Why Are Cricut Design Space Updates So Frustrating? (And Who Feels It the Most)
If you’ve ever opened Cricut Design Space after an update and felt completely lost, you’re not alone. In fact, you might be part of a growing group of crafters who find these updates more frustrating than freeing. So, what’s going on? Why do updates that are supposed to help us end up throwing off our whole creative rhythm?
Let’s dig into some of the common reasons behind the friction—and why age and tech familiarity might have more to do with it than we realize.
1. Muscle Memory Doesn’t Like Change
If you’ve been using Cricut Design Space for a while, you probably know where every button lives. That familiarity is a form of muscle memory—your hands and eyes know what to do without much thinking. When an update moves a button, renames a feature, or adds a new menu layer, that memory is disrupted. And the more seasoned the user, the more jarring the shift.
Tip:
After an update, take 5-10 minutes to do a “scavenger hunt” session. Open a familiar project and intentionally try to find where your go-to tools have moved. This retrains your muscle memory faster and reduces mid-project frustration.
2. Not Everyone Grew Up with Tech
Let’s be honest: for many Cricut users, crafting came long before coding. Older users—many of whom are masters of sewing machines, glue guns, and cutting mats—may not be as comfortable navigating digital platforms. A Gen Z user might intuitively poke around and adapt after an update, but someone in their 50s or 60s might feel thrown into unfamiliar territory.
Tip:
Find a Cricut buddy—or create a group! Whether it’s in person or online, sharing tips and asking questions in a supportive space can speed up your comfort with updates. Also, follow a favorite creator on YouTube who walks through changes after every update—they often break things down in plain language.
3. Updates Often Lack Clear Instructions
Cricut updates rarely come with plain-language “what changed and why” guides. Instead, users are left to figure things out through trial and error—or by watching YouTube videos posted by equally confused creators. This lack of upfront guidance hits harder for folks who didn’t grow up with tech tutorials or who don’t want to spend crafting time watching software walkthroughs.
Tip:
Bookmark the Cricut Design Space Release Notes page (or subscribe to their newsletter, if you haven’t). It’s not perfect, but it’s the first place new changes are listed. Combine this with a reliable creator’s update video, and you’ll get a quicker, clearer picture of what to expect.
4. Visual and Interface Changes Affect Accessibility
Font changes, color shifts, or layout redesigns can make the software physically harder to use—especially for users with vision issues. If an update shrinks icons, changes contrast, or buries previously visible tools, it can become an accessibility nightmare.
Tip:
Explore your device’s built-in accessibility tools. On most computers and tablets, you can increase font size, change display contrast, or even zoom specific windows. Pair that with your browser’s zoom function (if using Cricut on the web), and you can reclaim some visibility control.
5. Time is a Factor—Crafting is the Goal
Let’s face it: Most Cricut users aren’t opening Design Space because they want to play with new features. They want to make a project. When an update interrupts that process—especially when time is limited—it feels like a barrier rather than an improvement. For older users who may craft in shorter, scheduled chunks, any delay feels amplified.
Tip:
Before starting a project—especially one on a deadline—open Design Space and check for updates the day before. Give yourself a little buffer so you can adjust without the pressure of finishing something “right now.” And keep a printed or written version of your usual workflow nearby to jog your memory if the screen suddenly looks unfamiliar.
Final Thoughts
Cricut is an incredible tool—but it works best when it stays out of the way and lets creativity shine. Updates, while important, often leave many users—especially those with less tech exposure—feeling like they’re being forced to relearn a skill they already mastered.
The good news? You’re not alone in the frustration, and there’s no shame in taking a moment (or a YouTube tutorial) to get back up to speed. After all, the best part of crafting isn’t the software—it’s what you make with it.
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