Interpreting today’s digital landscape and how it is transforming the human experience.
In my last post I wrote about the current debate between rich versus flat usability design. When examined within the wider context of design history, it can be seen that this debate is part of an ongoing and necessary cycle that encompasses not only UI, but architectural, graphic and industrial design. To illustrate, I’ll explore a few examples from early [...]
If you have much exposure to the Apple ecosystem, you’ve probably heard of the HIG, or “Human Interface Guidelines.” This document outlines recommendations and standards for constructing apps that work according to “platform conventions” on either iOS or Mac OS X. As designers, developers, or business decision makers, it can sometimes be tempting to view the HIG as a set [...]
For about a year now, debate has been raging in the design community regarding the virtues of a “flat” design aesthetic versus a “rich” design style that makes greater use of bevels, reflections, drop shadows, gradients, textures, etc. This second design style is often incorrectly equated with skeuomorphism and attributed to Apple, while “flat” design has been more recently popularized [...]
When moving from a desktop application to a mobile app, it’s tempting to say “Why would I want to limit the scope of my mobile app? The mobile version should have all the features and functionality of the desktop version.” Unfortunately, if your desktop application has a robust set of features, offering all that in a mobile app can lead [...]
Congratulations! You have been accepted to speak at a conference. Now you have the exciting (and perhaps nerve wracking) task of creating the content for your presentation. Here are a few tips to help you create and deliver a memorable and effective conference presentation. Review your abstract with two advisors Perhaps you over promised a little bit in your abstract? [...]
It’s March already! Ski season is winding down, sunny days herald spring around the corner, and SXSW Interactive (#SXSW) takes Austin by storm. EffectiveUI team members who are attending this year’s event are busy prepping for two digital design panels and trying to choose from the dozens of worthy sessions to attend (no easy task). Plus, we’re all looking forward [...]
This past weekend, March 1-3, I participated in the Denver Service Jam, sponsored by EffectiveUI. The event was part of the Global Service Jam, a service design challenge that brought together nearly 3000 people in more than 120 cities around the world. Our goal? To concept and prototype a service around a surprise theme in just 48 hours.
Experience architects (aka, UX designers) are in high demand these days. In some locations, such as the Denver/Boulder area, an influx of tech startups makes it difficult for companies to find the user experience (UX) design expertise they need. That’s why we have teamed up with the Denver-based startup ecosystem Galvanize to offer an intensive, six-month Experience Architect program for [...]
Have you ever noticed that most online and mobile applications are designed to suck you in and away from real life (and people who are right next to you)? We’re often busy updating our statuses instead of talking to the people we’re “statusing” about. Yet, now, more than ever, technology can enable us to enrich and empower our in-person interactions. [...]
In August of 2012 we announced the launch of the Water For People Re-imagine Reporting Platform Prototype. The online reporting platform offers a new way for philanthropic organizations to manage data and prove their efficacy to stakeholders. Since the prototype launch, our team has been busy working on the design and development of the next release. While plugging away, we were excited [...]
