Welcome to The EasyWP Dispatch! In this week’s edition, we bring you a dynamic trio of stories that spotlight the evolving landscape of WordPress and design. First up, we’ll dive into the WordPress Photos Directory’s remarkable achievement, where it has crossed the threshold of 10,000 images, offering a wealth of free, CC0-licensed photographs. Next, we’ll explore the transformative influence of artificial intelligence on graphic and web design, unveiling the exciting possibilities and potential limitations. Lastly, we’ll discuss the latest WordPress update, version 6.4, and its smart script loading enhancements, promising improved page speed and site performance. 

WordPress Photos Directory surpasses 10,000 images

The WordPress Photos Directory achieved a significant milestone last week, surpassing a collection of over 10,000 photographs, according to WP Tavern. This directory serves as a valuable resource, offering free, publicly-contributed, CC0-licensed images, with each photo undergoing moderation by dedicated volunteers.

Image source: WordPress.org

The Photos team moderators expressed their excitement and appreciation for the photographers’ efforts. They highlighted the milestone’s significance, acknowledging the time and skill required to capture, edit, and contribute these images. Particularly remarkable is that this directory welcomes submissions from anyone, irrespective of their photography expertise.

One unique aspect of the WordPress Photos Directory is its inclusivity, as it accepts user-contributed images, making them available for use without requiring attribution. The directory’s growth not only in the number of images but also in the diverse community of over 1,400 contributors is celebrated.

How AI is changing graphic and web design

Artificial intelligence (AI) is making significant waves in graphic design, revolutionizing various aspects of creativity and design. Leading designers from different agencies provide insights into the impact and implications of AI for a recent article on Creative Bloq. 

While AI presents opportunities for efficiency and innovation, there are concerns about its limitations. AI may not replicate the unique creative connections and serendipitous observations that human designers bring to their work. Designers believe AI is a valuable tool but may not fully replace human creativity. The relationship between AI and graphic design continues to evolve, offering both opportunities and challenges for the design industry.

Image source: Rose Design

Despite the excitement around AI, there is also apprehension about its impact on the industry and the devaluation of artistic creativity. Designers worry about AI contributing to a homogenized and uninspired design landscape where AI-generated content becomes indistinguishable from human-created work. There is a call for the design community to be vigilant in preserving the uniqueness and value of human creativity in the face of AI’s advancements.

WordPress update improves page speed with smarter script loading

WordPress version 6.4 introduces crucial changes in script loading, significantly enhancing page load times and overall site performance. Search Engine Journal reports that this update incorporates new script loading strategies into WordPress’s core and bundled themes, utilizing “defer” and “async” attributes for scripts. These attributes prompt browsers to load scripts in the background or after the rest of the page has loaded, greatly improving interactivity and reducing page load times.

Image source: WordPress.org

Previously, JavaScript files in WordPress themes and plugins were loaded without asynchronous instructions, causing delays in page rendering. With this update, pages featuring WordPress content will load faster, particularly benefiting the first contentful paint (FCP) metric, which measures how quickly a page initially appears.

For website visitors, these changes result in faster page loading and a smoother browsing experience, with fewer disruptions or shifting of page elements after the initial page load. These enhancements lay the groundwork for future optimizations, promising further improvements in site speed and performance.