November 2010

Why Design Education Must Change

"Today, however, designers work on organizational structure and social problems, on interaction, service, and experience design. Many problems involve complex social and political issues. As a result, designers have become applied behavioral scientists, but they are woefully undereducated for the task. Designers often fail to understand the complexity of the issues and the depth of knowledge already known. (...) The uninformed are training the uninformed." (Donald A. Norman ~ Core77)

Posted by PJB on November 30, 2010 | Classification: Information design | Permalink

Edging Toward the Semantic Web: Protocols, Curation, and Seeds

"The evolution from an interactive Internet (often called Web 2.0) toward a more intelligent, semantic web will not happen as a result of dramatic new inventions or jointly agreed standards, but through a gradual evolution and recombination of existing technologies. To get to a Web 3.0, we will need to first create (and maybe be satisfied with) a Web 2.5, and that will happen through the gradual evolution of effective, user-based interaction protocols (based on user dialogues) and the use of queries as information passing mechanisms." (Espen Andersen ~ Ubiquity November 2010 issue)

Posted by PJB on November 30, 2010 | Classification: Metadata - SemWeb | Permalink

Usability testing is broken: Rethinking user research for social interaction design

"Everything is social. Scale is the game changer. Tasks aren’t what you think they are. User satisfaction may be about control. Users are continuously designing your UI. I invite you to work with me on rethinking how we’re doing user research and usability testing for what’s really happening in the world: fluid, context-dependent, relationships mediated by technology. (...) The nature of online is social." (Dana Chisnell ~ Usability Testing)

Posted by PJB on November 30, 2010 | Classification: Social Web - Usability | Permalink

Access Ability: A practical handbook on accessible graphic design

"All design by definition promotes accessibility. Graphic designers try to make printed messages clearer, websites more navigable, physical environments easier to negotiate. As a profession, we’re committed to providing easier access – to information, to ideas, to public spaces – through smarter, more effective communications engaging the widest possible audience. Or at least everyone we’re hoping to reach. (...) Our goal is not to prescribe a set of rules for accessible design. Practical guides that try to be categorical end up being, at best, targets for rebuttal – or simply doorstops. So our aim is not to tell professional designers what to do, but rather to remind all of us how we could be doing better." (Accessible Graphic Design)

Posted by PJB on November 30, 2010 | Classification: Accessibility | Permalink

Information overload, the early years

"Beneath all this concern lies the sense that humanity is experiencing an unprecedented change — that modern technology is creating a problem that our culture and even our brains are ill equipped to handle. We stand on the brink of a future that no one can ever have experienced before. But is it really so novel?" (Ann Blair) courtesy of corydoctorow

Posted by PJB on November 29, 2010 | Classification: Information design | Permalink

E-Mail Newsletters: Increasing Usability

"New research finds improved usability metrics for subscribing to newsletters, but problems with reading them on mobile devices." (Jakob Nielsen ~ Alertbox)

Posted by PJB on November 29, 2010 | Classification: Usability | Permalink

Content Strategy Will Make or Break Your Process

Karen McGrane and Jeff Eaton presentation ~ "User experience is key, and applying the basic principals we know about human-centric design can help give information and how it’s processed the place it deserves. By factoring this into pre-planning, task optimization, and above all communication, a beautiful site can have beautiful content without the last-minute chaos state." (Duo Consulting)

Posted by PJB on November 26, 2010 | Classification: Content strategy - User experience | Permalink

The Art and Science of Influential Web Content: An Interview with Colleen Jones

"The goal is helping people make good decisions and then act on those decisions. The goal is matching a business, product, or idea with users who are interested in and can benefit from it, then act on it. The goal is being a trusted advisor to users, not controllers of users’ minds. (...) Content strategy is more than a set of skills. It’s a mindset and a process. I would advise anyone interested to focus on that first, then worry about the skills. Skills, tools, and tips constantly change and are hard to use properly without understanding the mindset and process first." (Peachpit)

Posted by PJB on November 26, 2010 | Classification: Content strategy - Interviews | Permalink

Internet Skills: Vital Assets in an Information Society

"This dissertation is about being able to keep up with the digitalization of contemporary society. It starts with a brief historical overview of changes in communication technologies and the increasing demands they have put on users. Special attention in this chapter is given to the communication technology that in a relatively short periode of time has vastly changed the way information is collected and used: the Internet." (Alexander J.A.M. van Deursen)

Posted by PJB on November 25, 2010 | Classification: Design research - Information design | Permalink

Designing for Content Management Systems

"Designing and indeed front-end development for a website that will have content edited by non-technical users poses some problems over and above those you will encounter when developing a site where you have full control over the output mark-up. However, most clients these days want to be able to manage their own content, so most designers will find that some, if not all, of their designs end up as templates in some kind of CMS." (Rachel Andrew ~ Smashing Magazine)

Posted by PJB on November 22, 2010 | Classification: Content management - Content strategy - User experience | Permalink

Micro Copy: Content Strategy and Writing the User Interface

"When we think about writing, planning or implementing copy for the web, most of us probably picture longer form text: blogs, about pages and information on products and services. As content strategists we audit websites and try to come up with holistic content solutions for our clients. But apart from Help content, we rarely talk about the expanding world of web applications and the implications of user interface copy for our practice." (Contentini)

Posted by PJB on November 22, 2010 | Classification: Content strategy | Permalink

Applying Lessons from UML to UX

"Software Engineering is typically much more formal than User Experience in they way they model an application before development begins. After pseudo code, the Unified Modeling Language (UML) is probably the most widely used modeling language among software engineers. It has developed from other object‑based analysis and design languages over a period of many years and provides software engineers with a visual language that describes the design of a system at multiple levels." (Peter Hornsby ~ UXmatters)

Posted by PJB on November 22, 2010 | Classification: Technology - User experience | Permalink

Web Content That Persuades and Motivates

"In this article, I am going to explore the written Web site content whose purpose is to cause prospective customers to take action—or that results in their not taking action—from the perspective of its achieving a company's sales and marketing goals. This discussion assumes the company has a service or product to sell. If you’'re not interested in the motivational aspects of sales psychology and what their proper use can do to help a company’s sales efforts, then stop right here, because you will not like this article." (Chandler Turner ~ UXmatters)

Posted by PJB on November 22, 2010 | Classification: Content strategy - Writing | Permalink

Winning in the Marketplace: How Much User Experience Effort Does It Take?

"User experience encompasses all aspects of users’ interactions with a company, its services, and its products. Prioritizing user advocacy from the beginning of a product design process puts users at the center of the process and ensures their needs are foremost in all UX design decisions." (Sean Van Tyne ~ UXmatters)

Posted by PJB on November 22, 2010 | Classification: User experience | Permalink

Wireframes are dead, long live rapid prototyping

"Wireframes, your time is up. You’ve served your purpose. You’ve brought order where there was once chaos and provided gainful employment for thousands of UX designers, but I'm afraid now it's time for you to go to the big recycling bin in the sky. You're just no longer cut out for the cut and thrust of UX design and have been replaced by that young upstart called rapid prototyping. In this article I argue why you too should ditch wireframes and embrace rapid prototyping." (Neil Turner ~ UX for the masses)

Posted by PJB on November 22, 2010 | Classification: Prototyping - Wireframes | Permalink

On UX and advertising

"Peter Merholz's rant The Pernicious Effects of Advertising and Marketing Agencies Trying To Deliver User Experience Design is bold, uncomfortable and dogmatic, as all rants should be." (Cennydd Bowles)

Posted by PJB on November 21, 2010 | Classification: User experience | Permalink

Beyond Roleplay; Theatrical Tools in Service Design

"The links between service design and theater are clear, frequently cited, and often misunderstood. We explore the practical differences between simple role play and iterative rehearsal - a powerful tool which can be used to both analyse and develop service experiences."

Posted by PJB on November 19, 2010 | Classification: Service design | Permalink

The MIT/Brown Vannevar Bush Symposium (1995)

"The MIT/Brown Vannevar Bush Symposium was held October 12-13, 1995, at MIT, marking the 50th anniversary of Vannevar Bush's seminal article "As We May Think" (Atlantic Monthly, July 1945). The video archives from the lectures and panel discussions from that Symposium are now available online as part of the Doug Engelbart Archives collection at the Internet Archive as follows. Refer to Symposium program for title and abstract for each talk, as well as speaker bios, and panel notes; speakers' slides were captured but can no longer be viewed." (Douglas Engelbart Institute)

Posted by PJB on November 19, 2010 | Classification: Classics - Events | Permalink

Pervasive Information Architecture: Designing Cross-Channel User Experiences

"As physical and digital interactions intertwine, new challenges for digital product designers and developers, as well as, industrial designers and architects are materializing. While well versed in designing navigation, organization, and labelling of websites and software, professionals are faced the crucial challenge of how to apply these techniques to information systems that cross communication channels that link the digital world to the physical world." (Andrea Resmini and Luca Rosati ~ Pervasive IA)

Posted by PJB on November 17, 2010 | Classification: Information architecture - User experience | Permalink

Linked Data tools: Semantic Web for the masses

"Semantic Web technologies have immense potential to transform the Internet into a distributed reasoning machine that will not only execute extremely precise searches, but will also have the ability to analyze the data it finds to create new knowledge. This paper examines the state of Semantic Web (also known as Linked Data) tools and infrastructure to determine whether semantic technologies are sufficiently mature for non–expert use, and to identify some of the obstacles to global Linked Data implementation." (Lisa Goddard and Gillian Byrne ~ First Monday 15.11)

Posted by PJB on November 16, 2010 | Classification: Metadata | Permalink

Content strategy for dummies

"Information architects need to understand content. Content strategists need to understand context. In terms of traditional sitemaps, the boxes have no value without the interconnecting arrows. And the arrows have no meaning if there are no boxes to which to point. And that’s why there is so much gray area in the definition – and why the pedants will spend years fighting over definitions in the years to come." (Eric Reiss ~ FatDUX)

Posted by PJB on November 14, 2010 | Classification: Content strategy | Permalink

WorldWideWeb: Proposal for a HyperText Project

"HyperText is a way to link and access information of various kinds as a web of nodes in which the user can browse at will. Potentially, HyperText provides a single user-interface to many large classes of stored information such as reports, notes, data-bases, computer documentation and on-line systems help. We propose the implementation of a simple scheme to incorporate several different servers of machine-stored information already available at CERN, including an analysis of the requirements for information access needs by experiments." (Tim Berners-Lee ~ November 12, 1990)

Posted by PJB on November 12, 2010 | Classification: Classics | Permalink

Of Patterns and Structures

"(...) that's what we do: we build structures and patterns, we imagine orders. These are not there, in the data, in re, but are a part of our individual or collective imaginary, of our professional expertise. As such they can be fantastically "wrong" but still produce meaning, and good design." (Andrea Resmini)

Posted by PJB on November 11, 2010 | Classification: Information architecture | Permalink

IA Summit 2011, Denver CO

"The IA Summit is the premier destination for those who practice, research and are interested in the structural design of shared information environments. Some call themselves information architects (and many don't) but all share a common desire to help people live better lives through meaningful experiences with information. (...) After 11 successful years bringing hundreds of practitioners together for five days of intense exchange of ideas and experiences, we pause to reflect on the state of information architecture and what is in store for this community of practice. As we continue to strive for more, we turn our focus to what can make us - as practitioners - and our practice, better."

Posted by PJB on November 11, 2010 | Classification: Events - Information architecture - User experience | Permalink

Let's Get Physical (With Services)

"It is no secret that services, even for manufacturing organizations, can be the key differentiator between competition and the primary generator of income. Customer loyalty depends on good service; not only do customers expect it, but it is part of their values. Recent economic and environmental turmoil is shifting people from passive consumers of products to active co-creators of experiences." (Adam Little ~ fastcodesign)

Posted by PJB on November 10, 2010 | Classification: Service design | Permalink

Let's get something straight about IA

"Information architecture uses information as its raw material the same way building architecture uses physical materials." (Andrew Hinton ~ inkblurt)

Posted by PJB on November 10, 2010 | Classification: Information architecture | Permalink

Text Matters

"In the realm of content, an image can play a strong supporting role, as can a design or a video. But text is the lead actor. Text engages readers on a deeper level because text allows you to explore and communicate complex ideas in ways not possible with other mediums. In the world of content, text matters. A lot." (Tom Johnson ~ I'd Rather Be Writing)

Posted by PJB on November 09, 2010 | Classification: Content strategy - Writing | Permalink

Dashboard Design 101

"The explosion of information that analysts and executives must consume, as well as the increasing variety of sources from which that information comes, has boosted the popularity of information dashboards. Modeled after the dashboard of a car or airplane—which informs its operator about the status and operation of the vehicle they’re controlling at a glance—dashboard user interfaces provide a great deal of useful information to users at a glance. Typically, the role of an information dashboard is to quickly inform users and, thus, enable them to take immediate action." (Mike Hughes ~ UXmatters)

Posted by PJB on November 08, 2010 | Classification: InfoViz - Information design - Information graphics | Permalink

Decision Architecture: Helping Users Make Better Decisions

"For the most part, we create Web sites to get users to do something—for example, to make a purchase, donate to a cause, or sign up for our service. It is our expectation that users will make decisions about how to proceed. But are we designing for optimal decision making by users? In my column, Decision Architecture, I'll discuss how people make decisions and how we can design Web sites to make decision making easier for them and get the decision outcomes we need." (Colleen Roller ~ UXmatters)

Posted by PJB on November 08, 2010 | Classification: UCD | Permalink

Should service design explain everything or become obsolete?

"There are numerous ways of being a good designer. Perhaps the common denominator for all design competences is the ability to reify and prototype. It is important to note that design competences do not constitute good business skills or strategic expertise." (Tuomo Kuosa ~ Servicedesign.tv)

Posted by PJB on November 08, 2010 | Classification: Service design | Permalink

How web killed the hypertext star and other stories

"Over a period 30 years hypertext developed and started to mature … until in the early 1990s came the web and so much of hypertext died with its birth … I guess a bit like the way Java all but stiltified programming languages." (Alan Dix) ~ courtesy of markbernstein

Posted by PJB on November 08, 2010 | Classification: Hypertext | Permalink

Imagine a Nimble World: Challenging the Publishing Industry

"Presentation at Smart Content: The Content Analytics Conference, October 19, 2010 in New York, by Rachel Lovinger, content strategy lead at Razorfish. ~ As a Content Strategy Lead at Razorfish, Rachel Lovinger is interested in connecting users with the quality content they want and need. She uses her experience in online content production and publishing to help develop processes, best practices and innovative ideas for Fortune 500 companies looking to use digital content in more meaningful ways. She started Razorfish's Semantic Web Affinity Group, and she's interested in relevance, findability, signification, and inherently funny words. Rachel was doing Content Strategy long before she realized it was an actual field." (@rlovinger ~ The Content Analytics Conference)

Posted by PJB on November 04, 2010 | Classification: Content strategy | Permalink

The Big Show #25 (Karen McGrane)

"Karen McGrane joins Jeffrey Zeldman and Dan Benjamin to discuss putting publications online, the state of content management, careers in web design, running a design business, teaching UX and design, and more." (The Big Show)

Posted by PJB on November 03, 2010 | Classification: Information architecture - Information design - Interviews | Permalink

The innovations of social media

"The challenge ahead of us will be to innovate social tools in ways that continue to capture and expand audience and uses. Somebody, somewhere, will always have to take a risk — with technology, design, functionality, and social practices. It's my hope that we can mitigate these risks with smarter thinking about what works for people and why, supplementing our design choices with educated guesswork, relying less on market forces and business-minded entrepreneurship." (Adrian Chan ~ Johnny Holland Magazine)

Posted by PJB on November 03, 2010 | Classification: Social Web | Permalink

UX Card Sort

"If you are an Information Architect, User Experience Designer, Interaction Designer or similar and your job is designing digital interactive (web)sites, services or products then join in with the UX Card Sort! This card sort is a way of creating insight into what UX professionals have in common and what the differentiators are, based on your daily professional activities instead of discussing what a label such as IA/UXD/ID etc. should contain. The Card Sort does start though with the request to enter your job title as that might already identify existing clusters with a common label." (George Miles)

Posted by PJB on November 03, 2010 | Classification: Information architecture - User experience | Permalink

We're All Content Strategists Now (the video)

"The "Best Careers 2009" issue of U.S. News and World Report gently mocked the user experience profession for its inability to agree on a name for itself. Indeed, many job titles seem like a mix-and-match game, mashing up words like "information" and "experience" and "architect" and "designer." And now "content strategy" comes around, looking for a seat at the UX table. Some say the profession fills a gap in our professional practices. Others argue that it's just a different name for the things that we already do. In this session, we'll discuss why UX needs content—and how UX practitioners of every flavor can put content strategy to work on their projects." (Karen McGrane ~ IDEA 2010)

Posted by PJB on November 02, 2010 | Classification: Content strategy - Events - User experience | Permalink

Art Direction and Design

"Glorifying the supposed arrival of art direction on the web is one of the latest trends in interactive design. (...) Sadly, many designers don't understand the difference between design and art direction; sadder still, many art directors don't either: Art direction gives substance to design. Art direction adds humanity to design." (Dan Mall ~ A List Apart)

Posted by PJB on November 02, 2010 | Classification: Typography | Permalink

Why Content Strategy Matters (video interview w/ Scott Abel)

"The conversation around content strategy has exploded in the last few months. We’ve certainly contributed to that conversation ourselves, as you've undoubtedly seen on this blog. Still there remains some ambiguity about what exactly is content strategy and why it's important? In the following series of videos, MindTouch's Mark Fidelman spends some time with Scott Abel, aka The Content Wrangler, and investigates the realm of content strategy, the benefits of application, and its relation to technical communicators and social media." (MindTouch)

Posted by PJB on November 02, 2010 | Classification: Content strategy - Interviews | Permalink

Chris Heilmann: Reasons to be cheerful

"Being someone who works for the web is having the best job in the world. There is really nothing that compares in terms of creativity, sharing and reach. Of course there are nagging issues but if we really take a look from afar at what we are doing there is a lot of fun to be had. In this session Chris Heilmann will show just how cool it is to be who we are and how to get joy out of our day to day jobs even when we think that everything is against us. We have the tools, we have the knowledge, we have the time. What we lack sometimes is the knowledge where to look, what to use and how to sell ourselves. Here you'll hear all about it and you will find a lot of reasons to be cheerful." (Fronteers 2010)

Posted by PJB on November 01, 2010 | Classification: Technology | Permalink

Photos as Web Content

"Users pay close attention to photos and other images that contain relevant information but ignore fluffy pictures used to jazz-up Web pages." (Jakob Nielsen ~ Alertbox)

Posted by PJB on November 01, 2010 | Classification: Usability | Permalink

Storytelling for UX: An Interview with Whitney Quesenbery and Kevin Brooks

"This book looks across the full spectrum of user experience design to discover when and how to use stories to improve our products. Whether you are a researcher, designer, analyst, or manager, you will find ideas and techniques you can put to use in your practice." (Daniel Szuc ~ UXmatters)

Posted by PJB on November 01, 2010 | Classification: Interviews - User experience | Permalink

Fashionable Web Forms: Traps and Tips

"The key to designing highly usable forms is to make sure whatever widgets or methods we adopt, old or new, they are fit for their purpose. As for any task, choosing the right tools for the job—in this case, form filling—makes the job much easier. So, if you’re thinking about a novel approach to form design, make sure you keep the overarching goal of the form in mind: collecting error-free data, while placing as little burden on users as possible. If you align your choice of form widgets with this goal, you’ll design successful Web forms." (Jessica Kerr ~ UXmatters)

Posted by PJB on November 01, 2010 | Classification: Information design | Permalink

Usability for Handheld Devices Versus Computers

"Mobility will answer these questions and more—questions about mobile user experience and user interface design for small, handheld, mobile devices." (Shanshan Ma ~ UXmatters)

Posted by PJB on November 01, 2010 | Classification: Mobile design - Usability | Permalink