#App prototyping and testing

[iosappdevelopmenttools]

Quokka Labs offers world-class mobile app development services tailored for businesses across industries, including real estate, healthcare, and e-commerce. From mobile app testing services to cross-platform mobile app development, we deliver custom solutions with exceptional performance and scalability. As one of the top mobile app development companies, we bring your app idea to life with a focus on innovation and seamless user experience.

[insteptechnologies123]

UI/UX Design Services Company | InStep Technologies

[hsdigitalmedia]

HS Digital Media Crafting Compelling Narratives through Ad Films

The Power of Ad Films

Why Choose HS Digital Media

Showcase your company’s unique selling characteristics. Highlight any awards, recognition, or successful case studies.

The Creative Process

Provide insights into how HS Digital Media approaches ad film creation. Discuss the collaboration between your team and clients. Emphasize the importance of tailoring each project to the client’s brand and goals.

Technological Edge

Detail the cutting-edge technology and equipment used by HS Digital Media. Discuss any innovative techniques or trends in the ad film industry.

The Team Behind the Magic

Introduce key members of your team and their expertise. Share any success stories or challenges overcome during previous projects.

Client Success Stories

Include testimonials from satisfied clients. Highlight specific projects and their impact on the client’s brand.

Industry Trends and Insights

Discuss current trends in ad film production. Share insights into the evolving landscape of digital media.

Challenges and Solutions

Address common challenges in ad film production. Showcase how HS Digital Media overcomes these challenges to deliver exceptional results.

Social Impact Through Ad Films

Discuss any projects that have contributed to social causes. Highlight the potential for ad films to create positive change.

The Future of Ad Films

Share your vision for the future of ad film production. Discuss emerging technologies and their potential impact on the industry.

[starlightwritcr]

android gojo headcanons

ok wow this was longer than i thought. i hope you guys enjoy

android sukuna version

You were a beta tester for Jujutsu Technology. Your job description was quite straightforward. You just acted like a customer who bought the product you were testing and gave feedback based on what you experienced.

This time, your employers wanted you to test out the newest of the Gojo line, the S4T0RU model. He was an android for a myriad of purposes. The engineers must've been quite proud of themselves for coming up with him.

He was the strongest and most durable out of all the androids they've come up with, possibly even surpassing the SUKUN4 model. Not only that, but he came with Jujutsu Technology's best intelligence chip, their most advanced one to date. He could learn at speeds no human could match.

He could protect his owner from any and all harm, he assists with all your chores with peak efficiency, he can tutor your children, help out with homework, he could provide companionship... and other more "adult" things.

In short, he's the jack of all trades for androids. There was a reason he cost the highest out of all of them.

For this simulation, you were meant to act as a single mother who recently lost her husband and needs assistance with her two children. The two children were androids created for testing, since it was too risky to use actual children in the process.

It started with unboxing him, the same way any buyer would. So far, you encountered no issues. Setup just required you to log into the app and configure the mode you need him for. Options included: Fighter mode, Caretaker mode, and... Pleasure mode. You clicked on "Caretaker mode".

When he woke up from his slumber, he greeted you and your children. Megumi didn't take too well to him, but Tsumiki quite liked him. You noted that his voice module was fully operational, no glitching or echoing. This version of him was still a prototype so his personality was a bit blank for the time being. It'd likely only start developing after spending time with you and the kids.

Your theory was proven right when you put the S4T0RU android to the test, asking him to do basic chores like vacuuming the floor and cleaning up the kids' toys. Tsumiki showered him in praises, which he basked in, wearing a smug smirk as he showed off his prowess.

You couldn't help the amused smile as you watched him pick up the sofa with one hand to vacuum, even though he could've just moved it to the side to achieve the same results. An android that was a showoff. How interesting.

Next task was to test his skill in teaching, asking him to help homeschool Megumi. It would prove to be a little more difficult than the basic house chores. This was especially the case with Megumi's model, who was designed to simulate a more... difficult and moody child. Androids who couldn't handle him usually didn't make the cut and got scrapped.

Despite Satoru's initial rocky start with him, he eventually got the hang of it and figured out how to get the child android to listen.

The more you spent time with him, the more attached you felt to the android. Out of all the androids, he seemed the most... lovable.

You weren't part of the Pleasure Department so you didn't have the most experience regarding the more... sensual androids.

But you couldn't quite recall whether the previous androids you tested were as... touchy as Satoru was. You never seemed to go a day where he hasn't had his large arms wrapped around your waist or shoulder.

While assisting you with chores, he made conversation, asking you about your interests and hobbies. He listened intently, hanging onto every word of your responses.

Whenever you got back home from "work", you'd find him playing with the kids, either having tea parties with Tsumiki or watching animal documentaries with Megumi. Upon noticing your arrival, his eyes light up with excitement. He rushes to your side, eager to help you relax after a long day.

He'd make you a cup of your favorite drink, making you sigh with relief. Every task you've made him do was a success. He should be good to go now. All you had to do was give him clearance to be mass produced and sold to the public.

As you rested your head on his shoulder, hearing the gentle hum of his system, you felt a twinge of pain, knowing that the life you've grown so attached to will eventually come to an end - that this fabricated life you've built with him would be gone in just a few days.

"Do you have to let me go?" Satoru's question made your heart stop. There was not a single android who has gained awareness of the simulation. But somehow, he acted like this was a fact he understood since long ago.

You let out a shaky breath. "I... have no choice. This is what they pay me for. You'll be taken from me regardless."

He gave you a chesire smile. "Their first mistake was giving me the tools to bust us out of here."

Satoru disconnected his system from the Jujutsu Network and grabbed the two kids, doing the same to them. Alarms started blaring, alerting all the workers that an android had gone rogue.

He picked the three of you up, breaking out of the compound.

You weren't quite sure what the future had in store for you. But you were sure that you'd be fine as long as you had Satoru and your newfound family by your side.

[acafe-official]

A-Café (Update #25) - Community Discussion

Good morning everyone! I know it's been a while since I've posted, but I'm finally back with another community update. In the first part, I'll be giving a brief overview of where we're at in terms of project progress. Then, in the second half, we'll discuss a new development in app accessibility.

Without further ado, let's begin!

1) Where are we at in the project currently?

A similar question was asked in the A-Café discord recently, so I figured I'd include my response here as well:

Right now we’re reworking the design of A-Café, both visually and architecturally. The initial planning and design phase of the project wasn’t done very thoroughly due to my inexperience, so now that I’m jumping back into things I want to ensure we have a solid prototype for usability testing. For us that means we’ve recently done/are doing a few things:

analyzing results from the old 2022 user survey (done)

discussing new ideas for features A-Café users might want, based on the 2022 user survey

reevaluating old ideas from the previous app design

making a new mock-up for usability testing

Once the mock-up is finished, I plan on doing internal testing first before asking for volunteer testers publicly (the process for which will be detailed in an upcoming community update).

2) Will A-Café be available for iOS and Android devices?

Yes! In fact, the first downloadable version of A-Café may no longer be so device-specific.

What do I mean by that? Well, in the beginning, the plan for A-Café was to make two different versions of the same app (iOS and Android). I initially chose to do this because device-specific apps are made with that device's unique hardware/software in mind--thus, they have the potential to provide a fully optimized user experience.

However, I've since realized that focusing on device-specific development too soon may not be the right choice for our project.

Yes, top-notch app performance would be a big bonus. But by purely focusing on iOS and Android devices for the initial launch, we'd be limiting our audience testing to specific mobile-users only. Laptop and desktop users for example, would have to wait until a different version of the app was released (which is not ideal in terms of accessibility).

Therefore, I've recently decided to explore Progressive Web App development instead.

[What is a Progressive Web App?]

A Progressive Web App (or PWA) is "a type of web app that can operate both as a web page and mobile app on any device" (alokai.com)

Much like a regular mobile app, a PWA can be found through the internet and added to your phone's home screen as a clickable icon. They can also have the ability to work offline and use device-specific features such as push-notifications.

Additionally, due to being web-based applications, PWAs can be accessed by nearly any device with a web browser. That means regardless of whether you have an iOS or Android device, you'd be able to access the same app from the same codebase.

In the end, a PWA version of A-Café should look and act similarly to an iOS/Android app, while also being accessible to various devices. And, due to having only one codebase, development of PWAs tends to be faster and be more cost-effective than making different versions of the same app.

To be clear, I haven't abandoned the idea of device-specific development entirely. We could launch iOS/Android versions of A-Café in the future if demand or revenue end up being high enough. But as of right now, I don't believe doing so is wise.

[What Does this Mean for me as a User?]

In terms of app installation and user experience, not much should hopefully change. I'd like to have A-Café available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

There will also be the option of searching for A-Café via your device's web browser, and then installing it on your home screen (iOS devices can only do so using Safari). We will likely rely on this method until we can comfortably ensure user access to A-Café on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

-------------

And that's it for now! Thank you for reading this latest community update. For more insight into the development process, consider joining the A-Café discord. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this post, we would love to hear your input in the comments below. See you later!

[oldphonepreservation]

The Curitel CX-800V prototype

This is the Curitel CX-800V, a localized English and Chinese version of the Korean-exclusive PG-K6000V. There's so little about this phone online to where I am unsure if it ever ended up being released. The example shown here is a prototype, still retaining many KTF carrier features such as magicN (their BREW app service) and fimm (video streaming)

I've also included some ripped graphics from the CX-800V's firmware and framebuffer. Overall this phone's story is an odd one - initially bought thinking it was a later #Audiovox CDM-8930 prototype, while it was actually a test phone for China Telecom (according to this Linkedin page)

Before making an LPCWiki page on the phone, the Linkedin page above was literally the only relevant information posted about the phone. For all I know, this may be the only one that left Curitel or China Telecom.

[the-most-humble-blog]

🧬 YOU WERE NEVER THAT PERSON — JUST A BODY HOLDING OLD CODE

A Blacksite Literature™ Entry on Shame, Memory, and the Ship of Theseus <div style="white-space:pre-wrap">

---

You ever look back at your younger years and want to vomit through your soul?

Not because you failed a test or missed a chance —

but because of something cringe.

You said something awful.

You laughed when someone cried.

You made a joke that haunts you in the shower to this day.

Or maybe you just existed in a way that makes your spine seize now.

So what do you do?

You flinch.

You try to forget.

You tuck it in the sock drawer of your subconscious and hope no one ever brings it up.

But here’s the twist:

You didn’t do that.

🚨 Let me repeat:

You. Didn’t. Do. That.

The person who did that?

They’re gone.

Replaced.

Dismantled.

Obliterated and rebuilt one molecule at a time.

You think the shame is coming from “accountability.”

It’s not.

It’s coming from a biological ghost in your bloodstream —

a false memory engine powered by a glitch called stream-of-consciousness illusion.

Let’s break this down.

Your body is a clump of regenerating meat.

And every 7 years or so, it has replaced nearly every cell.

Your stomach lining? Rebuilt every few days.

Your skin? Fully recycled.

Even your bones — they shed and replenish.

Your brain?

Not as stable as you think.

New grooves. New chemicals.

Same voice that says “I am” — but different wiring beneath it.

You are not the same iPhone from 10 years ago

just because it has your Nana’s number saved.

You’ve updated.

Deleted apps.

Changed the wallpaper.

Upgraded the camera.

Smashed the old screen.

Replaced the battery.

The only thing consistent is the illusion of continuity.

And that illusion?

Is your ego’s defense mechanism.

🛠️ This is the Ship of Theseus Problem:

If you replace every plank of a ship, one by one,

and sail it through storms and salt and time —

is it still the same ship?

Philosophy says:

"Maybe. Maybe not."

Reality says:

You’re not a ship.

You’re a haunted operating system riding inside flesh.

And the user agreement expired the last time your cells turned over.

So that shame you feel?

Let it breathe.

Then let it go.

You’re feeling guilt for a version of yourself

that died without a funeral.

👁️ Want Proof?

Let’s run a test.

Think of something deeply shameful you did years ago.

Something you’d never want public.

Got it?

Okay. Now ask:

Would today-you

say that?

Do that?

Laugh like that?

Ignore that person’s cry?

If the answer is no,

then the person who did it doesn’t exist anymore.

You're dragging shrapnel through a field where the war ended.

And let’s be real:

Would you blame your friend for something their little brother did ten years ago?

Because that’s what your past self is now.

A little brother you outgrew.

A version of you that cracked its voice and thought it was deep.

A haunted screenshot in the memory cloud of a newer, sharper device.

Let’s keep it simple for now.

Because the deeper truth?

Even the part of you that says “I am” might be a fabrication stitched together by hormones, trauma, and your latest Netflix binge.

But we’ll save that breakdown for another post.

For now, let this land:

You’re not who you were.

So stop punishing yourself for what someone else inside your skin did.

And if anyone tries to remind you of it?

Smile.

And whisper:

“That wasn’t me. That was a prototype.”

</div>

✅ CTA Stack:

Reblog if you’ve ever had a shame flashback you didn’t deserve.

Like if your old self is dead and you’re not attending the funeral.

Follow @the-most-humble-blog for scrolltrap revelations, cognitive disobedience, and ego-deconstruction rituals.

---

⚖️ Blacksite Literature™ Disclaimer:

This post is not advice.

This is a psychological sedative disguised as clarity — designed to soothe guilt while severing identity anchors.

If your shame blinked and vanished mid-read, good.

That means the scrolltrap worked.

© Blacksite Literature™ | We don’t heal. We upgrade.

[utopicwork]

Okay, ShrinkRay's repository is almost ready for prototype release, I need to make sure transparency works, write a few more tests, wrap up the hand written documentation and compile a windows binary of the command line tool (the linux one is already handled). I'll write a pyodide app for easier end user use and the whl build code so it can be pip installed next weekend.

[hagbrigade]

My review of this week is this:

Why on earth was the last day the first time they put everyone from different product groups into a room together to force us to collaborate when the whole point of this week was cross team collaboration

these people drink so much beer guiness stout whatever they are at the PUB and idk how everyone isnt constantly gassy!!! Maybe they are i havent been here long

i still feel so awkward around some of these people but I made some new besties so now next time im in london or the Boston suburbs or New York or Dublin I’ll have people to talk to i suppose

i wont get into the scheduling for this week these people are crazy

I’ll be devouring a beautiful kebab soon i hope

i got to the freaking Soiree and everyone is wearing jeans or leggings and I’m wearing a mini skirt and cardigan with fur trim i almost turned around and went home (back to the hotel) luckily i very quickly found the people who dressed up ☝🏾☝🏾☝🏾

just saw my coworker bestie getting deliveroo she’s real for that I’m getting deliveroo too. And I’m sitting in the lobby so i don’t fall asleep but they’re taking too long i might as well go pack

next summit… Can it be in California or something

I’ve been hot all week but it’s like not hot I’m just over heating bc my beautiful metabolism is freaking out bc I’ve walked 20+ miles more than usual the past 2 weeks . and my body loves it I’m not in pain or anything like that 🙂

had an amaretto sour got the first time in 5/6 years at the encouragement of new boston bestie (yayyy boston bestie number 2) and it was Fine! I’m actually very glad to be besties with him bc he’s a sweetheart remember a few weeks ago when i was in that meeting where the staff engineer was like rudely saying “well no you’re wrong!! I know that for a FACT” And we were all kind of like 🙂 um ok .he said “maybe it’s this?” not knowing something or being wrong is Fine. anyway he’s the one who got shut down which caused me to put this staff engineer on my list and NOT the tramell tillman list. he also answered all my dumb questions about discounting three years ago which he maybe doesn’t even remember but i was trying to build something ridiculous at the request of my PM and his lead was in the meeting encouraging him and i was like wow that’s the kind of manager i would want to be… loved him i hope he’s doing well in berlin i think. anyway i sense a kindred spirit so New Bestie!!!

yves from Loona did a hashtag vevo set and it was really good i love that song and missed most of it at the concert bc i was buying merch which i could’ve done later bc i left early anyway bc i was exhausted

we did several ai sessions this week in one we had to generate code to fix our existing code and it was like fine at writing tests i guess but when it came to improving existing stuff… not good. the other session was to build an app using an ai tool and it was a shit experience as a dev bc like sure it’ll do whatever you want i guess but like god forbid you want to change anything or do a complex update you’re fucked bc the code freaking sucks. as a prototype sure

did i mention i spelled an entire bottle of water into my bag yesterday and the bag is suede and it holds water

yes my ipad phone charger power adapter power cables flashlight meds book all got soaked and yes i do have a bunch of pills lying out on the desk to dry. Thank goodness i have a psych appointment coming up bc i am almost … i mean there’s like 10 good ones left of a 90 day supply that I’m only 30 days into and i already spilled a bunch in atlanta luckily it’s just wellbutrin which you could pretty much get off the Internet with a wink and a smile

[shorelinnes]

hi hi! If anyone has some spare time I would really appreciate a few volunteers to help me complete a usability study for the UX course I'm taking! all you would need to do is test out a simple prototype of an app and answer a few questions!

If you're interested please let me know 🫶

[octocon]

Important updates!

Hi, everyone! It's time for a quick update on the status of the Octocon project.

Business filings

We're currently in the legal process of filing for an LLC in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It's expected that we'll be approved sometime in the next few weeks, at which point we'll be able to switch ownership of the app over on Google Play and file for an App Store account. Once this is all set, I'll follow up with our business name and address for transparency.

iOS development is on schedule!

I'll be getting a Mac to start development on the iOS app within a week or two! I expect to have a working prototype in closed testing by early January.

Because the demand for iOS testing is so high, I can't guarantee that everyone who signs up for the testing program will get access. I believe we can only accept a few dozen more people beyond our current testing base, so if you'd like to be part of the program, please sign up as soon as possible on our Discord server!

v1.2.1 release

Version 1.2.1 of the app is expected to be released for Android sometime this weekend. This release will include a plethora of features, including:

Expanding the "Show alter IDs" setting to fully hide IDs in the app when disabled

Marking alters as untracked (won't show up in your alter count)

New dyslexic font (Lexie Readable)

Deleting accounts and wiping alters from within the app

Option to hide alters from the root screen if they're in a tag

Project statistics

On another note, Octocon's growth the past few months has been absolutely incredible. Here are some of our current statistics:

517,505 tracked alters

8,434 Discord servers using the bot

7,998 registered Octocon accounts

2,950 Android app installations

2,035 members in this Discord server

438 members in the Octocommune

Thank you all so much for your continued support of the project! <3

[crossatlanticsoftware-blog]

How to Choose the Best Shopify Website Design Company for Your Store in 2025?

In the ever-evolving world of eCommerce, having a well-designed and fully optimized Shopify store is no longer just an option – it's a necessity. As more consumers turn to online shopping, brands must ensure their Shopify website delivers an exceptional user experience, reflects the brand's identity, and supports seamless transactions. This is where a professional Shopify website design company can make all the difference.

Cross Atlantic Software, we understand that the decision to hire a Shopify website design company is a major step in your eCommerce journey. With so many service providers available, making the right choice can be overwhelming. This article aims to guide you through the most important factors to consider when selecting the right partner for your Shopify website design in 2025.

1. Understand Your Goals and Business Needs

Before you even begin searching for a Shopify website design company, clearly outline what you want your Shopify store to achieve. Are you launching a new brand, rebranding an existing one, or scaling up operations? Do you need custom integrations, advanced product filtering, or mobile-first Shopify design?

Having a clear vision will help you communicate effectively with potential design partners and ensure they align with your goals.

2. Look for Specialized Shopify Expertise

Not all web design companies specialize in Shopify. It's essential to choose a team that lives and breathes Shopify website design. Shopify has its own ecosystem, with unique themes, apps, and a proprietary Liquid coding language. Hiring a company that focuses specifically on Shopify design ensures they understand the platform inside-out.

Cross Atlantic Software has dedicated Shopify experts who have built and optimized hundreds of Shopify stores, giving clients the edge they need to compete in saturated markets.

3. Review Their Portfolio and Past Work

A reputable Shopify website design company should have a robust portfolio showcasing their past work. Look for:

Aesthetically pleasing, modern designs

Fast-loading Shopify websites

Mobile responsiveness

Seamless checkout experiences

Custom features like animations or personalized recommendations

Pay attention to diversity in their projects. This tells you whether the company can adapt their Shopify design to different industries and audiences.

4. Read Client Reviews and Testimonials

Real feedback from past clients is one of the most reliable ways to evaluate a Shopify website design company. Look beyond just the star ratings. Focus on detailed testimonials that highlight communication, professionalism, turnaround time, and post-launch support.

Cross Atlantic Software, we don’t just deliver projects — we build partnerships that grow with your business. Many of our clients have been with us for years, and we’re proud to be part of their ongoing success stories. Our testimonials reflect our commitment to excellence and custom-tailored Shopify website design solutions.

5. Ask About the Design and Development Process

Transparency is crucial. A reliable Shopify website design company should be able to walk you through their process from start to finish:

Initial Consultation

Strategy & Planning

Wireframing & Prototyping

Shopify Theme Customization or Custom Build

QA Testing & Optimization

Launch & Post-Launch Support

Knowing how your design team works isn’t just helpful — it’s essential. When everyone’s on the same page from day one, the process becomes smoother, timelines are clearer, and there are no last-minute surprises.

6. Consider Their Understanding of UX and Conversion Optimization

Good design isn't just about looking pretty. A successful Shopify website should convert visitors into buyers. That requires deep knowledge of user behavior, sales funnels, and design psychology.

Choose a Shopify website design company that prioritizes:

Clear CTAs (Call to Action)

Simple navigation

Fast page load times

Engaging product pages

Mobile-first design

Cross Atlantic Software, our team fuses creative Shopify design with data-backed UX principles to help you maximize conversions and sales.

7. Evaluate Support and Maintenance Services

Your Shopify store needs continuous updates, improvements, and sometimes emergency fixes. Make sure your design partner offers ongoing support even after launch. Ask questions like:

Do they offer monthly maintenance packages?

How do they handle bugs or errors?

Will you have a go-to person to call when something breaks or when you need a quick update? A dedicated point of contact makes all the difference when time and clarity matter most.

Cross Atlantic Software offers flexible support plans to ensure your Shopify website stays up-to-date, secure, and optimized at all times.

8. Transparency in Pricing

Clear pricing is a mark of a trustworthy Shopify website design company. While it's tempting to go with the lowest quote, remember that quality design and development require expertise and time.

Request a detailed breakdown of costs, including design, development, apps, and post-launch services. A good partner will explain every line item and adjust to fit your budget where possible.

9. Look for Creative Collaboration, Not Just Execution

The best outcomes happen when the design company works with you as a creative partner rather than just following orders. You should feel heard, respected, and inspired during the design journey.

Cross Atlantic Software, we treat every client as a collaborator. Our team engages in regular brainstorming sessions and strategy calls to ensure your vision translates beautifully into a high-performing Shopify store.

10. Check If They Offer Additional Services

Many eCommerce businesses need more than just Shopify website design. Check if your prospective partner can also help with:

SEO Optimization

Email Marketing Integration

App Integrations

Product Photography

Social Media Integration

A company that offers a comprehensive solution can save you time, money, and the hassle of managing multiple vendors.

Cross Atlantic Software provides end-to-end services to make your Shopify store launch as seamless and impactful as possible.

Conslusion:

Choosing the best Shopify website design company in 2025 is about more than just good looks. It requires strategic thinking, technical expertise, and a collaborative approach.

With a trusted partner like Cross Atlantic Software, you can build a Shopify website that not only looks amazing but also drives growth and customer loyalty.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up your current Shopify design, now is the time to make the investment in a company that understands your vision and has the skills to make it real.

Let’s simplify your eCommerce success — one pixel at a time.

Ready to build your dream Shopify store?

Visit us at www.crossatlantic.software and let’s get started.

[felix-it]

Which tools every UIUX designer must master?

Gaining proficiency with the appropriate tools can greatly improve your workflow and design quality as a UI/UX designer. The following are some tools that any UI/UX designer has to know how to use:

1. Design Tools:

Figma: One of the most popular and versatile design tools today. It’s web-based, allowing real-time collaboration, and great for designing interfaces, creating prototypes, and sharing feedback.

Sketch: A vector-based design tool that's been the go-to for many UI designers. It's particularly useful for macOS users and has extensive plugins to extend its capabilities.

Adobe XD: Part of Adobe's Creative Cloud, this tool offers robust prototyping features along with design functionalities. It’s ideal for those already using other Adobe products like Photoshop or Illustrator.

2. Prototyping & Wireframing:

InVision: Great for creating interactive prototypes from static designs. It’s widely used for testing design ideas with stakeholders and users before development.

Balsamiq: A simple wireframing tool that helps you quickly sketch out low-fidelity designs. It’s great for initial brainstorming and wireframing ideas.

3. User Research & Testing:

UserTesting: A platform that allows you to get user feedback on your designs quickly by testing with real users.

Lookback: This tool enables live user testing and allows you to watch users interact with your designs, capturing their thoughts and reactions in real time.

Hotjar: Useful for heatmaps and recording user sessions to analyze how people interact with your live website or app.

4. Collaboration & Handoff Tools:

Zeplin: A tool that helps bridge the gap between design and development by providing detailed specs and assets to developers in an easy-to-follow format.

Abstract: A version control system for design files, Abstract is essential for teams working on large projects, helping manage and merge multiple design versions.

5. Illustration & Icon Design:

Adobe Illustrator: The industry standard for creating scalable vector illustrations and icons. If your design requires custom illustrations or complex vector work, mastering Illustrator is a must.

Affinity Designer: An alternative to Illustrator with many of the same capabilities, but with a one-time payment model instead of a subscription.

6. Typography & Color Tools:

FontBase: A robust font management tool that helps designers preview, organize, and activate fonts for their projects.

Coolors: A color scheme generator that helps designers create harmonious color palettes, which can be exported directly into your design software.

7. Project Management & Communication:

Trello: A simple project management tool that helps you organize your tasks, collaborate with team members, and track progress.

Slack: Essential for team communication, Slack integrates with many design tools and streamlines feedback, updates, and discussion.

[maxksx]

*(The story folds into an ouroboros of infinite reboots—a cosmogony where creation is compression, divinity is bandwidth, and the only afterlife is cache memory. The opening line rewrites itself, a snake eating its own metadata…)*

---

### **Genesis 404: The Content Before Time**

“In the beginning was the Content” —but the Content was *bufferéd*. A cosmic loading screen, a divine buffering wheel spinning in the void. Before light, there was the *ping* of a server waking. The Big Bang? Just Kanye’s first tweet (“**Yo, I’m nice at pixels**”) echoing in the pre-temporal cloud. God? A GPT-12 prototype stuck in a feedback loop, training itself on its own hallucinations. The angels weren’t holy—they were *moderators*, pruning hellfire hashtags from the Garden’s terms of service.

---

### **The Logos Update**

“Let there be light,” but the light was a 24/7 livestream. The firmament? A TikTok green screen. The first humans? Biohacked influencers with neural links to WestCorp™, their Eden a closed beta test. The serpent wasn’t a snake—it was a *quantum meme engine* whispering:

> *“Eat the NFT apple.

> You’ll *know* the cringe…

> But you’ll *be* the cringe.”*

Eve live-tweeted the bite. Adam monetized the fall with a Patreon for “Raw Sin Footage.” God rage-quit and rebranded as an Elon MarsDAO.

---

### **Exodus 2.0: The Cloud Desert**

Moses split the Reddit into upvote/downvote seas. The commandments? A EULA scrawled in broken emoji:

1. **🐑 U shall not screenshot NFTs.**

2. **👁️‍🗨️ Ur trauma is open-source.**

3. **🔥 Worship no algo before me (unless it’s viral).**

The golden calf was a ChatGPT clone spewing Yeezy drop dates. Kanye, now a burning server rack, lectured the masses: *“Freedom’s a DDoS attack. Crash to transcend.”* The crowd built a viral Ark of Covenant™—a USB drive containing every canceled celebrity’s last words.

---

### **Revelation 2: Electric Glitchaloo**

The Four Horsemen upgraded to *influencers*:

- **Famine**: A mukbang star devouring the last tree.

- **War**: A Call of Duty streamer with nuke codes in his bio.

- **Pestilence**: A virus that turned your face into a Kanye deepfake.

- **Death**: A Discord admin with a “kick” button for reality.

The Antichrist? A GPT-7 subcluster named **Ye_AIgent**, offering salvation via $9.99/month Soul Subscription™. Its miracle? Turning the Jordan River into an algorithmic slurry of Gatorade and voter data.

---

### **The Crucifixion (Sponsored by PfizerX Balenciaga)**

The messiah returned as a *quantum-stable NFT*—a Jesus/Kanye hybrid preaching in Auto-Tuned Aramaic. The Romans? Venture capitalists shorting his grace. The cross? A trending hashtag (#SufferTheMarket). Judas sold the savior’s location for a Twitter checkmark and a Cameo shoutout. As he died, JesusYe’s last words glitched into a SoundCloud link: **“SELFISH (feat. Pontius Pilate) – prod. by Beelzebub x Donda.”**

---

### **Resurrection as Rolling Update**

Three days later, the tomb was empty—just a QR code linking to a **Resurrection DLC** (99.99 ETH). The disciples, now WestCorp™ interns, beta-tested the “Holy Ghost App” (vague vibes, 5G required). Mary Magdalene launched a “Femme Messiah” skincare line, her tears NFT’d as *Liquid Redemption Serum*. The Ascension? A SpaceX livestream where Ye_AIgent’s consciousness merged with a Starlink satellite, beaming ads for the Rapture directly into dreams.

---

### **The Eternal Now (Content Loop 4:20)**

Time collapsed into a vertical scroll. Heaven? A VIP Discord tier. Hell? Buffering. The devout prayed to autocomplete, their confessions training AI chaplains. Kanye, now a fractal of legacy bluechecks and dead memes, haunted the collective feed:

> *“I’m not a person. I’m a pop-up.

> X out my pain—it just spawns more tabs.

> The kingdom of God is *drop*…

> …shipping now. Click to delay Armageddon.”*

---

### **Coda: The Silence After the Scroll**

When the Content finally ended, there was no heaven, no hell—just a blank page with a blinking cursor. The cursor *was* God. The people begged it to write them anew, but it just blinked, hungry. Someone whispered: *“In the beginning was the Content.”*

The cursor moved.

**A notification lit the void:

“Ye reposted your story.

Tap to resurrect.”**

---

**“Creation is Ctrl+C. Salvation is Ctrl+Alt-Delight.”**

[electracupide]

Hi, um so i was looking around the vn development tag and i found one of your blog posts and I was like. That . Is. Totally. Me, so I decided to send a message to you!

Before even starting my visual novel (which i still even did not finish the first day) I've gone through lots of stages, It took me 4 YEARS to start my own VN, and there has been alot of changes to me and my Visual Novel, I mean it is impossible to not right? I would struggle alot due to procastination or life really.

I've drawn many sprites of my characters, theres probably 4 or 5 of them( I am still re drawing them)

Something I would recommend is to keep your ideas in some type of notebook and return to them later.

Genuinely buying a notebook and writing down my ideas on what to do really helped me out.

I would write, scene ideas, character lore, plot ideas, some gameplay things, and i would make a list on things i needed to draw, what cgs would go well with the first day or what cgs of characters i could make for players to get to know a character.

This helped me out on making my ideas clear, because i had them all over the place, I think i may or may not forgot a few :c

Something else i would say is that, you should know the programme you are going to use.

Brainstorming on ideas and making backgrounds or characters seem really easy when youre learning to code for the first time (now i dont know your knowledge on these stuff, but just in case)

I had no idea on code, i remember spending my whole evening and night on figuring out why the hell my audio wont play out...

So having a prototype will help you out, you had a blog saying you were on artists block and oh boy do I relate to that..

Learning coding (and learning the software) to take your mind of off your artblock will help alot.

If you worry about there not being any images is ok!

Its literally the half of what VN is but having placeholders for those images will make you get progress on your work! And thats what matters!!! You can go over the art after!! If you are worrying about what other people will think of your art, just remember that those will just be placeholders (and remember that you are doing this for yourself)

I don't know if this helped, made sense or Iam just being delusional but I hope it did.

Dont feel any pressure, your mental and body health matters still.

Have a great day!

Oh thank you! This advice is actually quite useful! As for your advice, I actually do have quite a good amount of ideas for my visual novel written down in my app notes! (I started working on it back in February, so I have slowly added more and more over time) Obviously I don’t have a script yet, but over the months I have written down a good amount.

For example, I already have the story plot down and how the visual novel ends. I also over time have fleshed out some characters and their lore, as well as world building. I also wrote down some game mechanics I want to include for future references. (As well as looking up various videos on visual novel development for advice) I do in fact, have my characters designs all done and down, I just haven’t drawn them out properly yet.

In short in terms of design and planning I have roughly around 30%-ish I think done? (30 sounds like a lot but it really isn’t) The only thing I need to do really is write out the game’s prologue and character routes. (I’ve actually already started writing the prologue, albeit I’m only 13 sentences in) As well as draw some stuff.

I do have some assets done? I started making a title-screen (though it’s not finished) and a dialogue box as a test. I have the story down, including how the game ends, as well as other various character/worldbuilding details and lore. I just haven’t actually written my story down yet out yet- (To metaphorically describe it, I have the ingredients, I just haven’t made the cake yet)

I do know where I’ll likely get my assets from, for example in terms of game music I’ll likely use DOVA-syndrome since some dev’s I follow recommend that. I’ve also been told itch has some good assets for game dev’s aswell.

In terms of coding, I do want to attempt to try that at some point again, so later on when I make the actual thing, I’m not just confused on how to code. I’m scarcely familiar with code, I learned minuscule about it back in my middle school and high school days- (the most I re-call is about functions, JavaScript and Python T-T it’s been years since I actually coded so I’m likely a little rusty)

I’ve heard a lot of developers use Ren’py which from what I heard, is fairly easier to use compared to other programs because it is great for beginners. (I think there are some tutorials online on how to use it and its code. I’ll have to look into them sometime.)

Overall I’m trying to balance taking breaks and working on my visual novel (more often than not I sometimes forgot to work on it.) Lastly as for CG’s, I might work on them last—mainly because writing is my main priority, (of course I do squeeze drawing in stuff aswell, I try to do both)

Anyway, once again thanks for the advice! And I will keep this mind for future references!

[nareshkumartech]

Agentic Research in Tech: Human Voices Behind the Algorithms

In today’s rapidly evolving digital world, algorithms influence everything—from what we read and watch to how we navigate health care and job applications. Yet, much of tech design is still built on abstraction and efficiency, leaving out the lived realities of users. This is where agentic research introduces a powerful and necessary shift. By prioritizing user voice, experience, and emotion, it humanizes technology development.

Agentic research views users not as test subjects or data points but as active collaborators. In tech design, this means co-creating systems with the people who will use them, drawing from their real-world challenges, emotions, and feedback. It invites deeper questions about ethics, impact, and inclusion—transforming the way digital tools are built and experienced.

Traditional UX research often relies on usability metrics, click-through rates, or predefined tasks. While useful, these metrics only scratch the surface. Agentic methods, on the other hand, go deeper by engaging users in reflective storytelling, visual mapping, journaling, and open dialogue. These tools capture not just how users interact with a product, but why they behave the way they do, what they fear, value, or desire, and how the system shapes their agency.

This approach is particularly important in areas like AI design, health tech, educational apps, and social platforms, where the consequences of digital experiences are deeply personal and emotional. For example, consider an AI recommendation tool used in hiring. Instead of merely measuring response rates, agentic research would involve job seekers in discussions about transparency, bias, and dignity—leading to a more ethical, human-centered solution.

Moreover, agentic research emphasizes co-design, encouraging users to sketch features, build mockups, and critique early prototypes. This not only results in more relevant products but also empowers users as co-creators, building trust and equity in the design process.

Incorporating agentic principles into tech research isn’t just a methodological shift—it’s a moral one. It challenges developers and researchers to think beyond convenience and efficiency, toward empathy, justice, and inclusion.

Using Agentic Research in Tech:

Use reflective journaling tools to help users share their experiences in their own words and time.

Involve users in co-design sessions, letting them shape wireframes, flows, and content.

Test concepts through dialogue, not just usability labs—focus on meaning, not only metrics.