In software design it’s the little things that matter. Even when no one notices them.
Title: Refinements, additions, and un-breaking stuff: iOS 7.1 reviewed Context: Attention to detail, iteration, and the ability to admit that you may have been wrong are all the hallmark of great software. Synopsis: Remember when iOS 7 was first released … Continued
To UI or not to UI? That is the question. And the answer? It depends.
Title: The No UI debate is rubbish Context: Context is king. Synopsis: I forget where the user experience zeitgeist is at this week. Are we against all forms of UI controls now or is it back to the tried and … Continued
The secret to becoming a better designer? It’s all in the cards.
Title: Behavior Change Strategy Cards Context: Using science to change behavior. What could possibly go wrong? Synopsis: Designers block can be huge problem. Staring at a blank canvas waiting until the solution to the problem you are trying to solve … Continued
#ux iota: Designers don’t just talk shit. We talk Design Jargon BULLshit!
“If you can’t convince ’em, confuse ’em.” — Harry S. Truman, frustrated user experience designer via designjargonbullshit.com
Skeumorphic? Flat? Minimalist? Realistic? How about good old “authentic” instead?
Title: Authentic Design Context: There are lots of competing theories on what digital design should be. And approximately 0 ways of knowing which one is right. Synopsis: Arguments over the correct way to design things is as old as our … Continued
A mind is a terrible thing to waste which is exactly the mistake most UIs make.
Title: Cognitive Science and Design Context: How Google hacks your brain’s software to make better UIs. Synopsis: As user experience designers we tend to abstract our target users into aggregate personas in an attempt to try and understand their motivations … Continued
The road to bad user experience is paved with new features.
Title: Experience Rot Context: Feature creep = User experience rot Synopsis: The high point – user experience wise – of any software is its first release. This will be the simplest, most economical, singular realization of the product vision that … Continued
Either lead, follow, or get out of the way. Or for your company’s UX team: none of the above.
Title: Organizational Challenges for UX Professionals Context: You’ll probably recognize more than a few of these pitfalls. No bonus points if you sadly nod your head to all of them. Synopsis: So achieving good user experience is really no secret. … Continued
Lazy, vain, and selfish is no way to go through life son. But it is how to be an end user.
Title: The First 15 Seconds Context: You only get one chance at a first impression. Even with software. Especially with software. Synopsis: Users are lazy. Users are vain. Users are selfish. Which is why, just like with teenagers, you have … Continued
Facebook bet its future on the feedback of 60 people. How many do you need?
Title: How Facebook Did UX Testing For Facebook Home (With Fewer Than 60 People) Context: It’s not the size of the usability test, it’s what you do with the data. Synopsis: Facebook engages more users in a single second than … Continued
Never forget the pluperfect tense when conjugating your UI.
Title: The Grammar of Interactivity Context: Fluency in the language of user experience is tough to master. Synopsis: Remember how much you hated English class in high school? “I’m going to become a designer so I never have to conjugate … Continued
We shall test them in the cafes and in the streets and in the office. We shall never surrender.
Title: The Art of Guerilla Usability Testing Context: No time, budget, or access to full usability research resources? Go guerrilla on their ass instead. Synopsis: For those of you who have the luxury of full time research resources at your … Continued
#ux iota: Stop me if you’ve heard this one, “3 designers are lost at sea…”
Best Bit: “Sometimes the best way through the fog, is through the fog.” via vimeo.com
Return Of The Attack Of The Killer Pencils Part 2 The Sequel!!!!!!
Title: Don’t Be Afraid of a Pencil. Context: Sketching isn’t something to be afraid of…Unless someone stabs you in the brain with a pencil. But that almost never happens. Synopsis: Yes you can sketch. Yes you. Stop looking behind you … Continued
Take this waterfall and shove it!
Title: Applying Agile Principles to Design Context: Put down the Photoshop and iterate. Synopsis: The jury is no longer out on Agile and UX design. The verdict: perfect together! Great news for those who have been doing Agile based design … Continued