Desk of Tobias von Schneider

The unexamined life is not worth living — From the Desk of van Schneider — Edition №259

Last week I wrote about "Style is the answer to everything", a short personal meditation on style and a subtle nod to one of my favorite poems by Charles Bukowski. If you missed it, I highly recommend you read it. You can now read it here on my

by Tobias van Schneider

Home devices don’t have to be ugly

Not long ago, home assistant devices felt futuristic. Now they’re hidden in corners out of sight, all cords and black plastic.

by Surya Anand

Custom portfolios launched with Semplice in September 2021

Every week, we handpick two portfolios created with Semplice to feature in our Showcase. Now we've selected the best of the best, the top design portfolios featured in the Showcase this month.

by Tobias van Schneider

Why we moved DESK magazine from WordPress to Ghost

If you read DESK closely enough, you know we recently moved our entire system from WordPress to the Ghost platform. Here's the how and why.

by Tobias van Schneider

Business card design: A rite of passage for any designer

"Look at that subtle off-white coloring. The tasteful thickness of it.”

by Tobias van Schneider

You can become a designer in 9 months – without leaving your current job

It wasn’t until recently you could even imagine pursuing a new career while working full-time in another one.

by Tobias van Schneider

Why studios and agencies love building their sites with Semplice

Agencies and studios usually launch with a hip, viral-worthy website. Check back in oh, five years or so and that website hasn't changed. Not a single part of it.

by Tobias van Schneider

How to instantly elevate your UX & UI designs

Half the work of a designer is presentation.

by Surya Anand

Beautiful online portfolios launched in August 2021

Every week, we handpick two portfolios created with Semplice to feature in our Showcase. Now we've selected the best of the best, the top design portfolios featured in the Showcase this month.

by Tobias van Schneider

Little portfolio tricks for new designers

As a designer, you're asked to solve problems all the time.

by Tobias van Schneider

The case against portfolio templates

Using a template for your portfolio does you and your work a disservice. I say it all the time. But you might assume (given the fact that I co-founded two portfolio tools that don't offer templates) that I say this to push my products.