg), by Jaunty Art
Bluesky: @caveatfrogs.bsky.social
Instagram: www.instagram.com/caveatfrogs
Some fun illustrations of frogs, on a rainy day (at least in Luxembourg), by Jaunty Art
Bluesky: @caveatfrogs.bsky.social
Instagram: www.instagram.com/caveatfrogs
February 11, 2026 at 8:30 AM
You should always read the small prints. Always...
Some fun illustrations of frogs, on a rainy day (at least in Luxembourg), by Jaunty Art
Bluesky: @caveatfrogs.bsky.social
Instagram: www.instagram.com/caveatfrogs
Some fun illustrations of frogs, on a rainy day (at least in Luxembourg), by Jaunty Art
Bluesky: @caveatfrogs.bsky.social
Instagram: www.instagram.com/caveatfrogs
Not very important question for people who listen to audiobooks (or use text to speech/ screen reader to read): do you also listen x1.5 to x2 during the day while you work, clean, workout but x1.2 only when you read to fall asleep? I'm curious now.
February 10, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Not very important question for people who listen to audiobooks (or use text to speech/ screen reader to read): do you also listen x1.5 to x2 during the day while you work, clean, workout but x1.2 only when you read to fall asleep? I'm curious now.
Today, I want to share a fun 404 page: @elle.email's page with a cute little game. The rest of the website is equally fun, don't forget to visit it as well!
ellesho.me/page/404
ellesho.me/page/404
February 10, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Today, I want to share a fun 404 page: @elle.email's page with a cute little game. The rest of the website is equally fun, don't forget to visit it as well!
ellesho.me/page/404
ellesho.me/page/404
We all know that person, who does the invisible work, who quietly coordinates and holds projects together. They sadly rarely get credit for it though. It’s hard to measure, and often overlooked. We need to find leaders who can see and reward this invisible work.
The Invisible Work
The coordination work that holds projects together disappears the moment it works. On the unfairness of recognition and finding leaders who see it anyway.
hvpandya.com
February 10, 2026 at 8:30 AM
We all know that person, who does the invisible work, who quietly coordinates and holds projects together. They sadly rarely get credit for it though. It’s hard to measure, and often overlooked. We need to find leaders who can see and reward this invisible work.
10 examples of how accessibility innovations like the typewriter, audiobooks, the typewriter, text-to-speech, online shopping, and touchscreens began as solutions for disabled people and evolved into mainstream products that benefit everyone.
Accessibility is the origin of human-centered design
Discover 10 human-centered innovations that started with real people’s needs and evolved into UX principles that is shaping today’s most inclusive products.
makeitfable.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:31 PM
10 examples of how accessibility innovations like the typewriter, audiobooks, the typewriter, text-to-speech, online shopping, and touchscreens began as solutions for disabled people and evolved into mainstream products that benefit everyone.
My curated weekly newsletter is out.
This week: how the same UI is perceived differently for disabled users, when sound improves UX, choosing the right list controls, plus data-viz inspiration and accessibility patterns.
👉🏻 stephaniewalter.design/blog/pixels-...
This week: how the same UI is perceived differently for disabled users, when sound improves UX, choosing the right list controls, plus data-viz inspiration and accessibility patterns.
👉🏻 stephaniewalter.design/blog/pixels-...
February 9, 2026 at 8:30 AM
My curated weekly newsletter is out.
This week: how the same UI is perceived differently for disabled users, when sound improves UX, choosing the right list controls, plus data-viz inspiration and accessibility patterns.
👉🏻 stephaniewalter.design/blog/pixels-...
This week: how the same UI is perceived differently for disabled users, when sound improves UX, choosing the right list controls, plus data-viz inspiration and accessibility patterns.
👉🏻 stephaniewalter.design/blog/pixels-...
A Sunday of dopamine decor: I put some of the little gems I collected, stickers, prints, postcards into 2 giant frames to put in the office.
Also, I made ramen with chicken broth that simmered for hours in spices and wine.
Also, I made ramen with chicken broth that simmered for hours in spices and wine.
February 8, 2026 at 8:33 PM
A Sunday of dopamine decor: I put some of the little gems I collected, stickers, prints, postcards into 2 giant frames to put in the office.
Also, I made ramen with chicken broth that simmered for hours in spices and wine.
Also, I made ramen with chicken broth that simmered for hours in spices and wine.
I gymrated too close to the sun and now I have ads for reformers. Aaaahhhh. I just wanted a pilates resistance band exercise to strengthen my back, what happened? Is this how they get you?
February 8, 2026 at 5:31 PM
I gymrated too close to the sun and now I have ads for reformers. Aaaahhhh. I just wanted a pilates resistance band exercise to strengthen my back, what happened? Is this how they get you?
Very niche question: anyone using Firefox and LanguageTool extension, noticed many freeze since last update? My Firefox uses 15GB of memory when the extension is enabled, vs 2.5GB when it's not. It also freezes when I write things (which makes sense since the extension is a proof reader tool)
February 8, 2026 at 1:55 PM
Very niche question: anyone using Firefox and LanguageTool extension, noticed many freeze since last update? My Firefox uses 15GB of memory when the extension is enabled, vs 2.5GB when it's not. It also freezes when I write things (which makes sense since the extension is a proof reader tool)
So, France wants to send a letter to 29 years old, to remind them about how their biological clock can affect fertility.
Meanwhile, endometriosis, which is a disease that touches 1/10 person with a uterus and usually has a strong negative effect on fertility, is barely studied?
Yeah, love the irony
Meanwhile, endometriosis, which is a disease that touches 1/10 person with a uterus and usually has a strong negative effect on fertility, is barely studied?
Yeah, love the irony
February 7, 2026 at 4:37 PM
So, France wants to send a letter to 29 years old, to remind them about how their biological clock can affect fertility.
Meanwhile, endometriosis, which is a disease that touches 1/10 person with a uterus and usually has a strong negative effect on fertility, is barely studied?
Yeah, love the irony
Meanwhile, endometriosis, which is a disease that touches 1/10 person with a uterus and usually has a strong negative effect on fertility, is barely studied?
Yeah, love the irony
Rah I wish I was the kind of person who can quote a 2010 study, and call it a day.
But my brain goes: it's been, 16 years ago, are those numbers still relevant?
So, anyone knows of some updated studies on cost of fixing defects, in design, dev, implementation, testing, post release?
But my brain goes: it's been, 16 years ago, are those numbers still relevant?
So, anyone knows of some updated studies on cost of fixing defects, in design, dev, implementation, testing, post release?
February 6, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Rah I wish I was the kind of person who can quote a 2010 study, and call it a day.
But my brain goes: it's been, 16 years ago, are those numbers still relevant?
So, anyone knows of some updated studies on cost of fixing defects, in design, dev, implementation, testing, post release?
But my brain goes: it's been, 16 years ago, are those numbers still relevant?
So, anyone knows of some updated studies on cost of fixing defects, in design, dev, implementation, testing, post release?
Reposted by Stef Walter
The inaugural edition of The CSS Selection is out! Super interesting look into how the top 100k sites use CSS.
I very happily sponsored Barts work on this, go check it out!
I very happily sponsored Barts work on this, go check it out!
Announcing The CSS Selection!
📰 www.projectwallace.com/the-css-sele...
📚 100,000 websites
⏱️ 100+ metrics
🔖 7 chapters
The biggest deep-dive ever into real-world use of CSS across the globe. Dive in and find out some hidden gems. Also, see how much of 'the new CSS' is actually used!
📰 www.projectwallace.com/the-css-sele...
📚 100,000 websites
⏱️ 100+ metrics
🔖 7 chapters
The biggest deep-dive ever into real-world use of CSS across the globe. Dive in and find out some hidden gems. Also, see how much of 'the new CSS' is actually used!
The CSS Selection - 2026 Edition - Project Wallace
The CSS Selection shows real-world CSS usage from over 100,000 websites and looks at the most important metrics.
www.projectwallace.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:37 AM
The inaugural edition of The CSS Selection is out! Super interesting look into how the top 100k sites use CSS.
I very happily sponsored Barts work on this, go check it out!
I very happily sponsored Barts work on this, go check it out!
"Create something before deciding on a solution. If people attempt to start projects with a solution, define the problem and scope first. Agree on working on the problem without committing to the solution."
How I do web design | Koos Looijesteijn
Thirty short, practical lessons
www.kooslooijesteijn.net
February 6, 2026 at 8:30 AM
"Create something before deciding on a solution. If people attempt to start projects with a solution, define the problem and scope first. Agree on working on the problem without committing to the solution."
We often call “dropdown” any list of vertical options. But there are different options on how to build those. Vitaly Friedman gives great form UX tips by to help you understand the difference, and when to use which. The goal is really to be consistent when talking with the people on your project.
Combobox vs. Multiselect vs. Listbox: How To Choose The Right One — Smashing Magazine
Combobox vs. Multi-Select vs. Listbox vs. Dual Listbox? How they are different, what purpose they serve, and how to choose the right one. Brought to you by Design Patterns For AI Interfaces, **friendly video courses on UX** and design patterns by Vitaly.
www.smashingmagazine.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:03 PM
We often call “dropdown” any list of vertical options. But there are different options on how to build those. Vitaly Friedman gives great form UX tips by to help you understand the difference, and when to use which. The goal is really to be consistent when talking with the people on your project.
Nest components, like buttons inside a clickable card, are always a tricky pattern. @ericwbailey.websiteBailey shows you how to make it work, with a couple of CSS lines, and semantic HTML, do not nest links within buttons!
Accessible faux-nested interactive controls
A really common user interface pattern is a big clickable area, such as a card. Sometimes you need controls within that card that are also clickable. There's lots of ways to do it wrong, but fret not, Eric is here to show you how to do it right.
piccalil.li
February 5, 2026 at 8:30 AM
Nest components, like buttons inside a clickable card, are always a tricky pattern. @ericwbailey.websiteBailey shows you how to make it work, with a couple of CSS lines, and semantic HTML, do not nest links within buttons!
Working theory: the Bridgerton boyz are orange cats. They share one brain cell. Benedict didn't have it when he asked her to be his Mistress.
That's the most plausible explanation. Sorry not sorry 😅
(Didn't read the books, apparently the timeline is longer in there so it makes more sense-ish?)
That's the most plausible explanation. Sorry not sorry 😅
(Didn't read the books, apparently the timeline is longer in there so it makes more sense-ish?)
February 4, 2026 at 11:11 PM
Working theory: the Bridgerton boyz are orange cats. They share one brain cell. Benedict didn't have it when he asked her to be his Mistress.
That's the most plausible explanation. Sorry not sorry 😅
(Didn't read the books, apparently the timeline is longer in there so it makes more sense-ish?)
That's the most plausible explanation. Sorry not sorry 😅
(Didn't read the books, apparently the timeline is longer in there so it makes more sense-ish?)
Reposted by Stef Walter
Another must-read by @stephaniewalter.bsky.social!
Discover how to design beyond the happy path in #designsystems, including...
👉 Design for technical states
👉 Design for flexibility across layouts and containers
👉 Design for inclusive interactions
👉 Design for user preferences and environments
Discover how to design beyond the happy path in #designsystems, including...
👉 Design for technical states
👉 Design for flexibility across layouts and containers
👉 Design for inclusive interactions
👉 Design for user preferences and environments
The designer’s happy path is only a fraction of the real experience. On zeroheight’s blog, I share a practical checklist to design components that survive loading, error, empty and offline states, real content, and diverse users.
Less Figma fantasy. More reality!
Less Figma fantasy. More reality!
Designing beyond the happy path in design systems - zeroheight
Design resilient design systems: in this checklist, Stéphanie Walter covers technical states, layouts, inclusive interactions, user preferences, and more.
zeroheight.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:23 AM
Another must-read by @stephaniewalter.bsky.social!
Discover how to design beyond the happy path in #designsystems, including...
👉 Design for technical states
👉 Design for flexibility across layouts and containers
👉 Design for inclusive interactions
👉 Design for user preferences and environments
Discover how to design beyond the happy path in #designsystems, including...
👉 Design for technical states
👉 Design for flexibility across layouts and containers
👉 Design for inclusive interactions
👉 Design for user preferences and environments
Twist your brain, with the Thatcher Effect: the faces are wrong, but they seem right upside down, because our brain loves to make sense of things, even when they don't.
(rotation animations might be motion sickness triggering)
optical.toys/thatcher-eff...
(rotation animations might be motion sickness triggering)
optical.toys/thatcher-eff...
February 4, 2026 at 1:31 PM
Twist your brain, with the Thatcher Effect: the faces are wrong, but they seem right upside down, because our brain loves to make sense of things, even when they don't.
(rotation animations might be motion sickness triggering)
optical.toys/thatcher-eff...
(rotation animations might be motion sickness triggering)
optical.toys/thatcher-eff...
Do you ever stumble upon a blog post and go "yep, dude is dead, and got replaced by an AI to make us believe he's not, it's the only thing that could make sense at this point"?
February 4, 2026 at 9:30 AM
Do you ever stumble upon a blog post and go "yep, dude is dead, and got replaced by an AI to make us believe he's not, it's the only thing that could make sense at this point"?
Same content, different impact: Diana Khalipina demonstrates how the same card component, will be perceived differently for different disabled users. Sometimes clarity for one person means confusion, stress or exclusion for another.
a11yblog.com/2026/01/30/h...
a11yblog.com/2026/01/30/h...
February 4, 2026 at 8:30 AM
Same content, different impact: Diana Khalipina demonstrates how the same card component, will be perceived differently for different disabled users. Sometimes clarity for one person means confusion, stress or exclusion for another.
a11yblog.com/2026/01/30/h...
a11yblog.com/2026/01/30/h...
Reposted by Stef Walter
Happy February!
First newsletter issue of this perfect month (that's a reference to the practice coding question 👀) is out!
cassidoo.co/newsletter
First newsletter issue of this perfect month (that's a reference to the practice coding question 👀) is out!
cassidoo.co/newsletter
rendezvous with cassidoo
A weekly newsletter with web development content for everyone, from beginners to pros.
cassidoo.co
February 2, 2026 at 8:31 AM
Happy February!
First newsletter issue of this perfect month (that's a reference to the practice coding question 👀) is out!
cassidoo.co/newsletter
First newsletter issue of this perfect month (that's a reference to the practice coding question 👀) is out!
cassidoo.co/newsletter
I think I need a "XX days since I didn't break anything" little calendar in my kitchen. But let's face it: it won't need 2 digits. Ever.
It's also another proof that I'm a cat: I must test gravity once a week, to make sure it still works, it's in my life mission. You are welcome for my service.
It's also another proof that I'm a cat: I must test gravity once a week, to make sure it still works, it's in my life mission. You are welcome for my service.
February 3, 2026 at 11:59 AM
I think I need a "XX days since I didn't break anything" little calendar in my kitchen. But let's face it: it won't need 2 digits. Ever.
It's also another proof that I'm a cat: I must test gravity once a week, to make sure it still works, it's in my life mission. You are welcome for my service.
It's also another proof that I'm a cat: I must test gravity once a week, to make sure it still works, it's in my life mission. You are welcome for my service.