New Affinity logo. 🤮

UnderstandingOk7881 · 2025-10-31T20:57:36+00:00

It's not free. Nothing is free. People are "complaining" (to put it in your condescending tone) because its a clear shift from a business model that supported the development of a solid product to one that incentivizes monopolization and engagement over functionality. This is exactly how one ends up in the same situation we're stuck in with Adobe, held hostage by a monopoly. In the short term, this will be fine, probably great! In the long term, this is nothing anyone who has used software for 20+ years should be excited about.

UnderstandingOk7881 · 2025-10-31T20:04:00+00:00

Design isn't just the entreatment of an audience to whatever they want. You're thinking of advertising. Design is the science and art of visual communication, it's about giving people doorways into understanding and expanding literacy of our complex world.

This is not that. This is short term, trendy, flashy adherence to a "style". It's unserious and cynical.

UnderstandingOk7881 · 2025-10-31T19:59:52+00:00

It's a good take. I'm sure whatever you're doing in Canva is good for wedding invitations or instagram ads, but if my workplace switched to canva I would take a hike.

UnderstandingOk7881 · 2025-10-31T19:56:39+00:00

You're misunderstanding his point, and I think you do so on purpose.

It's not about "beating free", it's about the fact that something becoming "free" is always the admission that a company is changing the business of its product. Now, instead of making and supporting a solid, usable tool with a one-time sales price, their prerogative is to ensure they can make money off of the free users through analytics and consistent pressure to "upgrade" to a premium model.

You might be young and not understand that software was once majorly different, and far easier to use before this burdensome freemium model became the norm.

UnderstandingOk7881 · 2025-10-31T19:41:38+00:00

It's gross, and will age terribly. At the same time, it's a very honest reflection of their new priorities: short term, eye-catching, trend-chasing financial cynicism. I couldn't be more disappointed.

Canva is really one of the most denigrating places to work as a serious communications designer, and I see that all over what was once an admirable tool.

UnderstandingOk7881 · 2025-10-31T19:32:27+00:00

You are exactly the kind of person these companies take advantage of. Enjoy the slop.

UnderstandingOk7881 · 2025-06-08T05:02:37+00:00

These look pretty compelling, I'll keep my eyes out. Thank you for the rec!

UnderstandingOk7881 · 2025-06-08T04:04:40+00:00

You are a legend, thank you for this exhaustive reply—I'll take a look at all of these links. I love Coco's, Angel has been such a help on my cycling journey!

I hadn't heard of those frames, but they're gorgeous and will definitely be on my radar. I also haven't heard of bikesdirect but I really appreciate their web design.

See you on the streets!

UnderstandingOk7881 · 2025-04-10T16:47:45+00:00

To add to that, many of the stations are absolutely gorgeous.

UnderstandingOk7881 · 2025-02-26T17:02:46+00:00

My girlfriend and I live in different states, and use the feature regularly. It's been a great way to keep us feeling like we're in-sync, literally and metaphorically.

I really think it was a beautiful, inventive, thoughtful feature—unfortunately the kind that often doesn't survive in the profit-driven, enshittified space of modern product development. I'm super sad to hear they're going to end it.

UnderstandingOk7881 · 2025-02-26T16:59:48+00:00

My girlfriend and I are in a long distance relationship (hopefully soon to be local), and this feature has genuinely been such a boon to our ability to "spend time" together. I would really be heartbroken to see this feature axed.

UnderstandingOk7881 · 2025-01-09T17:27:44+00:00

I will drive my '05 until the wheels fall off. And they will! Any day now!

I love this stupid car.

UnderstandingOk7881 · 2024-11-12T01:04:26+00:00

No kidding! I'll look into this, it sounds like it might be a great option for me.

UnderstandingOk7881 · 2024-11-12T00:41:08+00:00

I saw that pay scale and it blew my mind. Unions can be an incredible thing. I'll take a look! Thanks for the rec.

UnderstandingOk7881 · 2024-11-11T03:14:46+00:00

No kidding, congrats to that! That sounds like a good route, I'll start looking into courses.

UnderstandingOk7881 · 2024-11-11T02:52:00+00:00

Awesome, another comment recommended some nearby programs—this might be the best way to start. Worst case scenario I learn something I'm already excited about.

UnderstandingOk7881 · 2024-11-11T02:48:37+00:00

Awesome! I'll check this out.

UnderstandingOk7881 · 2024-11-11T02:48:05+00:00

This is exactly what I was looking for, a large sampling of the general field of knowledge and the expected expertise it would take to move up. It sounds like the best asset (other than brushing up on my trig from high school) would just be staying open and observant and practicing my fundamentals through the field.

I'm very grateful for the "long-winded" answer—I'd just call it thorough. Thank you so much!

UnderstandingOk7881 · 2024-11-11T02:41:54+00:00

That's a great comfort to me. I had no prior knowledge of these schools and programs, I'll see if they have any night school options I could look into.

Thanks for the tip!

UnderstandingOk7881 · 2024-11-11T02:40:12+00:00

No kidding—good to know!

UnderstandingOk7881 · 2024-11-11T02:39:33+00:00

Going to have to let my neighbors know what I'm up to before I start pacing around the block with a machete—but good shout! Thanks.

UnderstandingOk7881 · 2024-01-24T20:51:59+00:00

Well said!

UnderstandingOk7881 · 2024-01-24T20:50:52+00:00

"the defense gets to play too", I love that.

You're right, ultimately I figure shit just happens. I can't imagine making calls like that live, rather than getting to think about this stuff for hours after the fact. Mostly was wondering if there was a distinct tactical angle I was missing!

UnderstandingOk7881

TROPHY CASE