Leo

Yesterday, I sent out a <a href="https://bradfrost.com/newsletter/">newsletter</a> and wanted to share it here too because HOLY CRAP. It's been nearly two months since I've published a newsletter or substantive blog post, to which I say, “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDGlN6mluGA">No sir, I don't like it</a>.” I'm tired of saying I'm busy (it's unhealthy, not a badge of honor), but it continues to be the truth. Just how busy, you ask? Well, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryyYeJGEkQQ&list=PLRVyFmnlMfe0lMYaPF6zcT2JVUdpAjg9-&index=5">I had a fantastic conversation with Don Norman</a> (one of my all-time heroes whom I owe my career to) and literally haven't talked about it at all. Oof. I've had to learn the hard way that there's a reason why people seclude themselves in cabins to create big projects. So while I'm still hunkered down with my big projects, my <a href="https://bradfrost.com/blog/post/blog-alarm-clock/">alarm clock</a> went off so I need to come up for air, say hey, and share some big updates. <h2 id="exciting-news-my-website-looks-like-crap">Exciting news: my website looks like crap!</h2> If you visit <a href="https://bradfrost.com/">bradfrost.com</a>, you'll see that it looks like crap. Believe it or not, that's intentional. <figure> <picture><source type="image/avif" srcset="https://bradfrost.com/images/ig9o0KuN5Z-960.avif 960w"><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://bradfrost.com/images/ig9o0KuN5Z-960.webp 960w"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://bradfrost.com/images/ig9o0KuN5Z-960.png" alt="A screenshot of Brad's work-in-progress website that kinda intentionally looks like crap." width="960" height="693"></picture> <figcaption>I even got the old-school construction GIF in there.</figcaption> </figure> My website has been my online home and primary means of expression for my entire adult life. Which is why it's a big deal to say that after 19 YEARS (🤯) of bradfrost.com running on WordPress, I just migrated the website to the fantastic Eleventy. (Now's a perfect time to subscribe/update via RSS). With the platform migration done, I'm now redesigning/rebuilding it using our <a href="https://ds.bradfrost.com/">Eddie design system</a> as video lessons for our <a href="https://aidesignsystems.com/">AI & Design Systems course</a>. I'm putting my money where my mouth is: walking through the entire end-to-end process of the most important website in my life (and the lifeblood of my business), teaching how to use design systems & AI together to make a beautiful, effective, and successful website. <h2 id="chapter-3-of-ai-and-design-systems-is-done">Chapter 3 of AI & Design Systems is done!</h2> Speaking of our AI & Design Systems course, Chapter 3 is complete! It contains over FOUR HOURS of in-depth video detailing how to wield AI to improve your design system foundations. We're now entering the home stretch of course production, running bi-weekly community jam sessions, and growing a helpful & supportive community. <a href="https://aianddesign.systems/">Join us</a>! <h2 id="my-atomic-design-certification-course-is-done">My Atomic Design Certification Course is done!</h2> Oh! Here's yet-another HUGE thing I haven't had even a second to share: my <a href="https://atomicdesigncourse.com/">Atomic Design Certification Course</a> is finally complete! AAAAHHH!!!! The course contains over 10 hours of videos, sample architecture, and resources for how to master design systems: concepts, architecture, process. All backed up by a shitload of hard-earned first-hand experience. Right now, my team and I are QA-ing the included sample design system architecture in both Figma and code and putting a bow on things to get it ready for the actual launch. Consider this the last window to <a href="https://atomicdesigncourse.com/order/">get the course for a comically-low price of $50</a> before the price increases to $150. You can also get <a href="https://courses.bradfrost.com/order?ct=ec9d4f88-b76a-4c94-9dfb-187186eef9e4">ALL of our courses at a discount here</a>. <h2 id="so-many-wake-up-excited-episodes">SO many Wake Up Excited! episodes</h2> I haven't been totally under a rock. In fact, I've been having utterly amazing conversations on <a href="https://wakeupexcited.com/">Wake Up Excited!</a> Do yourself a favor and listen to what these brilliant people have to say: <ul> <li><a href="https://wakeupexcited.show/episodes/18-sacha-judd/">Sacha Judd</a> on fandom and building healthy online communities</li> <li><a href="https://wakeupexcited.show/episodes/19-dan-saffer/">Dan Saffer</a> on teaching the design of AI</li> <li><a href="https://wakeupexcited.show/episodes/20-abby-covert/">Abby Covert</a> on community & being human at work</li> <li><a href="https://wakeupexcited.show/episodes/21-don-norman/">Don Norman</a> on ideas, design for good, & meta-communities</li> <li><a href="https://wakeupexcited.show/episodes/22-luke-murphy/">Luke Murphy</a> on creativity, ADHD, and ethics</li> <li><a href="https://wakeupexcited.show/episodes/23-luke-wroblewski/">Luke Wroblewski</a> on the evolution and pace of technology</li> <li><a href="https://wakeupexcited.show/episodes/24-afyia-smith/">Afyia Smith</a> on human resiliency and docs-first design systems</li> <li><a href="https://wakeupexcited.show/episodes/25-ridd/">Ridd</a> on designers' shifting role</li> </ul> Whew! Keeping on theme with this update, my podcast just turned 1! Just one more thing I haven't talked about or celebrated. But for its birthday, I'd love it if you subscribe to the show on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRVyFmnlMfe0lMYaPF6zcT2JVUdpAjg9-">YouTube</a> and <a href="https://podcast.wakeupexcited.show/subscribe">audio</a>! And oh yeah, speaking of YouTube, I now have TWO YouTube channels: <ul> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@brad_frost">Brad Frost</a> - my main channel where I share ideas, design, have conversations, and more</li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeExhaust">Creative Exhaust</a> - which widens my existing <a href="https://coldalbumdrumming.com/">Cold Album Drumming</a> project to include all of my musical and artistic shenanigans. Still very much WIP, you can watch me play music here!</li> </ul> <h2 id="is-that-it">Is that it???</h2> At the beginning of this year, I <a href="https://bradfrost.com/blog/post/declaring-systems-bankruptcy/">declared systems bankruptcy</a> and I've spent the entire year blowing up, overhauling, building, and bolstering all of the infrastructure and systems in my life and work. It's been difficult-yet-necessary work to do alongside getting our real projects out the door. All of this systems work is starting to bear fruit and will hopefully result in a saner, more sustainable pace moving forward. Holy shit, it better! With this whirlwind of activity, my body, mind, and soul are looking forward to a much-needed break. Thankfully, next week I get to be a beach bum at the Outer Banks on our long-standing annual family vacation. I hope your summer has been going well and that you've been doing interesting and restorative things! See ya soon.