The more information you need, the worse off you are – users only want you to have the data you really need. Flow is important to gaining traction in small apps – every button, field, etc. is a new risk of losing a potential user. Build on networks people are already using. Facebook, Google +, [...]
The scent of good information is strong – Humans are infovores for content. Content trigger words prompt users for action. Having a link is useless without descriptive content. Links secretly want to deliver you to the content. Good design is greater than the experience. The back button, however is the Button of DOOM. The back [...]
Watches and digital clocks point to a system that looks simple but is actually very complex. Only a few buttons, but presses, sequences, and the manual are all difficult to understand or remember. “I know it [simplicity] when I see it!” Designers see: Space (white space), Noise (visual cleanliness), and Hierarchy (typography) IXD see: Functionality [...]
I love this interview with Dieter Rams about his influence in product and industrial design. He speaks about how he developed his ‘ten principles’ and why he felt there was a need for products to be devoid of excess, yet still allow for customization on the part of the consumer. Rams also discusses how the [...]
I got my copy of A List Apart’s book on Responsive Web Design and it’s a great way to get into thinking about responsive Web techniques. Ethan Marcotte does a great job of guiding readers through a simple, clean example of manipulation starting at the flexible grid level, moving through flexible images, and finally rounding [...]
“The aesthetic quality of a product is integral to its usefulness because products used every day have an effect on people and their well-being.” – Dieter Rams I’m not gonna argue with the man. I’ve been thinking a lot lately of how much stuff I have. It’s all about what I have vs. what I [...]
A conversation transpired the other day in which a colleague of mine remarked that he’d had it with “hacks” in our industry – that is, those who call themselves developers and designers but still use recycled code, un-secure scripts, and kludged together markup. He complained that there should be an education requirement (like that of [...]
I’ve been thinking about scheduling a lot lately, what with SxSW going on TOMORROW and all. I’m juggling a few projects at my daytime contract and a few for my personal business. I feel that some of the reason I’ve not been at the top of my game lately stems from how I schedule blocks [...]
This week has another drawn out metaphor! Hoorah for metaphors! I’ve been thinking about the user experience with everyday objects lately for a personal project of mine and have been thinking carefully on objects I use and admire. A local men’s clothing store near my work recently had a 50% off sale and I went [...]
I love beer. This is not surprising to anyone that knows me. I’ve driven miles, changed plans, and hunted far and wide just to get my hands on interesting and tasty brews from all over the place. I also enjoy Zen Buddhist thought. In many ways, making beer is very much an experiment in Zen, [...]