design Archives | DOPAMINO

DESIGN EXCELLENCE IS A CHOICE OF EXCLUSION: THE “PIZZA HAWAII” RULE FOR DESIGN GOVERNANCE

dopamino — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 19:16:00 +0000

Dear reader,
Every time I’m out for a pint, I get asked the same thing: "Luigi, mate, what’s the big deal with pineapple on pizza?"

Most people think it’s a food debate. It’s not. It’s a Design Governance debate. That pineapple is a direct threat to Excellence—the exact kind of rogue request that wrecks your delivery velocity and burns your budget.

I’ve just posted about why true Design Excellence is actually a choice of exclusion. If you're tired of paying a "Technical Tax" for every dodgy, one-off component, this one is for you.

Have a read and let me know your thoughts. Just... don't bring the fruit, yeah?

Take care,
L

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THREE LEADERSHIP PATTERNS IN MANAGEMENT AND PARENTING: THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE BUDGET (AND THE LEVEL OF CHAOS)

dopamino — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 05:13:00 +0000

Dear reader,
I hope this message finds you well.

In this post, I'll continue to reflect on the leadership patterns in management and parenting that consistently connect these two worlds.

Whether you’re overseeing a team of 15 or wrangling two little rascals fighting over a Lego brick, the challenges you face are quite similar: nurturing growth in others while navigating uncertainty.

I explored three patterns, the first one isn’t just about being nice; it’s about strategic effectiveness. The second one is the toughest pattern for perfectionists, and as designers, we often set perfection as our sole benchmark. And the third one, simplifies my view of leadership, I’ve come to see it as the art of saying NO as a guiding principle.

Thank you for reading.

Take care,
L

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THE DESIGN PORTFOLIO

dopamino — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 14:16:58 +0000

Once upon a time, designers were labelled as "graphic/web designers". These folks created physical artefacts with a relatively longer life span. Their work could be showcased in analogue portfolios to help hiring teams form a decision and hire them. Fast-forward to today, where digital experiences dominate the landscape, and it's clear that the nature of design has shifted dramatically.

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BACKGROUND TASKS: HOW TO IMPROVE THE UX?

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 08:31:42 +0000

Background tasks often require significant technical resources for complex user journeys. They also require effort and focus from the user. In the next paragraphs, I will share my angle on the best design strategy to deliver a seamless background tasks user experience that unlocks business value

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UX AND RESPONSIVE DESIGN

dopamino — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 08:25:09 +0000

In the next paragraphs I will share my angle on the integration of user experience design in responsive web projects, emphasizing the importance of aligning design with user needs. In addition I will list findings, problems and open questions I've collected during my journey to craft design that unlocks business value.

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SELF-TAUGHT UNICORNS VS REGULAR AMAZING HUMANS

dopamino — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 12:37:47 +0000

While it is a fact that some self-taught folks seem just to be born with a special gift, it is also a truth that most of us have to put in a lot of hard work to excel at what we wish.

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REBRANDING PROJECTS TO UNLOCK BUSINESS VALUE

dopamino — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 16:11:46 +0000

Rebranding projects are much more than facelift exercises. As with any design project, they can significantly benefit the business strategy.

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HIRING A DESIGNER! LESSONS LEARNED AND CHANGES FOR NEXT TIME

dopamino — Wed, 31 May 2023 09:23:46 +0000

Through my experience as a designer and hiring manager, I've come to understand the stress and challenges involved in the hiring process. It's a crucial step for both the talent and the organization and requires careful consideration from all parties involved.

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THE GREAT BLUFF OF THE DESIGN SYSTEMS

Tue, 10 Sep 2019 09:48:58 +0000

Talking about design systems within the digital industry is very trendy. The definition of them as the "unique source of truth for an organization to design its product" sets the level of expectation within the insiders' community impressively high. Large organizations parade products designed according to a DS. All over the designer community, there are plenty of LinkedIn profiles self-attributing expert and guru titles as the carrier of the real strategy to develop this final weapon.

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HOW CAN DESIGN HELP FINANCIAL INCLUSION TO GROW?

Thu, 28 Jun 2018 11:27:17 +0000

Financial inclusion is a key enabler to reducing poverty and boosting prosperity. Financial inclusion means that individuals and businesses have access to useful and affordable financial products and services that meet their needs – transactions, payments, savings, credit and insurance – delivered in a responsible and sustainable way. Digital financial technology, or “fintech,” and particularly … Continue reading HOW CAN DESIGN HELP FINANCIAL INCLUSION TO GROW?

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