Join the podcast with Alex Cornell, where he delves into communication, storytelling in design, and his journey from video production to design. Discover his startup Cocoon, the precision in his work, generative AI at Meta, and more. Explore his wild videos at Facebook, lessons from designing mobile apps, and the mental models he uses for narratives. Dive into his favorite fonts, type foundries, and the challenges of transitioning to new mediums in design.
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Quick takeaways
Effective storytelling in design is crucial for reaching audiences, emphasizing the power of communication over intricate processes.
Innovative app design is enriched through exposure to diverse influences like music genres, broadening the designer's artistic palette.
The decision to return to Meta reflects a strategic shift towards familiar, yet intensely engaging, professional environments, contrasting startup dynamics.
Deep dives
Designing Websites with Figma to Framer Plugin
Designing websites in Framer allows users to copy and paste designs from Figma using the Figma to Framer plugin. This seamless process involves selecting desired layers in Figma, running the plugin, pasting into Framer, and then straight to publishing on the internet, offering a magical experience available at dive .club slash framer.
Masterclass in Communication and Storytelling
Alex Cornell's podcast episode delves into the finer details of communication, emphasizing the importance of hidden knobs that can be tweaked. He highlights the significance of focusing on how an idea reaches the audience, showcasing storytelling skills honed through music and video productions for startups like Uber Conference, illustrating the power of effective communication over intricate processes.
Technical Growth and Repetition in App Design
Over six years spent creating apps, including Substack, Linear, and Cocoon, the technical growth as a designer has been substantial. Through the repetitive process of iterating several app components like composers and setting screens, the designer cultivated a vast repertoire of design elements, enabling the selection of proven design ingredients for new app creations.
Impact of Music and Design Consumption on Design Practice
Consuming music and actively engaging with diverse design elements contribute to broadening a designer's artistic palette and strategic decision-making. Just as varied music styles influence musical compositions, exposure to novel app designs like Amy's calendar app can spark innovative UI explorations, illustrating the significant impact of diverse design influences on design choices.
Reflection on Design Journey and Return to Meta
Reflecting on experiences in the startup world and exploring varied design challenges, the decision to return to Meta (formerly Facebook) was driven by factors like reuniting with inspiring colleagues, a familiar and stimulating design space like AI, and a preference for in-person collaboration. The return to Meta signifies a strategic shift to a familiar, yet intensely engaging professional environment, providing a refreshing contrast to startup dynamics.
When you think about storytelling in design... Alex Cornell is often the person that comes to mind. And that's a big reason why he's one of the most requested guests on the show. So this episode is a deep dive into the finer details of communication. We talk about:
The story behind his startup Cocoon
How Alex leverages his background in video
Alex’s precision and obsession with language
Why Alex left linear to work on generative AI at Meta
Why getting buy-in for your ideas is kind of like a math proof
Behind-the-scenes of the wild videos Alex made at Facebook
Lessons learned designing the Substack and Linear mobile apps
The mental models Alex uses to construct compelling narratives