Writing on faith, technology, and agentic design by Derek Castelli.https://heyderekj.com/en-ushttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2026-03-22-the-48-hour-project/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2026-03-22-the-48-hour-project/Sun, 22 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2026-03-15-faith-and-technology/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2026-03-15-faith-and-technology/The church needs to engage with AI — on the shaping edge, not the reacting one.Sun, 15 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2026-03-02-i-turned-37/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2026-03-02-i-turned-37/Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2026-02-22-dogfood-or-die-because-of-ai/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2026-02-22-dogfood-or-die-because-of-ai/Sun, 22 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2026-02-15-faith-apps-deserve-a-wow/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2026-02-15-faith-apps-deserve-a-wow/Sun, 15 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2026-02-10-hello-again/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2026-02-10-hello-again/New home for the writing.Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2026-01-27-making-rectangles/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2026-01-27-making-rectangles/Tue, 27 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2026-01-23-a-tool-waits-to-be-used/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2026-01-23-a-tool-waits-to-be-used/Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2026-01-17-be-a-toolmaker/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2026-01-17-be-a-toolmaker/Sat, 17 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-09-10-dear-charlie/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-09-10-dear-charlie/Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-08-03-change-of-plans/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-08-03-change-of-plans/Sun, 03 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-07-26-why-im-making-harvous/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-07-26-why-im-making-harvous/Sat, 26 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-07-21-im-not-my-dad/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-07-21-im-not-my-dad/Mon, 21 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-07-16-mantle/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-07-16-mantle/Wed, 16 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-07-14-no-response-is-a-response/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-07-14-no-response-is-a-response/Mon, 14 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-07-02-taking-her-last-name/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-07-02-taking-her-last-name/Wed, 02 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-06-20-the-real-glass-castle/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-06-20-the-real-glass-castle/Fri, 20 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-04-23-my-silent-cofounders/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-04-23-my-silent-cofounders/Wed, 23 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-04-22-to-share-is-to-live/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-04-22-to-share-is-to-live/Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-04-11-a-shifting-season/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-04-11-a-shifting-season/Balancing work, marriage, and a side project while quietly preparing for a new season of leadership.Fri, 11 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-03-31-family-farm-fire/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-03-31-family-farm-fire/Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-03-24-1-year-of-making-harvous/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-03-24-1-year-of-making-harvous/It's been one year of making the Bible notes app, HarvousMon, 24 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-03-21-through-the-glass-door/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-03-21-through-the-glass-door/Fri, 21 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-03-14-hearing-spring/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-03-14-hearing-spring/Fri, 14 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-03-11-app-first-ai-second/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-03-11-app-first-ai-second/Build apps with AI as a subtle enhancement, not the main attraction. Focus on core purpose first.Tue, 11 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-03-11-building-for-tenants-not-tourists/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-03-11-building-for-tenants-not-tourists/Companies chase AI tourists with flashy features while neglecting loyal tenants who actually pay the bills.Tue, 11 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-03-06-the-seduction-of-sparkle/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-03-06-the-seduction-of-sparkle/Companies chasing AI's sparkle often neglect product fundamentals, creating impressive features atop crumbling foundations. Fix the basics before adding AI magic.Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-03-01-the-ai-checkbox-fallacy/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-03-01-the-ai-checkbox-fallacy/Companies chase AI features to check boxes rather than solve problems. The best AI implementations enhance experiences without drawing attention.Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-02-23-from-domain-collector-to-problem-solver/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-02-23-from-domain-collector-to-problem-solver/A founder's journey from collecting domain names for every startup idea to discovering the power of dogfooding - building products that solve your own problems first. Learn why focusing on real problems you personally face leads to better products than chasing theoretical opportunities.Sun, 23 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-01-24-webflows-39-designer-seat/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-01-24-webflows-39-designer-seat/Webflow now charges clients $39/month for Designer seats, even when using free guest slots for freelancers.Fri, 24 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-01-21-a-decade-of-unconditional-love/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-01-21-a-decade-of-unconditional-love/This one is for you Lilo girl, happy 10th birthday!Tue, 21 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-01-07-the-joy-of-inefficiency/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-01-07-the-joy-of-inefficiency/Sometimes the "inefficient" parts of life - like enjoying a drive - are exactly what make it worth living.Tue, 07 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-01-05-dyslexic-thinking/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2025-01-05-dyslexic-thinking/Dyslexic thinking gives me superpowers in design and creative problem-solving, even though reading isn't my thing. Built Harvous to solve Bible study note-taking for brains like mine.Sun, 05 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-12-31-2024-year-in-review/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-12-31-2024-year-in-review/2024 was about moving from dreaming to building. Lost my grandpa, joined Kem Design & Apollos teams, left an agency, got drums, and prepped for Harvous v1.Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-10-03-my-wordpress-era/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-10-03-my-wordpress-era/Thu, 03 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-09-14-revise-dev/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-09-14-revise-dev/Sat, 14 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-09-09-it-takes-two-designers/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-09-09-it-takes-two-designers/As a designer, I've discovered that working in a team is far more fulfilling than being a solo practitioner.Mon, 09 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-08-09-the-mirage-of-growth/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-08-09-the-mirage-of-growth/Agency's false growth led to chaos. I scaled back for sanity.Fri, 09 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-08-08-schemakit/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-08-08-schemakit/Thu, 08 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-08-06-death-by-sop/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-08-06-death-by-sop/Agency SOPs stifle creativity. Reducing hours to preserve passion.Tue, 06 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-06-10-launch-day/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-06-10-launch-day/June 10th is my launch day.Mon, 10 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-05-12-mothers-day/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-05-12-mothers-day/Less about gift giving. More about the idea of motherhood.Sun, 12 May 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-03-15-ai-traffic-signals/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-03-15-ai-traffic-signals/Traffic signals should use AI and cameras to optimize flow instead of relying on outdated sensors and timers.Fri, 15 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-03-15-game-devlogs/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-03-15-game-devlogs/As I design my own app, I've been inspired by game devlogs with their creative process and design decisions.Fri, 15 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-03-02-thirty-five/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-03-02-thirty-five/It's been a year of prioritization, part 2 of focus being the prior year.Sat, 02 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-02-22-hike/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-02-22-hike/A now defunct app that combined family and journaling together.Thu, 22 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-02-06-redirecting-ideas/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-02-06-redirecting-ideas/It took me 16 years to recognize the need to redirect my ideas.Tue, 06 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-02-01-linkscout/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-02-01-linkscout/Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-01-28-how-i-got-into-design/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-01-28-how-i-got-into-design/The first known memory of me liking the practice of design before I knew what design meant involved Micro Machines.Sun, 28 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-01-23-limited-screen-time/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-01-23-limited-screen-time/Time blocking your day to be more present and productive.Tue, 23 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-01-07-two-strikes-and-the-80-percent-rule/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-01-07-two-strikes-and-the-80-percent-rule/When I've felt it's time to move on from a job.Sun, 07 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-01-04-goofy-grandpa/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2024-01-04-goofy-grandpa/Recently, my Grandpa went to Heaven. Him and I always were the clowns of our family. I miss him.Thu, 04 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2023-09-13-the-missing-soul-of-steve-jobs/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2023-09-13-the-missing-soul-of-steve-jobs/Wed, 13 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2023-04-12-shopify-winter-2023-edition/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2023-04-12-shopify-winter-2023-edition/Wed, 12 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2023-04-07-seventy-three/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2023-04-07-seventy-three/A poem-style reflection of my life ever since I wanted to be an architect.Fri, 07 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2023-04-06-2nd-time-watching-e-t/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2023-04-06-2nd-time-watching-e-t/When I was a kid I was angry Elliot. Now, a mature, clearer picture.Thu, 06 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2023-03-23-wild-hike/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2023-03-23-wild-hike/The journey of Hike has been tough one. But, today starts the beginning of newness.Thu, 23 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2023-03-02-thirty-four/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2023-03-02-thirty-four/This year felt similar to when I turned 32 but was very different.Thu, 02 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2023-01-20-goodbye-tags/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2023-01-20-goodbye-tags/Fri, 20 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-12-26-my-favorite-rebrand-of-2022/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-12-26-my-favorite-rebrand-of-2022/Mon, 26 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-12-10-despising-saturdays/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-12-10-despising-saturdays/Sat, 10 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-10-25-thinking-like-a-developer/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-10-25-thinking-like-a-developer/Tue, 25 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-10-24-make-something-simple-jess-faccin-canva/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-10-24-make-something-simple-jess-faccin-canva/Mon, 24 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-10-20-no-code-web-app-partytrick/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-10-20-no-code-web-app-partytrick/Truly showing what's possible with "no-code" tools like Webflow and Airtable.Thu, 20 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-10-19-convert-any-website-into-fully-editable-figma-designs/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-10-19-convert-any-website-into-fully-editable-figma-designs/Wed, 19 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-10-19-expand-to-learn-more-about-linear-2022-release/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-10-19-expand-to-learn-more-about-linear-2022-release/Wed, 19 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-10-19-gradient-mesh-css-generator/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-10-19-gradient-mesh-css-generator/Wed, 19 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-10-17-the-elephant-in-the-room/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-10-17-the-elephant-in-the-room/Mon, 17 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-10-15-linears-impromptu-ama-on-figma/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-10-15-linears-impromptu-ama-on-figma/Over 100 people gathered on Figma to see the new homepage design and ask the team questions.Sat, 15 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-09-19-leaving-apple-retail-again/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-09-19-leaving-apple-retail-again/The time has come again to leave Apple where I first started in 2012.Mon, 19 Sep 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-06-18-love-with-an-asterisk/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-06-18-love-with-an-asterisk/Sat, 18 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-04-19-how-mds-makes-a-website/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-04-19-how-mds-makes-a-website/Tue, 19 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-04-08-part-time-designer/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-04-08-part-time-designer/I got to thinking about my competitive advantage of affordability by being a part-time designer.Fri, 08 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-03-25-expand-your-branding/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-03-25-expand-your-branding/Fri, 25 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-03-02-thirty-three/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-03-02-thirty-three/Wed, 02 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-02-01-building-home/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-02-01-building-home/Tue, 01 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-01-25-cousin-brothers/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-01-25-cousin-brothers/These two brothers needed a website to introduce themselves as realtors.Tue, 25 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-01-08-button-styling-and-expected-function/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-01-08-button-styling-and-expected-function/Sat, 08 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-01-06-my-church-i-once-designed-for/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-01-06-my-church-i-once-designed-for/Thu, 06 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-01-05-creating-a-brand-voice-matters/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2022-01-05-creating-a-brand-voice-matters/Wed, 05 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2021-12-31-bring-on-2022/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2021-12-31-bring-on-2022/Fri, 31 Dec 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2021-11-08-trump-2020/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2021-11-08-trump-2020/Mon, 08 Nov 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2021-10-21-prioritization/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2021-10-21-prioritization/Thu, 21 Oct 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2021-10-20-bowen-design-and-print/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2021-10-20-bowen-design-and-print/A new site to support growth, show off all services, and handle many shops.Wed, 20 Oct 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2021-10-05-city-of-elkhart/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2021-10-05-city-of-elkhart/The city wanted to update its website with a wow factor and make it feel more professional.Tue, 05 Oct 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2021-07-06-i-fear-abandonment/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2021-07-06-i-fear-abandonment/My biggest fear is abandonment, the fear of being forgotten or left out.Tue, 06 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2021-05-07-sundays-at-three/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2021-05-07-sundays-at-three/A different approach to the time of church means the time of day gets extra attention.Fri, 07 May 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2021-01-28-making-my-dad-proud/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2021-01-28-making-my-dad-proud/Thu, 28 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2021-01-26-nothing-special-yet/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2021-01-26-nothing-special-yet/Tue, 26 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2020-09-18-imprint-architects/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2020-09-18-imprint-architects/Create a less "muddied" website meant also creating a simpler, yet unique logo.Fri, 18 Sep 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2020-09-10-logos-arent-meant-to-sell-products/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2020-09-10-logos-arent-meant-to-sell-products/A logo needs to represent why you’re different.Thu, 10 Sep 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2020-08-10-cool-basil/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2020-08-10-cool-basil/Mon, 10 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2020-05-26-eternity-church/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2020-05-26-eternity-church/Tue, 26 May 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2020-04-26-firework/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2020-04-26-firework/Sun, 26 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2020-03-02-thirty-one/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2020-03-02-thirty-one/Mon, 02 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2020-02-21-groups/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2020-02-21-groups/Fri, 21 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2019-05-20-leveling-up-my-team/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2019-05-20-leveling-up-my-team/Mon, 20 May 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2018-10-11-saying-sorry/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2018-10-11-saying-sorry/Thu, 11 Oct 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2018-02-08-i-got-to-hug-my-hero/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2018-02-08-i-got-to-hug-my-hero/Thu, 08 Feb 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2015-12-31-twenty-six/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2015-12-31-twenty-six/Thu, 31 Dec 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://heyderekj.com/posts/2011-10-07-steve-jobs/https://heyderekj.com/posts/2011-10-07-steve-jobs/Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT