Takayuki Aoki — UI × Thinking
@takayukiaoki.bsky.social
I write about UI beyond usability.
Interfaces are traces of organizational thinking —
decisions, assumptions, and responsibilities made visible.
Longer essays ↓
https://substack.com/@takayukiaoki/notes
Interfaces are traces of organizational thinking —
decisions, assumptions, and responsibilities made visible.
Longer essays ↓
https://substack.com/@takayukiaoki/notes
Pinned
I write about UI as a trace of organizational thinking.
Not tips. Not trends.
Just the uncomfortable questions behind interfaces.
Not tips. Not trends.
Just the uncomfortable questions behind interfaces.
I wrote a longer piece about why UI is never neutral —
not as a usability issue, but as a reflection of unresolved decisions inside organizations.
It’s now up on Substack.
takayukiaoki.substack.com/p/ui-is-neve...
not as a usability issue, but as a reflection of unresolved decisions inside organizations.
It’s now up on Substack.
takayukiaoki.substack.com/p/ui-is-neve...
UI Is Never Neutral
UI is often discussed as a matter of clarity.
takayukiaoki.substack.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:51 PM
I wrote a longer piece about why UI is never neutral —
not as a usability issue, but as a reflection of unresolved decisions inside organizations.
It’s now up on Substack.
takayukiaoki.substack.com/p/ui-is-neve...
not as a usability issue, but as a reflection of unresolved decisions inside organizations.
It’s now up on Substack.
takayukiaoki.substack.com/p/ui-is-neve...
UI design often looks kind.
But sometimes, that kindness is just a way to hide responsibility.
But sometimes, that kindness is just a way to hide responsibility.
January 10, 2026 at 12:15 PM
UI design often looks kind.
But sometimes, that kindness is just a way to hide responsibility.
But sometimes, that kindness is just a way to hide responsibility.
When a UI feels “too safe,”
I start wondering:
who is this safety really for?
I start wondering:
who is this safety really for?
January 10, 2026 at 12:15 PM
When a UI feels “too safe,”
I start wondering:
who is this safety really for?
I start wondering:
who is this safety really for?
Good UI doesn’t only guide users.
It also reveals how an organization thinks.
It also reveals how an organization thinks.
January 10, 2026 at 12:15 PM
Good UI doesn’t only guide users.
It also reveals how an organization thinks.
It also reveals how an organization thinks.
Many UI problems aren’t design problems.
They’re decision problems, frozen into interfaces.
They’re decision problems, frozen into interfaces.
January 10, 2026 at 12:14 PM
Many UI problems aren’t design problems.
They’re decision problems, frozen into interfaces.
They’re decision problems, frozen into interfaces.
“User-friendly” can be an honest intention.
Or a convenient excuse.
The difference matters.
Or a convenient excuse.
The difference matters.
January 10, 2026 at 12:14 PM
“User-friendly” can be an honest intention.
Or a convenient excuse.
The difference matters.
Or a convenient excuse.
The difference matters.
I’m less interested in how interfaces work,
and more interested in why they ended up this way.
and more interested in why they ended up this way.
January 10, 2026 at 12:14 PM
I’m less interested in how interfaces work,
and more interested in why they ended up this way.
and more interested in why they ended up this way.
UI is not neutral.
It always reflects someone’s assumptions about people.
It always reflects someone’s assumptions about people.
January 10, 2026 at 12:14 PM
UI is not neutral.
It always reflects someone’s assumptions about people.
It always reflects someone’s assumptions about people.
Sometimes, improving UI feels empty.
That’s usually a sign the real question was never asked.
That’s usually a sign the real question was never asked.
January 10, 2026 at 12:13 PM
Sometimes, improving UI feels empty.
That’s usually a sign the real question was never asked.
That’s usually a sign the real question was never asked.
Interfaces quietly decide
what users are allowed to think about
— and what they’re not.
what users are allowed to think about
— and what they’re not.
January 10, 2026 at 12:13 PM
Interfaces quietly decide
what users are allowed to think about
— and what they’re not.
what users are allowed to think about
— and what they’re not.
I write about UI as a trace of organizational thinking.
Not tips. Not trends.
Just the uncomfortable questions behind interfaces.
Not tips. Not trends.
Just the uncomfortable questions behind interfaces.
January 10, 2026 at 12:13 PM
I write about UI as a trace of organizational thinking.
Not tips. Not trends.
Just the uncomfortable questions behind interfaces.
Not tips. Not trends.
Just the uncomfortable questions behind interfaces.