Features vs Outcomes
“The features don’t matter. It’s all about the outcomes. What can people do with your software? How does it make them better or happier?”
Nice brief right on on users becoming advocates based on the outcomes of using your apps.
http://www.bluemangolearning.com/blog/2011/04/its-not-what-your-software-does-its-what-people-do-with-your-software/
An Illusion of Value
I was trying to explain to a friend the way I see a lot of VC’s (not all) approaching investing in smaller start up’s or entrepreneurs building start ups that aren’t really making any money, or have no real sustainable revenue plan in their business model.
The best way I could explain this was to draw a parallel to the real estate world where agents buy houses strictly for the purpose of fixing it up some and reselling it to someone, also known as flipping. Continue Reading →
Assessment of context and suitability in design
“Experiences should be designed. If your interface will be used by humans, you need to design it for humans. Familiarity may well be a factor to consider in that design, but it’s by no means the only one – and it’s almost always trumped by context.”
This is a quote from a great read that my friend Jonny Mack posted this last week about sacrificing good experience for familiarity. I bookmarked it to refer to from time to time as I think it is gerat reminder especially when designing within large organizations where going with what has “always worked” or “lets just use some third party platform” can take the place of thinking through all the situations and exploring context to better inform and equip ourselves to truly design something that meets the needs of our users.
Read the article here:
http://mattgemmell.com/2012/05/01/familiar-is-not-a-design/
The Art of Critique: IA Summit 2012
This last March I had the opportunity to present on critique with Adam Connor at the IA Summit in New Orleans. I really enjoy attending the summit and to have the chance to present again this year was an opportunity that I am very grateful for.
One of Adam’s MadPow cohorts Jamie Thomson recoded the session from the view of the audience, so if you weren’t able to make it out to the summit, or if you were checking out one of the other great presentations happening at the same time as ours, I have posted the video here for you to watch. Thanks to the MadPow team and Jamie for recording and putting it online.
UX Speakeasy
I am super excited to have the opportunity to work with a great bunch of people to help put on a 1 day conference in San Diego on March 31st. The UX Speakeasy Conference combines User Experience speakers, workshops, panels and exhibitors all in one day, and it is at the San Diego Zoo! Continue Reading →
Designing Your Design Workspace
Earlier in the week I blogged about workspaces. We spend a lot of time in these places so it goes without saying that it can be very beneficial to really a create an enjoyable space that, lends to creativity, comfort, and fun. I asked to see the spaces you have created for yourself, and got some really cool pics in return. Thank you to everyone who contributed. Continue Reading →
IA Summit 2012 Schedule Posted
I am excited to be able to attend and speak at IA Summit 2012 again this year. I will be co-presenting with Adam Connor on the topic of critique. We presented this last year, and at a few conferences since then. We got a very positive response to the content as well as some great feedback, and we are excited to be sharing an updated (and we feel improved) version of the presentation. Continue Reading →