26

Sep 2010

Is logging out the new ”in” ?

In 1999, Jakob Nielsen made the prediction that in the future «being disconnected will become a sign of distinctiveness». («Designing Web Usability», chapter 8 «Predictions»).
The exact quote goes something like that:

“Because of the abundance of portable devices with wireless modems, people will be online at all times and be reached anywhere. Privacy becomes precious. Users will pay extra for screening services that allow them to respite from the world. Being out of touch will be seen as a status symbol”.

In 2010, this prediction seems like a bold comment, given how social networking is all the rage and the boundaries between channels and media are practically non-existent. It’s about sharing, being visible online, it’s about being able to reach ANYONE, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE.
But has most things, it’s neither just white nor black, but made of various shades of grey.

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Posted in social network, Trends |

19

Sep 2010

Our responsibility as designers

A FRONTEND2010 Retrospective

FRONTEND 2010 is over and and for the first even of its kind in Norway, it’s been a success and raised some interesting issues for the both the audience and organizers.
Responsibility and honesty are two values that came back again in the presentation and the informal conversations at the conference. This was the thread underlying the reason why such a conference is important, why our jobs are important.

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Posted in Blogpost, General, News | Tagged , , |

02

Mar 2010

Scary Browsers (& Super Links)

Scary Browsers (and Super Links) N°5 – 02/03/2010

A simple collection of great stuff I found scavenging the web or simply receiving into my Reader.

I thought I’d pass it along.

So here we are for a new week of  Scary Browser (and super links). As usual, Quick and Snappy.

This week we’ll Facebook gets news feed patent (??), Luke Wroblewski gives us a run down of how Firefox was designed, a thesis about Internet Mobiles a great infographic video on the state of the internet, a look at Wired magazine for tablet and more goodies, all after the break.

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Posted in Blogpost, Roundup | Tagged , , , , |

25

Feb 2010

Develop your UX skills: Play Squash

Develop your UX skills: Play Squash. Why playing squash is good for your UX skills.

Find out why playing squash is good for your UX skills.

Everybody heard of squash, it’s the sport that keeps Gordon Gekko on the edge. It’s the healthiest sports in the world mind you. So maybe you’ve played or are playing regularly.

In any case, As I was in the middle of my game yesterday, I just realized that this was the perfect opportunity to use my UX skills and build on it to deliver the killer strike.

How, what, when??? Well I’ll tell you why after the break.

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Posted in Blogpost | Tagged , , |

21

Feb 2010

Scary Browsers (& Super Links)

Scary Browsers (and Super Links) N°4 – 21/02/2010

A simple collection of great stuff I found scavenging the web or simply receiving into my Reader.

I thought I’d pass it along.

Hi Folks, after reviewing a bit of my stats and doing some hard thinking, I think I’ll keep my Scary Browser (and super links) section quick and snappy.

I’ll extract the articles I found more interesting and they’ll get a post all for themselves. :)

This week we’ll find a great matrix comparing social media today, some cyber spy rumours, why Windows can be sexy in your hand, some bike tidbits and how fun can improve your design.

It’s all after the break.

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Posted in Blogpost, Roundup | Tagged , , , , |

10

Feb 2010

ExplainIA – My entry

ExplainIA is a contest put in place by Peter Morville for which the goal is to ,well let’s say it out loud, Explain Information Architecture or as the contest manifest reads:

“In this contest, you are invited to explain information architecture. What is it? Why is it important? What does it mean to you? Some folks may offer a definition in 140 characters or less, while others will use this opportunity to tell a story (using text, pictures, audio, and/or video) about their relationship to IA.”

Update:

The winners have been selected and they are all great. So go and check: http://bit.ly/9IhqS6

My entry can be seen after the break

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Posted in Blogpost | Tagged , , , |

08

Feb 2010

Scary Browsers (& Super Links)

Scary Browsers (and Super Links) N°3 – 08/02/2010

A simple collection of great stuff I found scavenging the web or simply receiving into my Reader.

I thought I’d pass it along.

This week I’m making it quick and dirty, cause we’re all busy aren’t we??

SO i’ll show how to get creative in 30 seconds, design a city for bikes, where we really stand in the scale of the universe and other bits too.

It’s all after the break.

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Posted in Blogpost, Roundup | Tagged , , , , |

04

Feb 2010

Face-lift N°3: Two Bad Forms

Today I’m going to give you two small grudges I hold against bad forms.

Those are not big “show-stoppers” issue, but I feel compelled to expose those usability quarks to help make more people happy. (Starting by me).

After getting a bit overwhelmed with my last facelift: Getting Carried Away, I’m giving you two very short UX update.

What is it you might ask me? Well it’s simple, I’m giving a “face-lift” to some website, web applications or any type of interface I come across while browsing.

It’s simple, a “face-lift” is me trying to make the interface more usable, easier to use and somehow enjoyable (I’ll try prettier but that’s a matter of taste isn’t it?)

I’m using simple usability techniques, a quick mock-up/prototype and some bullet points to highlights the before after.

But there is a trick: I only “face-lift” website that I actually use and I’m only giving me a few hours to get that done.

Let’s get started after the break

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Posted in Blogpost, Case Study, Facelift | Tagged , , , |

28

Jan 2010

Face-lift N°2: Getting Carried Away

Today second post of a new series called “Face-lift”.

What is it you might ask me? Well it’s simple, I’m giving a “face-lift” to some website, web applications or any type of interface I come across while browsing.

It’s simple, a “face-lift” is me trying to make the interface more usable, easier to use and somehow enjoyable (I’ll try prettier but that’s a matter of taste isn’t it?)

I’m using simple usability techniques, a quick mock-up/prototype and some bullet points to highlights the before after.

But there is a trick: I only “face-lift” website that I actually use and I’m only giving me a few hours to get that done.

My first face-lift is today: http://www.trafikanten.no/ and this time I already broke my own rules.

I’m telling you why (and how) after the jump.

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Posted in Blogpost, Case Study, Facelift | Tagged , , , |

25

Jan 2010

Scary Browsers (& Super Links)

Scary Browsers (and Super Links) N°2 – 25/01/2010

A simple collection of great stuff I found scavenging the web or simply receiving into my Reader.

I thought I’d pass it along.

So here we go for this week, I’ll show how to make the Beatles pretty, and strongly encourage you to read a book. I also had a dream about the future of bike lanes, give you some great music for free and explain you that you’re not likely to be eaten alive, in-flight by mega shark. And all of this is free, unlike the NYtimes. :)

It’s all after the break.

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Posted in Blogpost, Roundup | Tagged , , , , |