This post has the same issues as NotebookLM for me -- overdesigned, overengineered for what at its core is a simple and valuable UX.

NotebookLM: obviously useful, but I just wanna select some files and chat w/ them or have them summarized for me. It's got low info density, way too many cards/buttons/sections/icons, and it makes the core UX really difficult for me to navigate.

This post: I wanted to know what cool thoughts he had while designing it. Instead I get some weird scrolljacking, image carousels, unnecessary visual hierarchy, cards galore, etc.

Not trying to be too negative, it's slick and all but it just gets in the way for me instead of disappearing.

Not too negative, I really appreciate this perspective and agree with some of what you said.

IMO if you wanted to simply talk to a file or two Gemini, ChatGPT, and Claude are great for that.

The goal of this experimental product was to think creatively around what a true source grounded tool could be. (Obviously while building to best support the user needs). Our team put in immense work to move quickly while trying to be creative while keeping it simple. I have no doubt the product will continue to evolve and improve based on continued feedback like this!

Re: my website, I personally digest things better visually. I had hoped the additional visual elements would explain my decision making process to others as well.

Surely there’s a German word for this - framing a weakness as if it contributed to the success.

I’ve seen it in so many talks, especially from people working in big tech. Something is a success in spite of some aspect of it, and those responsible for that aspect go on speaking tours about their journey and what we mere mortals can learn from them.

Endless scrolling just to describe a three-panel layout, something that's been around since the 80s (?).

Came here to say this. Although the UI is clean, it's in no way a great user experience using NotebookLM. It's just such a great product so I go back to it, but the user interface is not my favorite part.

I read this comment first and thought: "oh come on, how bad can it be". So then seeing this really being so bad(-ly overdesigned) was quite amusing.

It's written for people to see, not to read I guess.

Really disliked the author's tone: "me, me, me, me, me, me. Also somebody promote me."

All this paragraphs telling us what a great job he's done and this charlatan's product (with great potential)...doesn't even save your chats.

So you start discussing about something in your notes, come back and...the messages are gone.

But sure come tell me what a genius you are with your 3 column layout.

Charlatans, and those people become multi millionaires with those projects and such a crap work.

I mean, this is from a company that judges its designs for "feeling of rebelliousness" and "courage" [1]

The entire text is rationalizing post-factum for a promotion package.

[1] In case you missed it https://design.google/library/expressive-material-design-goo...

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We found a 32% increase in subculture perception, which indicates that expressive design makes a brand feel more relevant and “in-the-know.” We also saw a 34% boost in modernity, making a brand feel fresh and forward-thinking. On top of that, there was a 30% jump in rebelliousness, suggesting that expressive design positions a brand as bold, innovative, and willing to break from convention.

--- end quote ---

Fully concur with sibling comments. Maybe I set the wrong expectation for myself: that it would be a blog post with a narrative to bring the reader through some plot points and a resolution. Instead it is a bunch of schematic ideas presented without connection or progression, like a conceptual summary sketched from an interesting lecture that can be read between the lines.