This week we talk about feeling impostor syndrome as a manager and Dark themes vs Light themes.

This week we talk at length about the Facebook redesign. We also finally talk about The Rise of Skywalker trailer.

This week we talk about how sometimes you have to be irrational to make something great. We also circle back to Rafa's Avengers Endgame predictions.

This week we talk about why it seems like we're seeing fewer and fewer UI innovations and how there might hopefully be a silver lining in all of this. We also discuss Figma's UI refresh.

This week Kevin has a contrarian opinion on the Staples logo reveal video and we talk about John Maeda's comments on the importance of design. Finally, Rafa gets his theory about Avengers Endgame on the record.

Short show this week. We follow our tradition of picking apart the details of Apple's announcements: News+, Arcade, Card and TV+.

This week, Rafa tells us all about his recent experience using Android for a few weeks: what he liked, what he didn't like and we finish by answering some listener questions.

This week the internet gods blessed us with a ton of design-related news just in time for our recording. We talk about Sketch's new funding announcement and what it means for the world of design tools, Twitter's new camera UI, privacy-focused social networks and the return of Mac apps.

This week we talk about org structures and how it affects us as designers. We also talk about the Revolut drama and Apple News' new upcoming app icon.

This week we talk a bit more about foldable phones, how Slack is messing with our homescreen again, and then ultimately get into a big conversation about which things in our life we'd like to outsource.

This week we talk about growing up to become your parents, getting emotional, the pitfalls of fame, Samsung's foldable phone and more.

This week Rafa shares two lessons he's learned as a first time manager, then we talk about some recurring trends in design student portfolios.

This week we talk about Kevin’s experience giving a big talk and then we talk about our evolving relationship with social media.

The wait is over! We know you couldn't wait for our takes on the new Slack logo and boy we've delivered. We also talk about the state of criticism on the Internet.

This week we talk about Rafa becoming the head of design at Netlify, setting expectations for a new role, CRMs for people, sonic toothbrushes and kitchen knives.

This week we eat breakfast. Lots of it. We discuss Rafa’s already obsolete TV, pos-purchase monetization and the impact on consumers, the death of privacy and Kevin finally gives an update on his new portfolio that was supposed to ship months ago.

This week, Rafa is back on Twitter and Kevin takes this opportunity to fill him in on all of the design news he missed like the Push Pin Emoji Detour meme, the horizontal Instagram feed debacle, a study on the impact of Flat Design and Pantone’s new color of the year. Oh and we also talk about Bandersnatch.

It's a holiday miracle! As a special bonus episode for the Holidays, we play a zombie text adventure game. We're joined by special guest Débora Ribeiro.

Our third annual Layouties! We look back at some of our favorite things of the year and give them awards.

This week we talk about being busy & the impact it has on us, tech companies making custom typefaces and IRL accessibility problems.

This week we talk about approaching large scale design problems, Kevin's email rant, Facebook's Blueprint for Content Governance and Google's Night Sight.

This week we talk about Rafa's totally predictable purchase, the growing realization that most design problems are actually content problems, pop songs getting more repetitive and Amazon employees buying condos in Long Island City.

Kevin is back from San Francisco, so we finally talk about our first impressions on the new iPad Pro, the Detective Pikachu trailer and the new Leica Q-P.

This week we follow up on genderless pronouns in different languages (or lack thereof) and talk about what we would do if we weren't designers.

This week we talk about the realities of traveling for work, Photoshop on the iPad, Adidas's 'new' webdesign style, the Palm phone and we have a very special upside down.

This week we briefly continue our discussion about design tools, then talk about custom Apple Watch Faces, the Habitat 67 architecture and of course, our recommendation of the week.

This week we talk about a few main design tools: Adobe XD, InVision Studio, Framer X, Figma and Sketch.

This week we got to record in person from Amsterdam. We talk our experience at Framer Loupe, Rafa's new Apple Watch, and Solo (hopefully for the last time).

This week we talk about the Apple Event, Apple Watch Series 4, iPhone Xs and Xs Max and the iPhone Xʀ.

This week we talk about open offices, the Mastodon client we're working on and more punishment suggestions for Kevin.

This week we talk about Kevin's punishment for not shipping his website, how all advice is kind of terrible and Rafa explains Mastodon for the rest of us.

This week we talk about the sad state of Twitter and our desire for something to come and replace it.

This week we talk about Kevin's experience leading a new team and the challenges that came with it.

This week we talk about our thoughts on sugar coated design feedback and Firefox's new brand system.

This week we discuss the topic of creativity, what inspires us and how we cultivate it. We also briefly discuss our early thoughts on Framer X based on the announcement.

This week we talk about problems. How do you know you truly understand them? When is the right time to jump into solution mode? We also briefly talk about Solo: A Star Wars Story.

How do you stay motivated by working on a mature and large project? How do you handle working in a language that isn't your native language? How do you decorate your apartment? This week we answer more listener questions!

Should your portfolio have long UX case studies or focus on lots of imagery? How do you know when you have too much on your plate and how do you push back confidently? This week we answer some listener questions, review some socks and finally talk about the Westworld finale.

This week we talk about the challenges with onboarding new designers onto your team, the official "Layout Redesign Your Website Month™" and episode 9 of Westworld season 2.

This week Rafa redesigned his website, so we revisit the topic of personal websites, setting goals for side projects, todo list management techniques and Kevin's thoughts on museum design. We also discuss episode 8 of Westworld season 2.

This week we're joined once again by special guest Tim Van Damme to talk about how UI design is fashion, and Apple's WWDC 2018 announcements: iOS 12, macOS Mojave and watchOS 5.

As promised, this is our special episode discussing episode 4 and 5 of Westworld season 2. We're joined by special guest Débora, Rafa's girlfriend.

This week Kevin join Rafa in person in Porto for this IRL episode. We talk about what's wrong with A/B tests and spend way too much time discussing socks.

This week we talk about what qualifies a designer as a senior designer, how Google Duplex might not be that creepy after all, Jony Ive's controversial Hodinkee interview and of course, episode 4 of Westworld season 2.

This week we tackle the topic of learning design. We also talk about the swipe up gesture in instagram, opinionated design and episode 3 of Westworld season 2.

Layout turns a hundred episodes old so we invited some listeners to join us to talk about sustaining side projects. We also talk about how the show started and of course: everyone's recommendations.

This week we talk about what is the best way to showcase UX work in a portfolio, letting your personality show in your work and on social media and exploring other design-adjacent interests. We also discuss the first episode of Westworld season 2.

This week we talk about Impostor Syndrome, quitting social media for a week and Ready Player One.

This week we answer some listener questions. Topics include: OKRs, 1:1s, and performance reviews.

How do you know when it's time to leave your company? While neither of us want to quit our job, we talk about our past experiences making these career moves.

This week we talk about the gear we use to do our work (desk, chairs, computers, etc.)

This week, we talk about being busy and how this is something we actively try to avoid. We also have some important shower dingus follow up, spend way too much time talking about the color of tennis balls and finally discuss our thoughts on Sketch 49.

This week we talk about the meaning of design titles (or lack thereof). We also finally talk about Black Panther.

This week we talk about traits we look for in the people we work with, and that Vero app.

This week we talk about the differences between marketing design and product design.

This week we talk about how your personality can influence your design style and whether or not being "type-cast" is a bad thing. Also, Kevin finally caved in and bought a HomePod.

This week we talk about hiring designers and having to review other people's portfolios, HomePod reviews and... shower handle design.

Launching our sticker store, dogfooding your own products and the mystery that is the HomePod.

This week we talk about introversion and how it affects different aspect of our life and work.

This week we talk about shipping side projects, not just working on them. We also talk about waking up early, sleep tracking and briefly touch on DARK (the Netflix show).

This week we talk about how challenging it is to keep adding new features without compromising on simplicity.

As we're coming back from our holiday break, this week our topic is vacations. We address unlimited vacation policies, that feeling of guilt that sometimes comes with taking vacations and our tricks for disconnecting.

As always, we close out the year by rounding up and giving “awards” to our favorite things of the year.

In this bonus episode, Kevin and Rafa talk about the new Star Wars movie: The Last Jedi. A 3h long, spoiler filled, holiday special.

This week we are joined by our friend Joel Califa to talk about the evolution of the designer role and the ethical dilemma of being a corporate designer. Joel is a product designer at GitHub, previously leading the design team at Digital Ocean.

This week we explore how do you grow in your career as a designer?

What it's like to work remotely, Rafa's shopping problem continues and... paperclips.

The main topic for this week: Meetings. And for our side dishes, we talk about how we feel about Stranger Things 2.

What to do when you disagree with someone on your team and our first impressions of the iPhone X.

For our main topic we talk about feeling like time is running out — getting old, with some iPhone pre-orders for side dishes.

Looking back at your old work, and hating what you see. Also, InVision Studio and the state of design tools.

This week we talk about process and try to pin down what makes certain processes good and others bad.

Our main topic this week is: How to make sure what you ship is not a crappier version of what you envisioned. We also talk a bit about the #MadeByGoogle event and Libraries in Sketch 47.

We've made the show better! More focus on design topics and a better onboarding for new users. Our main topic this week is how to receive design feedback. Of course, we also talked a bit about the Dropbox redesign.

After two years of making weekly episodes, one full year with Spec, it's time to regroup and think of how we can improve our show. We have some exciting ideas in the works, but we would really appreciate it if you could spare a couple seconds to give us some feedback.

This week we cover the new iPhone X, iPhone 8, and all the goodies from the most recent Apple event.

Sketch Libraries, Framer's new website and our Keynote draft for Apple's September 12th event.

Pixel Perfection, Rafa’s viral video technique™, our homescreens, and Kevin's London adventure.

This week Rafa and Kevin are joined by Michael Flarup to talk about public speaking and the newly released Speakerdex!

This week we talk about the state of purchasing fonts, HomePod firmware leak, and that Google memo.

Our personal design processes, design in an agile environment, getting ideas for side projects, and of course: iPhone rumors.

This week Rafa and Kevin talk about Contrast for Mac, and indie Mac development with a very special surprise in the middle.

HomeKit & smart things, typography & system fonts, and standing desks.

Kevin's iOS 11 design refresh, giving Dribbble a second chance, and a lot of talk about furniture.

Designing for the future with AR, and the 10th anniversary of the iPhone.

The new Design mode in Framer, Twitter's design update, winning the Shopify Hack Days and our thoughts on A Cure for Wellness.

Rafa and Kevin are joined by Ryan McLeod to talk about iOS 11, Apple Design Awards, and a lot more. Ryan is the creator of the iOS game Blackbox which just won an ADA 🎉

Our first impressions on the announcements made at WWDC17!

When a design "feels wrong", iOS 11 concept video and the winner of our giveaway!

Sketch 44, Things 3, iOS 11 predictions, and the new Apple Campus.

This week Rafa and Kevin go over the popular NYT quiz "Which Tech Giant Would You Drop?".

This week Rafa and Kevin talk about what goes into a big launch, the prep, the release, and what comes after.

In this very special episode, Kevin and Rafa are joined in person by Brian Lovin and Bryn Jackson from Design Details to talk about Spectrum, working with friends, and a 30 minute recommendation bonanza.

Our first ever Layout meetup, Designing in Components, Rafa's dotfiles adventure, Instagram Collections and The Last Jedi.

This week Rafa and Kevin talk about the future Mac Pro, Figma's new pricing, Dropbox's redesign and Dribbble + Crew. There's also a very important announcement at the end 🎈

Rafa bought a switch, of course. Also: We follow up on Electron apps, Rafa goes viral, Apple releases a Christmas phone, and Kevin discovers Westworld.

Our review of Kite Compositor, the Electron uprising on the desktop and whether or not Stories is a format.

This week Rafa and Kevin talk about rolling out a gradual redesign, the new Offscreen magazine, rumored new iPads and share their Apple software wishlist.

Following up from last week, we continue the discussion of IC vs Manager, and what comes with the manager hat.

Going from Individual Contributor to Manager/Lead. Also, Oscars' screw up and the winner of our Sketch Handbook giveaway.

Abstract, the “new” MacBook Pro, setting up new computers and Kevin's adventures in San Francisco.

Being good at one thing vs being ok at a lot, the new Framer.com and the original iPhone.

Presenting and selling your work. Also, Dribbble gets acquired, Juventus's new logo, Shopify Summit and Slack threads.

Feeling tired, and feeling guilty of feeling tired. Also: the crazy expectations of the Bay Area and Imposter Syndrome.

This week we go over our plans and resolutions for this new year, and HealthKit and Home Automation.

We end the year with our grand annual LAYOUTIES, an award show in which we present awards to the best of the year.

Kevin's gone viral, Out of office hours, Figma's new components, keeping up with the latest trends/technologies and a special announcement.

The automation of design tools, AIs taking over, and our design podcast recommendations.

Rafa's Rant™, ending your side-projects and our thoughts on UX vs UI.

Should designers have a porfolio?, Designed By Few 2016, Sketch 41 and Black Mirror S03E03.

New MacBook Pros, Apple getting out of the standalone display business and Black mirror S03E02.

Working nights and weekends, PlayStation VR and episode 1 of Black Mirror.

User Research, and Burning out.

What we carry in which pocket, Google announces its new Pixel phone and Samsung acquires Viv.

Spectacles, Figma 1.0, Twitter being bought, DJI's new drone, and SpaceX announcement.

We still haven't received our iPhones, Black vs Jet Black, Stripe's new website and the Leica Q.

We geek out over Apple's September announcements: Apple Watch series 2, iPhone 7 and the AirPods.

Dark patterns, 'Even over' statements and the iPhone 7's rumored dual camera system.

Instapaper joining Pinterest, whether or not 4 AM is our most productive hour, design livestreams and Kevin's Twitter Doppleganger.

A special announcement, Design Disruptors, Duo and designing with a vision.

Title case vs Sentence Case, Instagram Stories and Stranger Things.

Rafa gets sherlocked and we give tips for how to make the most of feedback sessions.

The vlogging and Youtube scene, slowing down apps by design, designing in public, Shopify’s UX Summit and of course Pokémon Go.

We start by talking a bit more about Apple Music in iOS 10, but ended up talking about consistency vs pushing boundaries in design.

We are joined by Tim Van Damme to talk all about Apple's WWDC 2016 announcements.

Conversational UIs, Kevin is building a bot, Pulls for macOS, and Rafa gets a new job.

Our take on Google I/O: Daydream, Allo, Duo, Home, Android N and more!

Instagram goes monochrome, Apple Music and Spotify design changes and Microsoft's new hover gestures.

Rafa's new Apple Watch game and some of the challenges that a designer goes through while building an app.

Origami Studio, syncing and sharing Sketch files with a team and the pros and cons of using a personal account versus a separate account for posting design work.

The all new Framer, Spotify v. Apple Music, and the new Rogue One trailer.

How to work and collaborate with developers and how to make sure your designs and expectations are followed-through.

Job interviews, how to get and prepare for them

The differences between independent, freelance, agencies, product companies and why you'd choose one over the other.

Uber's rebranding and Twitter's hypothetical algorithmic timeline.

Our design process, more thoughts on Figma and the Shopify Summit.

Desktop Neo, rethinking the desktop interface and Dribbble Playbook.

The future of Sketch and the story of how we got where we are today.

Designing in code, MacBook vs iPad pro as a secondary machine and Icon Design Awards.

Figma and the future of design tools.

The Force Awakens is finally here. We talk about the many things we liked, the few things that we didn't like and how we're so happy that Star Wars is back.

Design interviews, Mailbox officially shuts down, how we feel about personal websites and Apple's ugly new battery case.

This week we talk about the apps we use to get our work done.

Public Speaking, Photo editing apps, using the iPad Pro to design and a eulogy to Rdio.

RIP Ember, Twitter favorites (err likes) and the new Apple TV UI

Microsoft's autocomplete for animation, robots taking your job, and being a jack of all trades.

Twitter's latest announcements, Paper by Dropbox, YouTube Red, Framer's interesting new pricing model and the new Star Wars trailer.

Our take on Medium's latest design changes, Kevin's Apple Watch app is now in beta and Rafa gets his new iPhone.