Yann-Edern Gillet | Software Designer at Linear

Jack Vaughan Podcast

Learn more at → ⁠https://jackvaughan.com⁠

Yann’s Website → ⁠https://yannglt.com⁠

Yann-Edern is a software designer and maker based in Paris, focused on developer experience. He’s currently working at Linear and most recently contributed to the new UI of the desktop app. He previously worked at Specify, where he contributed to creating a Design API and its design token format.

On the side, he loves to create tools for designers and engineers, interconnecting tools and providing ways to adopt the same language. He’s the creator of Styles to Variables in Figma, some Raycast extensions, and he teased another plugin he’s currently working on for Framer.

We talked about a bunch of topics, including his award-winning personal website and playground where he’s experimenting a lot with different technologies, most recently with React and Rive.

Topics Covered:

• Design System Changes: Insights on Linear's recent design update, focusing on a more cohesive, timeless, neutral aesthetic.
• Inspirations and Admired Products: Discussing the brands and products that influence Linear’s design philosophy.
• Linear’s Impact: Exploring how Linear has become a trendsetter in the design community.
• Yann-Edern’s Experiments and Projects: His journey and contributions, including key projects and design decisions.
• Small Team Dynamics: The dynamics and benefits of small, focused teams in a design-centric company.
• Design Systems and Specify: The importance of robust design systems.
• Tool Building: Yann-Edern’s approach to creating tools and plugins that streamline design workflows.
• Core Design Philosophy: Yann-Edern’s philosophical approach to design and creativity.
• AI in Design: The hype versus reality of AI in design and its implications for the future.
• AI Design Tools: Comparing sketch-based AI design tools to prompt-based ones.
• Admired Tools: Tools admired by Yann-Edern and others at Linear.
• Yann’s Main Quest: A discussion about Yann-Edern’s ‘North Star’
• Yann-Edern’s Side Quests: Yann-Edern’s work outside of Linear, including personal projects and experimentation.
• Work with Framer & Raycast: His ongoing work with Framer and developing new plugins.
• Using Copilot: How Yann-Edern leverages Copilot to enhance his workflow.
• Physicality and Tactility: The importance of incorporating physical elements into a digital work environment.
• Routines and Habits: Yann-Edern’s daily routines and habits that support his creative process.
• Starting with Passion Projects: The value of beginning the day with exciting or educational activities.
• Personal Workspace: Designing a productive and inspiring personal work environment.
• Award-Winning Website: Yann-Edern’s personal website as a creative playground and its recognition.
• Creativity and Constraints: The role of constraints in fostering creativity.
• Animation Tools: Exploring tools like Rive, Cinema 4D, and After Effects in his work