Winter 2025 - Although it doesn't snow here in Sydney, it gets pretty damn cold. I don't really like wearing a heavy, puffed-up jackets. Its inconvenient, and I have to take it off indoors. The Uniqlo Puff Tech stood out, as it could be folded inside a pouch that easily would go inside my everyday carry(a messenger bag that exactly fits a 14-inch laptop) which was great.

The moment of delight came in after a long day of work and I unwrapped the puffer jacket from the pouch to head back home in the evening. There was a small pull tab at the end of the storage pouch that made it so easy to take out the jacket from the ultra thin pouch. I stopped midway, it made me smile. Someone, somewhere during the design process had considered this exact moment when I would need take out the jacket, and had made it effortless. A detail so thoughtful.

"The first secret of design is noticing the invisible problems."

- Tony Fadell (2015 -TED Talks)

Avoiding the pull tab might have saved a lot of time and cost in manufacturing, but the fact that it was kept speaks a lot about a culture. The pull tab on the pouch isn't revolutionary, but it's proof that design is fundamentally about human connection, creating a moment of delight, a small surprise that elevated the entire experience of using it. Adding this kind of a detail with essential function represents the one of the highest form of design where efficiency and emotion work in harmony.

Instead of just settling at "How can I make this faster?" thinking about "How can I make someone's day a little better?" - Instead of just optimising for metrics alone, considering the emotional journey of the person who will encounter your work will fundamentally change the creative process itself.

A few months ago, Jony Ive, during the Stripe Sessions, said:

"I did feel a connection and excitement that somebody was going to experience something that they don't even know exists yet, and even though it was a small thing, it would really come genuinely from a place of love and care."

- Jony Ive
(Stripe Sessions 2025)

The right amount of perfection.

The Japanese way of life - Kaizen, says perfection isn't a destination but a journey of incremental enhancements. Each iteration, no matter how small, contributes to meaningful progress over time. It's the understanding that "small, incremental changes lead to major improvements", and that sustainable innovation comes through persistent refinement rather than dramatic overhauls. Working with the team at Nimo made me understand this better. Making it exist first, then going the extra mile over time to make it better while taking a stand on when to stop and when to continue. By doing this, each project or a task becomes an opportunity to improve not just the final output, but the approach, the thinking, and the craft. However, the beauty of continuous improvement lies in its sustainability. Rather than burning out in pursuit of perfection, a steady, manageable progress that compounds over time is practical and thoughtful.

Your surroundings matter

Moving cities fundamentally alters your design sense in ways not anticipated. Your surroundings become your greatest teacher, demonstrating through its people, typography, signage, and information systems. I do feel privileged and grateful to be in a place that blends nature and design sophistication. Being surrounded by thoughtful design decisions every day raising standards for what constitutes good design. This awareness makes you more thoughtful about the long-term impact of your decisions. Every choice carries a weight beyond its immediate function. While the rapid pace of technology means we often don't have time to fully consider these implications, but the responsibility remains. The journey continues through daily iterations, constant observation, and the pursuit of work that connects meaningfully with others.