Say No to Itty-Bitty Type
I’m going to design and market eyeglasses that slightly diminish one’s vision. Why, you ask? So I can sell them to Web designers in the hopes that, seeing the world how people over 35 do, they won’t continue to use 10 pixel gray Arial on every site they design.
Cloud Money
Last week I did something amazing: I used my iPhone to deposit a physical, paper check. Using Chase’s mobile application, I entered a few bits of information, snapped photos of the front and back sides of the check, and was done. I received a confirmation email a few moments later, and destroyed the check once ...
Goodbye Site Map, Hello Mind Map
There are a few reasons I’ve almost entirely ditched site maps in favor of mind maps. (Mind maps are traditionally considered tools for concept mapping or diagramming complex ideas, not websites.) First, site maps tend to be better for page-based site diagramming, but as we move toward states and modes, user decisions and flows become ...
Wireless with Wires
The only thing I hate more than wires around my computer are wireless devices. They run out of juice constantly, and recharging them is a hassle. Your options, depending on your wireless device, are: Destroy the environment—and your wallet—with traditional batteries Use rechargeable batteries which last about 3 hours, have a 6-month total lifespan, and ...
Going Mobile?
Thinking of going mobile? If so, there are some important things you should consider. First and foremost, does going mobile make sense for your business? If so, should you build a mobile application (or app) or simply offer a mobile-optimized version of your website?
[caption id="attachment_2280" align="alignnone" width="540" caption="Netsoft's HealthMobile app puts vital information where it belongs: in the hands of users."]
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iJealous
Here are my impressions after using a colleague’s new iPad for a few minutes: It is heavier than I expected, but in a good way; it has a heft and substance that make it feel like a quality product. It is extremely responsive, spritely. Applications launched quickly, scrolling across the desktop felt breezy, and other ...
Speaking of Button Placement…
I love this image (from Alan Cooper via Jeff Atwood’s Coding Horror blog), not least because of the dog jet pilot, but mostly because it so poignantly demonstrates why button placement matters. For more, read Atwood’s excellent entry, The Opposite of Fitt’s Law.
Don’t Forget the Favicon
It’s a small detail that won’t necessarily make or break your site, but the favicon does have its benefits. For one thing, it allows users who bookmark your site to associate a visual mnemonic with your web presence. When they’re rifling through their favorites, a favicon might help your site stand out. And, because many ...
Ugliness Degrades Usability
I often tell people that a good-looking site is also a more usable site. My reasoning goes like this: a major factor in usability is trust. If you don’t trust a site, you’re less likely to use it. In other words, ugly visual design is similar to an overly-complex layout: it prevents people from progressing ...
The Pee Fly Solution
Two truisms: The most effective solution to a problem must acknowledge human behavior The simplest solution is usually the best solution In a practice that began over 20 years ago, urinals around the world are starting to be engraved with one small black fly each. Why? Because it’s a known fact that men like to ...
Great Design Anticipates
The building in which I work has nice, wood-paneled elevators. The elevators are one of the few places everyone in the building passes through, so they provide a logical location for building notices. Unfortunately, the architects didn’t anticipate this use, so now when the building staff need to make an announcement, they simply tape it ...
