Lisa Verheul
@lifeofkaizen.bsky.social
👩🏻💻 Wordsmith. Software designer. 3x founder.
🍄 Plant eater. Tea addict. Yogi.
🍄 Plant eater. Tea addict. Yogi.
Delight is in the details.
December 16, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Delight is in the details.
The design industry loves personas.
They invent characters to represent the “average user”, then keep them top of mind as they design.
But these people don’t exist: there’s no such thing as an average user.
We design for our biggest critic instead.
They invent characters to represent the “average user”, then keep them top of mind as they design.
But these people don’t exist: there’s no such thing as an average user.
We design for our biggest critic instead.
December 4, 2025 at 8:39 PM
The design industry loves personas.
They invent characters to represent the “average user”, then keep them top of mind as they design.
But these people don’t exist: there’s no such thing as an average user.
We design for our biggest critic instead.
They invent characters to represent the “average user”, then keep them top of mind as they design.
But these people don’t exist: there’s no such thing as an average user.
We design for our biggest critic instead.
Reposted by Lisa Verheul
It’s not how long you spend in an app that matters.
Balanced optimises for how fast you can leave it.
Gain clarity. Act with confidence. Then get back to your life.
Balanced optimises for how fast you can leave it.
Gain clarity. Act with confidence. Then get back to your life.
December 3, 2025 at 11:13 PM
It’s not how long you spend in an app that matters.
Balanced optimises for how fast you can leave it.
Gain clarity. Act with confidence. Then get back to your life.
Balanced optimises for how fast you can leave it.
Gain clarity. Act with confidence. Then get back to your life.
Reposted by Lisa Verheul
We've spent months getting this ready, but our Steam Deck redesign is finally finished!
#SteamDeck #Steam
blog.parrot9.com/steam-case-s...
#SteamDeck #Steam
blog.parrot9.com/steam-case-s...
How to redesign Steam for maximum exploration
A Steam Deck interface that invites players to immerse themselves in their games.
blog.parrot9.com
December 18, 2024 at 9:00 PM
We've spent months getting this ready, but our Steam Deck redesign is finally finished!
#SteamDeck #Steam
blog.parrot9.com/steam-case-s...
#SteamDeck #Steam
blog.parrot9.com/steam-case-s...
@steampowered.com sales are calling your name, but how many of those games will you actually play?
We love our @steamdeck.com, but the interface makes it hard to play through our library.
After a mountain of effort, here’s a Steam redesign that makes it easy to fall in love with your games.
We love our @steamdeck.com, but the interface makes it hard to play through our library.
After a mountain of effort, here’s a Steam redesign that makes it easy to fall in love with your games.
@steampowered.com could offer a world-class gaming experience, but the interface lets it down.
Thanks to the paradox of choice and a launcher that stifles exploration, too many games go unplayed.
So we wondered: what if we designed it like Plex?
The final result:
blog.parrot9.com/steam-case-s...
Thanks to the paradox of choice and a launcher that stifles exploration, too many games go unplayed.
So we wondered: what if we designed it like Plex?
The final result:
blog.parrot9.com/steam-case-s...
How to design Steam for maximum engagement
A Steam Deck interface that makes it easy for people to fall in love with their games.
blog.parrot9.com
December 17, 2024 at 8:53 PM
@steampowered.com sales are calling your name, but how many of those games will you actually play?
We love our @steamdeck.com, but the interface makes it hard to play through our library.
After a mountain of effort, here’s a Steam redesign that makes it easy to fall in love with your games.
We love our @steamdeck.com, but the interface makes it hard to play through our library.
After a mountain of effort, here’s a Steam redesign that makes it easy to fall in love with your games.
Reposted by Lisa Verheul
First part of your life you learn.
Second part of your life you earn.
Third part of your life you return.
Second part of your life you earn.
Third part of your life you return.
November 21, 2024 at 5:54 PM
First part of your life you learn.
Second part of your life you earn.
Third part of your life you return.
Second part of your life you earn.
Third part of your life you return.
Reposted by Lisa Verheul
The mark of an expert is restraint.
January 25, 2024 at 9:51 PM
The mark of an expert is restraint.
An error message should tell you what the problem is and how to resolve it — in plain language.
Jargon without a clear resolution is not the solution. Especially when you’re nagged to take the action in the first place.
Shit like this is why developers shouldn’t write content.
Jargon without a clear resolution is not the solution. Especially when you’re nagged to take the action in the first place.
Shit like this is why developers shouldn’t write content.
![An error message on a request to enter the password for your Apple ID:
Verification Failed
Error while SRP initial authentication : Unexpected response from IDMS Server
[OK]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:rcnvwtujz23q276gmexg5vo3/bafkreigqiz2rizz5k4cfaiddiskkocnkjw2cct7iwpf5xxyk2tpcrldute@jpeg)
January 30, 2024 at 10:11 PM
An error message should tell you what the problem is and how to resolve it — in plain language.
Jargon without a clear resolution is not the solution. Especially when you’re nagged to take the action in the first place.
Shit like this is why developers shouldn’t write content.
Jargon without a clear resolution is not the solution. Especially when you’re nagged to take the action in the first place.
Shit like this is why developers shouldn’t write content.
Reposted by Lisa Verheul
A lot of people try to inject themselves into the design.
We do the opposite.
The only thing that should be left at the end of the process is the essence of the solution.
We do the opposite.
The only thing that should be left at the end of the process is the essence of the solution.
December 24, 2023 at 12:43 AM
A lot of people try to inject themselves into the design.
We do the opposite.
The only thing that should be left at the end of the process is the essence of the solution.
We do the opposite.
The only thing that should be left at the end of the process is the essence of the solution.
Reposted by Lisa Verheul
The problem with cryptocurrency is that most products suck, and decentralised committees are not the solution.
November 18, 2023 at 8:06 PM
The problem with cryptocurrency is that most products suck, and decentralised committees are not the solution.
Reposted by Lisa Verheul
So many businesses get design wrong, because they advocate for a structure that encourages poor design.
It’s great if you’re an entrepreneur looking to compete.
It's not so great if you’re a business just looking to survive.
It’s great if you’re an entrepreneur looking to compete.
It's not so great if you’re a business just looking to survive.
It's 2023, here is why your web design sucks.
Exploring the reasons why we no longer have web designers.
heather-buchel.com
November 13, 2023 at 9:13 PM
So many businesses get design wrong, because they advocate for a structure that encourages poor design.
It’s great if you’re an entrepreneur looking to compete.
It's not so great if you’re a business just looking to survive.
It’s great if you’re an entrepreneur looking to compete.
It's not so great if you’re a business just looking to survive.
The best designers are those who can check their ego at the door.
They understand that it’s the quality of the work that truly matters, not its source.
A team united by their quest for quality is an unstoppable force.
They understand that it’s the quality of the work that truly matters, not its source.
A team united by their quest for quality is an unstoppable force.
November 8, 2023 at 8:41 AM
The best designers are those who can check their ego at the door.
They understand that it’s the quality of the work that truly matters, not its source.
A team united by their quest for quality is an unstoppable force.
They understand that it’s the quality of the work that truly matters, not its source.
A team united by their quest for quality is an unstoppable force.
Reposted by Lisa Verheul
Hideo Kojima once stated that “there's a certain type of horror that only people who’re scared can create”.
The same powers work for design.
There’s a certain type of design that only people who’re impatient can create.
The same powers work for design.
There’s a certain type of design that only people who’re impatient can create.
November 7, 2023 at 7:54 PM
Hideo Kojima once stated that “there's a certain type of horror that only people who’re scared can create”.
The same powers work for design.
There’s a certain type of design that only people who’re impatient can create.
The same powers work for design.
There’s a certain type of design that only people who’re impatient can create.
Reposted by Lisa Verheul
Sadly, this is far too common.
Businesses often hire those without experience in the hopes that they'll "pick it up on the job". After all, marketing is a "soft skill" isn't it?
It's not fair to them, your team, and most importantly, your business.
Demand better.
Businesses often hire those without experience in the hopes that they'll "pick it up on the job". After all, marketing is a "soft skill" isn't it?
It's not fair to them, your team, and most importantly, your business.
Demand better.
What's the fastest way to recognise a brand?
It's not the logo. It's colour.
Use the same colour ratio consistently, and you can increase business revenue by 33%. You're also 3.5x more likely to be remembered.
The best way to destroy brand recognition?
Do something totally different each time.
It's not the logo. It's colour.
Use the same colour ratio consistently, and you can increase business revenue by 33%. You're also 3.5x more likely to be remembered.
The best way to destroy brand recognition?
Do something totally different each time.
November 7, 2023 at 1:23 AM
Sadly, this is far too common.
Businesses often hire those without experience in the hopes that they'll "pick it up on the job". After all, marketing is a "soft skill" isn't it?
It's not fair to them, your team, and most importantly, your business.
Demand better.
Businesses often hire those without experience in the hopes that they'll "pick it up on the job". After all, marketing is a "soft skill" isn't it?
It's not fair to them, your team, and most importantly, your business.
Demand better.
What's the fastest way to recognise a brand?
It's not the logo. It's colour.
Use the same colour ratio consistently, and you can increase business revenue by 33%. You're also 3.5x more likely to be remembered.
The best way to destroy brand recognition?
Do something totally different each time.
It's not the logo. It's colour.
Use the same colour ratio consistently, and you can increase business revenue by 33%. You're also 3.5x more likely to be remembered.
The best way to destroy brand recognition?
Do something totally different each time.
November 7, 2023 at 1:11 AM
What's the fastest way to recognise a brand?
It's not the logo. It's colour.
Use the same colour ratio consistently, and you can increase business revenue by 33%. You're also 3.5x more likely to be remembered.
The best way to destroy brand recognition?
Do something totally different each time.
It's not the logo. It's colour.
Use the same colour ratio consistently, and you can increase business revenue by 33%. You're also 3.5x more likely to be remembered.
The best way to destroy brand recognition?
Do something totally different each time.
What's the best way to sell someone on Linux?
Make them use Windows.
Make them use Windows.
November 6, 2023 at 2:48 AM
What's the best way to sell someone on Linux?
Make them use Windows.
Make them use Windows.
Perfectionism gets a bad rap, but if you settle for “good enough”, your business is ripe for disruption.
“Good enough” may save you time and energy in the short term, but it won’t give you a competitive edge. As soon as someone cares enough to do it better, you’ll be pushed to the sideline.
“Good enough” may save you time and energy in the short term, but it won’t give you a competitive edge. As soon as someone cares enough to do it better, you’ll be pushed to the sideline.
Why “good” is not good enough
“Good” decisions lead to average outcomes. Here’s why you should never settle.
blog.parrot9.com
November 3, 2023 at 5:16 AM
Perfectionism gets a bad rap, but if you settle for “good enough”, your business is ripe for disruption.
“Good enough” may save you time and energy in the short term, but it won’t give you a competitive edge. As soon as someone cares enough to do it better, you’ll be pushed to the sideline.
“Good enough” may save you time and energy in the short term, but it won’t give you a competitive edge. As soon as someone cares enough to do it better, you’ll be pushed to the sideline.
Reposted by Lisa Verheul
It saddens me that software has increasingly focused on its own self interests at the expense of helping users actually complete their task.
October 31, 2023 at 6:54 AM
It saddens me that software has increasingly focused on its own self interests at the expense of helping users actually complete their task.
Your taste is not defined by what you do, but by what you choose not to do.
Do you stamp your name across everything you create? Or are you content to stay in the background, knowing that to insert yourself would only taint the essence of the product?
Do you stamp your name across everything you create? Or are you content to stay in the background, knowing that to insert yourself would only taint the essence of the product?
November 2, 2023 at 8:46 AM
Your taste is not defined by what you do, but by what you choose not to do.
Do you stamp your name across everything you create? Or are you content to stay in the background, knowing that to insert yourself would only taint the essence of the product?
Do you stamp your name across everything you create? Or are you content to stay in the background, knowing that to insert yourself would only taint the essence of the product?
Reposted by Lisa Verheul
Humans are apex predators as a species, not as individuals.
November 1, 2023 at 9:34 PM
Humans are apex predators as a species, not as individuals.
Should designers learn to code?
Should designers learn business?
It depends. Do you want to be an effective designer, or limit yourself to the safety of Figma?
If you don’t know how to code, you can’t control the implementation.
If you don’t understand business, you have no business advising one.
Should designers learn business?
It depends. Do you want to be an effective designer, or limit yourself to the safety of Figma?
If you don’t know how to code, you can’t control the implementation.
If you don’t understand business, you have no business advising one.
November 1, 2023 at 3:48 AM
Should designers learn to code?
Should designers learn business?
It depends. Do you want to be an effective designer, or limit yourself to the safety of Figma?
If you don’t know how to code, you can’t control the implementation.
If you don’t understand business, you have no business advising one.
Should designers learn business?
It depends. Do you want to be an effective designer, or limit yourself to the safety of Figma?
If you don’t know how to code, you can’t control the implementation.
If you don’t understand business, you have no business advising one.
People view negativity as a bad thing.
But when it comes to design, the ability to see the worst in something is a superpower.
If you see the best in everything, there’s no motivation to improve. When the threshold to act is too high, the small things will slip past until it’s death by 1000 cuts.
But when it comes to design, the ability to see the worst in something is a superpower.
If you see the best in everything, there’s no motivation to improve. When the threshold to act is too high, the small things will slip past until it’s death by 1000 cuts.
October 31, 2023 at 7:07 AM
People view negativity as a bad thing.
But when it comes to design, the ability to see the worst in something is a superpower.
If you see the best in everything, there’s no motivation to improve. When the threshold to act is too high, the small things will slip past until it’s death by 1000 cuts.
But when it comes to design, the ability to see the worst in something is a superpower.
If you see the best in everything, there’s no motivation to improve. When the threshold to act is too high, the small things will slip past until it’s death by 1000 cuts.
Reposted by Lisa Verheul
No one understands branding like the designers who make movie posters.
Same colour ratios, different poster.
Same colour ratios, different poster.
October 29, 2023 at 7:38 PM
No one understands branding like the designers who make movie posters.
Same colour ratios, different poster.
Same colour ratios, different poster.