Hey there,
I've got four things for you this week: a small framework I've been using to think about AI, a new Flipbook plugin built by Abi, the first look at Seamble, and a few communities worth knowing about.
First up, Seamble.
Coming soon
Something new: Seamble
Connecting components to a website is a pain. Setup and hosting get in the way, and after all that, the result can still look pasted on. I'm building Seamble to fix that.
Seamble is the seam between the apps you use and the sites you design. We're starting with Instagram and YouTube. Once a component is in, it should feel like it was always part of the site. Sign up, then tell me what you'd want connected next.
See what I'm building
New article
When and Where is AI Actually Useful?
My friend and mentor Barney Cohen and I keep coming back to this question. The answer that feels most accurate right now is that AI is appropriate for the middle 80% of a project, and poorly suited at the edges.
Humans still matter most at the beginning, when discernment tells us what deserves to be made, and at the end, when taste tells us whether the result is actually good. AI can move through the middle incredibly quickly, but speed isn't the same thing as judgment.
Read the article →
New plugin
Turn a List Section into a Flipbook
Abi built this one, and it came out great. Flipbook turns a standard Squarespace List Section into an interactive brochure with page-turn animation, navigation arrows, and a progress indicator.
It's mobile friendly, customizable with CSS, and comes with copy-and-paste installation. The single-site license is $25.
See the Flipbook pluginCommunity
Stay close to other humans
AI is moving fast, and I think the pace is going to keep accelerating. While all of our workflows are going to change, one thing that won't change is our need to connect and stay in contact with other humans. Here are four communities of Squarespacers I know, including mine, that could be helpful.
Will's Toolkit Community →$15/month or $150/year · Slack
My Slack community for Squarespace designers to ask questions, share what they're learning, and keep up with what I'm building.
The Margin →$49/month · Sam Crawford
Sam's group for web designers who want practical help with the systems and business behind the work.
Claude Club for Web Designers →$5/month · Becca Harpain + Dave Hawkins
Becca and Dave's group for web designers using Claude across client work and studio operations.
Web Design Roundtable →$17/month standard · $37/month premium · Christy Price
Christy's group for freelance web designers who want trusted peers, honest feedback, and weekly prompts.
No affiliate links here. I know and trust the people behind these groups, but this isn't a blanket endorsement. Just a few places worth checking out.
Keep building,
Will
Stay connected