Research, systems, and design thinking.
Long-form analysis and working perspectives on user experience, games, AI, creative technology, complex systems, and the changing relationship between creators, tools, and audiences.
Current perspectives
Owning the Stack: How We’re Building in the Post-Generative Creative Economy
Cryptic Design explores how creators and studios can survive the post-generative creative economy through ownership of IP, production systems, transmedia workflows, and audience infrastructure.
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2026 Game Experience Benchmarks: An Experiential Learning Approach
A systems-level analysis of 2026’s most important PC games, examined through experiential learning, UI design, and human–machine interaction.
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2026 ARC Raiders Player Experience Analysis
A systems-level analysis of player experience in ARC Raiders, focusing on interaction models, feedback systems, and cooperative affordances.
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When Tools Begin to Decide
As tools increasingly shape decisions for us, this article examines human agency, responsibility, and design intent in the age of AI-driven systems.
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Earlier writing, preserved with its original publication context.
AI in UX Design: The Future of Human Centered Digital Experiences
Personalization, predictive interfaces, and ethical questions in AI-assisted user experience design.
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Building Scalable UI Systems: A Guide to Design Tokens & Components
How design tokens and reusable components help interface systems stay consistent as products grow.
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How to Conduct a UX Audit: A Step-by-Step Guide
A practical approach to heuristic evaluation, usability testing, analytics, and user research.
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Holistic UX Design: Building Better User Experiences Through Systems Thinking
Connecting research, strategy, interaction design, and iteration through systems thinking.
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Shaping the Universe
Shaping the Universe.
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Video Games 2023 Q1 Cryptic Insights
A Q1 2023 perspective on AI-assisted development, live-service games, independent studios, and cross-platform play.
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Artificial Intelligence 2023 Q1 Cryptic Insights
A Q1 2023 overview of AI tools, key players, and philosophical questions.
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