Laurel Schwulst’s article had some amazing takes on the individuality and craftsmanship of the modern website. I enjoyed her stances on how websites should be fashioned in a way that is both personal and patient. She made me recognize that the web is always growing and changing and that we as creatives, may be challenged by the modern demands of digital space and place.

In her article, Schwulst mentions how websites can exist similarly to natural objects and domestic spaces like a room, a shelf, a plant, a garden, a puddle, and even a rock thrown into the ocean. Defining the purpose of digital spaces in this manner makes websites feel more approachable and comforting, as opposed to automatically associating them with the confusing entanglement of the world wide web. Likewise, Schwulst also mentions that we should embrace the power of the web and its inherent interconnectivity.

Overall, I felt like Schwult’s article changed my perspective on what a website should look and feel like. I'm so excited to utilize her methods and mindset in my first website here in class!

Frank Chimero’s “The Good Room” argues that digital environments have a profound impact on people's mental and emotional well-being, just as physical spaces do. He urges designers to create "good rooms" that prioritize privacy, simplicity, and positivity, that also empower users to make conscious decisions about their digital engagement. Finally, Chimero emphasizes the ethical responsibility of designers to consider the impact of their work on users' welfare, rather than prioritizing profits.

I found this article to be incredibly interesting as there are ways in which both physical and digital spaces have affected my life (especially post pandemic)! I also appreciated Chimero’s inclusion of therapeutic practices to disconnect and reconnect with digital environments in ways that are healthy and sustainable. Overall, really awesome read!