Writing · Software Design Group · MIT CSAIL
Essays and results from the group.
Arguments, experiments, and provocations about concept design — from why concepts aren't objects to what language models change about building software. Each piece opens in full on the group's publication site.
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Why concepts aren't objects
Where object-oriented modeling goes wrong, and how concepts differ from objects.
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WYSIWID: What you see is what it does
How concepts open up a different way of building software with language models.
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The End of Agile
An argument that the agile playbook stops making sense once LLMs write the code.
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A Concept Experiment at Palantir
What happened when concepts were put to work at industrial scale.
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Three Stages of Enlightenment
A short introduction to concept design, told in three steps.
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Dark Concepts in Software Design
The building blocks social media apps reach for when they want to steer their users.
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Conceptual models missed the point
Don Norman's framing improved interface design, and also led it astray.
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The siloing of UX design
UX design has been split across roles, with consequences nobody chose.
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Design Moves for Software
A repertoire of moves for becoming a stronger software designer.
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The Essence of the Essence
A comprehensive summary of the book, for readers short on time.
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Concept Design Sketchnote
The early ideas of concept design, drawn as a sketchnote by MJ Broadbent.
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Design Updates in Your Mailbox
An ultra-low-volume list for new ideas about concepts and design.
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ACM tech talk
Concept design explained in a single video.
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Sample book chapters
Free sample chapters of The Essence of Software, available for download.
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