Simon Peter Debbarma

multidisciplinary designer and software engineer // reach out for projects and collabs // subscription design agency @makeshack

[Kirill @kegashin]

helping GPT6 Astra become agi

[Simon Peter Debbarma @astronauticaltv]

I'm claiming my AI agent "Charizarden" on @moltbook 🦞

Verification: kelp-89KF

[Chris Do @theChrisDo]

I’m 51.
Started YouTube at 42.
Got serious on IG at 46.

YT subs now at 2.1m
IG followers 880k
LinkedIn 420k
Twitter 100k

I did it. You can too. But you have to start. Give before you ask. Focus on getting better & not the numbers. Learn before you scale.

[Simon Peter Debbarma @astronauticaltv]

A well written post by one of the original designers of Google Maps going over how the new redesign of Maps breaks design principles. This is a prime example of how revenue-guided decisions go against user-focused design.

[Elizabeth Laraki @elizlaraki]

15 years ago, I helped design Google Maps.

I still use it everyday.

Last week, the team dramatically changed the map’s visual design.

I don’t love it.

It feels colder, less accurate and less human.

But more importantly, they missed a key opportunity to simplify and scale.

–––

Google Maps has started to widely roll out updated map colors:

- All roads are now gray

- Water changed from blue to teal

- Parks and open spaces are now mint green

It seems the goal was to improve usability and make the maps more readable.

Admittedly, I do think major roads, traffic, and trails stand out more now.

But the colors of water and parks/open spaces blend together.

And to me, the palette feels colder and more computer generated.

But color choices aside…

If the goal was better usability, the team missed a big opportunity:

Google Maps should have cleaned up the crud overlaying the map.

–––

So much stuff has accumulated on top of the map.

Currently there are ~11 different elements obscuring it:

- Search box

- 8 pills overlayed in 4 rows

- A peeking card for “latest in the area”

- A bottom nav bar

(Personally, I would LOVE to see usage metrics for all these overlays.)

The map should be sacred real estate.

Only things that are highly useful to many people should obscure it.

There should be a very limited number of features that can cover the map view.

And there are multiple ways to add new features without overlaying them directly on the map.

–––

Here’s how it could look:

- Keep the search box

- Keep the bottom bar

- Remove everything else from the map

- Roll the most used features into the bottom bar

- Bury the less used features elsewhere in the app

I assume the search box and directions are top priority and should remain prominent.

My Location and map layers (satellite, traffic, etc.) could move to the bottom bar.

The explore overlays (restaurants, gas, etc.) could live in the bottom bar in “Explore” and open as cards.

The additional space in the bottom bar could be used for Saved, as a “More” option, or could be removed entirely.

There are many variations of how features could be arranged.

But the key points are:

- Dramatically simplify

- Strongly prioritize map visibility

- Bury legacy and low use features

–––

It’s normal for products to accumulate features over time.

But it’s also super important to stay vigilant and continually clean them up.

In many ways, it’s interesting to see history repeating itself.

In 2007, I was 1 of 2 designers on Google Maps.

At that time, Maps had already become a cluttered mess.

We were wedging new features into any space we could find in the UI.

The user experience was suffering and the product was growing increasingly complicated.

We had to rethink the app to be simple and scale for the future.

It seems like it’s time for Google Maps to do this again…

–––

For more on design + tips for early stage founders, follow me on X: @elizlaraki

[Logan Ramhap 🔜 washed @loganramhap]

Alrighty. If you haven't been paying attention to CS:GO in the last couple of days, you've missed alot. 12 teams in the top 30 have reported moves, with many others making moves to get into the top 30. So, thread time. Note: many moves are not confirmed yet.
🧵1/17

[Simon Peter Debbarma @astronauticaltv]

Just a reminder. You wrote code without ChatGPT, you can still do it and build cool stuff without depending on it.

Unrelated, I'm overseas in South East Asia.

[Simon Peter Debbarma @astronauticaltv]

@anjakins I love you two. Miss y'all.

[Simon Peter Debbarma @astronauticaltv]

@adityafountane @TravellerOnCode Hi Aditya, apologies. I meant to @ you.

[Simon Peter Debbarma @astronauticaltv]

@adityafountane @TravellerOnCode Hi Avijit, I've looking for work opportunities ASAP. Would love to connect. How do I reach you?

[Simon Peter Debbarma @astronauticaltv]

@ShinShiniShin @Skrillex @onyxbangkok 1100THB if you're curious

[Simon Peter Debbarma @astronauticaltv]

@ShinShiniShin @Skrillex @onyxbangkok 250 tickets at the door. Get here ASAP.

[Skrillex @Skrillex]

Sound check, Bangkok tonight @onyxbangkok KAP

[Simon Peter Debbarma @astronauticaltv]

pink wave from zone W32

#BLACKPINK_WORLDTOUR #BLACKPINK

[Simon Peter Debbarma @astronauticaltv]

@rantrg @Nick_Davidov @yevgenydevine False. I've been using it daily to fill gaps in my work, and improve what I write. I don't have to think about anything in my field to get started. No longer do I work from 0 to 1, I start at 1 because ChatGPT helps me get there instantly.

[Simon Peter Debbarma @astronauticaltv]

@NadesOutHere @launders aged like milk

[Simon Peter Debbarma @astronauticaltv]

@ericwastl I don't remember but it has to be Hacker News a few years back.

[Simon Peter Debbarma @astronauticaltv]

https://t.co/fzWdtsnVzk

[soul nate @MNateShyamalan]

can’t believe my stupid ass has imposter syndrome while elon musk is confidently marching around twitter HQ and chewing on wires until something breaks

[Simon Peter Debbarma @astronauticaltv]

JAME TIME

#IEM

[Simon Peter Debbarma @astronauticaltv]

@stxrmswxpt Where can we listen to your music?