Auto Layout in Figma: to use or not to use? Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the debate around auto layout in Figma. On one side, you’ve got designers who say skipping auto layout makes their work faster—they don’t have to get bogged down in the details, and it speeds up their process. On the other hand, some argue that auto layout is essential for efficiency, helping to maintain consistent spacing, reposition elements easily, and ensure everything is pixel-perfect. Personally, I’ve...
27 days ago • 2 min read
It’s Typespiration Time! Lately, I've been feeling a bit nostalgic for the days when design was just pure fun—no business plans, no client deadlines, no specific goals, just the joy of creating. So, I decided to revisit one of my older side projects, Typespiration. It reminded me of a time when I could simply create, share, and not worry too much about anything else. For those of you who haven't heard of it before, Typespiration is a collection of simple designs that play with different sets...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
See Rockbase in Action and Get Sneak Peek on What’s Coming Next The launch of the Rockbase theme has garnered an incredible response so far! Although users are hesitant to switch to WordPress's full-site editor (FSE), we received a ton of positive feedback on it. I've shared my excitement for this new direction in a previous article, explaining why I believe it's a big step for WordPress users. We've also received numerous custom website project requests from big names and well-known digital...
6 months ago • 3 min read
Why I'm Excited About WordPress Again Like many web designers, my journey didn’t start with WordPress. I started with plain HTML/CSS and then tried on Joomla, but it wasn’t long before I discovered WordPress and immediately fell for its simplicity and power. That switch marked the beginning of an exciting career path for me, designing websites and themes that would later lead me to collaborate with Brian Gardner and the talented StudioPress team. Together, we crafted some of the most beloved...
6 months ago • 3 min read
Hey there! I know it's been a while since my last email, but I've been super busy finishing up our latest project. Ever been so close to the finish line with a project, feeling like you’re 90% there, but that last 10% seems to stretch on indefinitely? That’s exactly where we’ve been. Adding a tweak here, refining a detail there - striving for that elusive perfection. But good news – the wait is over. I’m thrilled to introduce Rockbase to you! Let me take you on a tour of what we've packed...
7 months ago • 3 min read
Balancing the Ups and Downs of Running a Service Business Running a business can often feel like you're strapped into the wildest rollercoaster with no idea what twist or turn is coming next. I've been there and it's both exhilarating and daunting. In my best month, I soared high with earnings hitting over $95k. The next month, it’s a plunge into a $15k loss. Yeah, it’s a wild ride. And here's the thing – it's completely normal. There are going to be amazing days and some not-so-great ones....
8 months ago • 2 min read
FREE Figma Web Style Guide and Starter Templates In today’s newsletter, I’m thrilled to share something special with you: my free web style guide for Figma. It's a simplified version of the design system we use over at DesignKit.us. Think of this file as your design springboard. You can use it as a starting point for your own creations. Adjust the colors, play around with typography, add more UI elements, or expand the color palette to suit your needs. It's designed to be flexible and...
9 months ago • 3 min read
How I Run My Design Studio It's been four years since I gave my freelancing a makeover, transforming it into what is now 8px.studio. It's been quite a journey, growing from a solo venture to a design studio with two full-time designers and a bunch of talented contractors. When I embarked on this journey, I made a conscious decision to measure success differently. For me, it's not just about the numbers in the bank account. It's more about how this venture fits into my life. Does it make me...
9 months ago • 2 min read
A couple of years ago, I hit the reset button on my design business and my life. Back then, I felt stuck. Like many, I believed success meant building a perfect business — hiring a team, scaling up, and making detailed plans for the future. I was caught up in doing what I thought I was supposed to do. Every step was about reaching some industry standard, not about what I really wanted. The joy of designing, my true passion, was getting lost in the noise of ‘business growth’. That’s when I...
9 months ago • 3 min read