Posted by: bleubox on: August 28, 2009
Posted by: bleubox on: August 28, 2009
If you haven’t seen Art & Copy yet, or won’t … it’s focuses on how ads are really supposed to change us, move us in a way. If ads don’t move you, what are they doing? Emotion is key. Provided below, is by far, one of the best ads I’ve ever seen. It really does make you believe that you… can just do it.
The same idea revolves around User Experience. If we are not delighting the consumer,… what are you creating exactly?
Posted by: bleubox on: August 19, 2009
Good morning!
Provided below is a link to a great presentation by Nick Finck of Blue Flavor. You’ll find that he gets really deep into the good & bad of specific websites. In addition, you’ll find a great overview of what UX is all about and the criteria that he worked with to evaluate these websites.
http://www.slideshare.net/nickf/user-experience-best-practices
Enjoy!
Posted by: bleubox on: August 15, 2009
A short tutorial on Usability Testing provided for by theUEGroup.
Posted by: bleubox on: August 15, 2009
I think it’s safe to say that the User Experience is valued at Google.
A company who strives to give you the information that you need, when you want it, rather than all the information you’d ever want, at all times. The non-clutter of it all! At Google, quality matters. You’d think this is common, but it’s really not. Not everyone cares if their products work.
The video below reviews the science and art of User Experience at Google. If there is anyone’s UX seminar I’d like to attend, it’s this one. Although Google’s design is often simple … and well, white. They have known when to add that extra decor in changing their logos and constantly providing us with added value applications that we can’t live without.
Check out the insights they’ve implemented into their strategies. Their data driven decision making has made quite a difference. It was great to see how they have worked with users over the years to improve their products.
Posted by: bleubox on: August 15, 2009
Users,
I was lucky enough to find a very basic walk through of how user experience has evolved over the years. The notion of technological advancements has always been acknowledged, but until recently has there been any focus on the actual user.
The video provided is discussing UX Design for Non-Designers by Shawn Konopinsky, an award-winning team leader, who heads User Experience for Infusion Development.
This should help you become familiar with the basics of UX. It also taps into why it’s so important now more than ever to keep UX first in mind.
Enjoy!
Posted by: bleubox on: August 14, 2009
“The best way to learn a new language is to go to a country where it’s spoken and immerse yourself in the confusion. Soon the unfamiliar will become familiar, and before you know it you’ll be fluent.”
Pleasure & Pain (whitneyhess.com/blog)
I’ve been reading Whitney Hess’ blog for about week now. A friend of mine recommended the site to get a feel for what User Experience was all about. In addition to her blog, she posted a list of additional blogs that you might want add into your reader. The more you know about UX design and strategy, the faster you’ll get a hang of this. Enjoy!
UX BLOGS
Tips, tools and techniques for being a better user experience designer
The ins and outs of designing a product with an existing, and passionate, community
A fresh look at the world around us through UX-tinted glasses
Critical analysis of some of the toughest issues facing UX designers today
Cubical-wall worthy quotations from a variety of practitioners on how and why to create positive user experiences
For everything you need to consider when designing socially-focused stuff
Reusable visualizations and valuable synthesis at the intersection of user experience design, marketing and business
A great resource for all things UX from around the globe
Inside the brilliant minds of user research pioneer Jared Spool and his team
Insights into all the ways companies need to be communicating with their customers, outside of their websites
A group blog written by up-and-coming designers and developers with fresh perspectives on user experience design. They represent the next generation of our community
Posted by: bleubox on: August 14, 2009
As of last month, I had no clue what I wanted to do with my career. I was often scared that I wouldn’t find something that would allow me to shine. I’ve lost my patience time and time again, but I stumbled across a job description that has given me the sensation of hope. User Experience! If anyone has anything to say about how things flow, why they are good, why they are bad, and what needs to be called out… it’s me.
Although I am an American citizen, most of my adolescent life was spent in a third world country. I suppose that this nurtured some tolerance in me when experiences were not as pleasant as they could be. Well, the grass is definitely greener on the other side, … because I moved to NY and I started noticing that though there is an improvement, it’s not squeaky clean ’round here. With time, I’ve more often than not left a site, a store, a leasing office, a service provider with a sensation of anger and rage. Why? What were you thinking when you designed this experience? The truth is that there was probably little to no thought given to the user’s experience. Sad & stupid, I know.
It wasn’t too long ago that I decided I’d like to be a part of the group of people that actually say something about it. Besides, I think my friends don’t want to hear it anymore. Companies, institutions, organizations, and individuals should pride themselves in providing a good experience. It doesn’t mean bending over backwards, it just means, doing it right.
This is my deep dive into User Experience, revealing the good stuff & the bad, online and off. Join me on this journey!
