On my mind
On my mind
By Jaan Orvet
Life and 💀 of multi-fold designMar 20, 2026Dealing with freeloadersMar 18, 2026The inherent limitation of “var arbetar du?”Mar 13, 2026Comforting (London edition)Mar 12, 2026Say less. Sound more.Mar 5, 2026More hinges, fewer regrets.Mar 3, 2026Subscribing. It is the way.Mar 2, 2026
2 of 2

Tokyo + AI Code of Conduct

Sep 14, 2026

 

'On my mind', a newsletter by Jaan Orvet about
design, cities, life, music and a million other things.

Hello,

I'm writing this wearing a wolly Cotswold gilet and a black knitted cap. Think shipwrecked Portugese fisherman, that's my look on this chilly September morning. My mind is however not on the Atlantic coast but further afield!

𖡎 On 18 October Mayu Nakamura and I are hosting an event in Tokyo! 'The future of independent design – You are, actually, in control. 独立するデザインの未来 – 舵を自分たちでとるということ。'

We'll be welcoming a group of Japan's most exciting creatives to explore the impact independent designers can have going in to 2027. This is closely tied to what I wrote in my most recent newsletter, i.e. Preciiis. There is no doubt that independents and collaborative collectives have an edge over traditional agencies: All of the smarts and freedom. None of the overhead or forced alignments. (Again, not all agencies suffer from those downsides but we all know ones that do.)

If you are in Japan mid-Oct respond to this newsletter and I'll add you to the guest list.

 

Image

 

Also on my mind

⫘ Microsoft's Humanist AI Code of Conduct released today is a strong, relevant statement. My belief is it'll be well received among people who 1) are able to think for themselves, 2) are truly interested in building relevant products, 3) are smart enough to know that unfettered/unlimited anything is not what drives innovation, and 4) have been championing this type of C of C and now have an "ally" in MS. Of course, there will those who are building their career on AI-hype faelty and they will rage and rage and we can just keep ignoring them.

⫘ WhatCable. This macOS app checks USB-C cable specs including data transfer and charging capacity. Brilliant.

/⎚-⎚

Image
On my mind
On my mind

Tokyo + AI Code of Conduct

Sep 14, 2026

 

'On my mind', a newsletter by Jaan Orvet about
design, cities, life, music and a million other things.

Hello,

I'm writing this wearing a wolly Cotswold gilet and a black knitted cap. Think shipwrecked Portugese fisherman, that's my look on this chilly September morning. My mind is however not on the Atlantic coast but further afield!

𖡎 On 18 October Mayu Nakamura and I are hosting an event in Tokyo! 'The future of independent design – You are, actually, in control. 独立するデザインの未来 – 舵を自分たちでとるということ。'

We'll be welcoming a group of Japan's most exciting creatives to explore the impact independent designers can have going in to 2027. This is closely tied to what I wrote in my most recent newsletter, i.e. Preciiis. There is no doubt that independents and collaborative collectives have an edge over traditional agencies: All of the smarts and freedom. None of the overhead or forced alignments. (Again, not all agencies suffer from those downsides but we all know ones that do.)

If you are in Japan mid-Oct respond to this newsletter and I'll add you to the guest list.

 

Image

 

Also on my mind

⫘ Microsoft's Humanist AI Code of Conduct released today is a strong, relevant statement. My belief is it'll be well received among people who 1) are able to think for themselves, 2) are truly interested in building relevant products, 3) are smart enough to know that unfettered/unlimited anything is not what drives innovation, and 4) have been championing this type of C of C and now have an "ally" in MS. Of course, there will those who are building their career on AI-hype faelty and they will rage and rage and we can just keep ignoring them.

⫘ WhatCable. This macOS app checks USB-C cable specs including data transfer and charging capacity. Brilliant.

/⎚-⎚

Image