A great way to make sure a revision to a wire is noticed is to change the example you are using  ALSO Using relevant examples (text and photos) can go along way in expressing strategy and the strength of the design.

Here’s How it Works

Versioning:

In versions 1-3 you used Ginger’s Dance studio as the example for a Business Detail page, now you have a major revision to make and want to make sure no one accidentally uses the old versions. Change the example business to Hot Dogs Hot Dogs!

Now you can say, “Be sure you the are using the Hot Dogs! Hot Dogs! version”.  So much better than “Are you using version 4?”

This works great for big changes but also for small ones would be easily missed.

Demonstrating Strategy:

I know many of you still use Lorum Ipsum but I’ve switch over to “real” example text/photos as it is a tool for testing the design and expressing the strategy to the team. Don’t get me wrong I don’t write copy for all places copy appears just for the places that are pivotal to understanding the design.

You can often find the perfect copy or photo out on the the web so you don’t even have to spend a bunch of time writing copy when you should be doing one of the other hundred things on the UX plate.

Tyler Thompson has redesigned the Delta boarding pass. I love it!  Who among us hasn’t noticed the awkward, missed opportunity that is this piece of paper millions of people interact with everyday.

His new design is clean and pretty. He thought about how he uses it and how it could become a useful tool for navigating the airport and boarding the plane.

It’s successful for the most part, although I think the target audience for this is me, you and Tyler and maybe not the general public, as we are used to seeing design like this, it may be a bit sophisticated and hard to read for the average flyer. Actually let me correct myself,  the non-average traveler, the most general of the public.

I was thinking though, aside from solving usability issues which would be great. There is an amazing missed opportunity in boarding passes.

Boarding passes represent a specific moment and place in time.

I’d like to see the airlines take full advantage of this. Let’s see the day’s news headlines or ‘It happened today’ facts. How about local history, art and statistics. What about statistics or facts about the relationship between the two locations you are traveling. Ooooh, the poetry of local poets on seasonally appropriate topics. I could keep going, but you get the point.

Some airlines are using the unused portion of the print at home boarding pass to provide travel information, this is nice, but my ideas could turn these into collectibles, kinda like posted stamps. Have some imagination Mr and Mrs Airline.

A: KEXP

As a user I’m not much into watching video online. So many of them are too long, don’t provide enough value and make me feel less in control of my site experience. As a User Experience professional I know I’m not a typical user but I think we as designers could do a bit better when it comes to presenting video on websites.

I like the idea of using video to illustrate how things work and express complicated ideas. Video is also a great way to introduce new, less understood products and services.  The problem I often see with the use of video is the lack of set up, context and definition of expectations.

If you would like a a user to watch your video a great way to do it is to:

1. Tell them what it’s about

2. Tell them what they will get out of watching it

3. Tell them how long it is

4. Design a still image that starts to tell the story

I was reminded of all this by visiting the Wistia site.  Although they don’t hit points #3 & #4. They totally nail points #1 & #2.

The product is also really interesting, I wrote about this topic and the importance of defining success measurements for video a while back here. Looks like this could be a great tool for that.

I am having a positive reaction to this site

for the following reasons….

.

.

The bookmark metaphor

The color coded medium identifiers (colored dots, key in the top left)

Getting a nice preview of the work

Navigating with arrow keys

It mimics the experience of walking through a gallery.

It utilizes the wide screen (i have one so I like it)

I’m so so about the audio announcing each artist. As a an English speaker I enjoy hearing how to pronounce the names.  It is a bit futuristic and creepy though.

(I found the site via SiteInspire)

I like this site.*

1. The colors and texture are really pleasing and unexpected for a staffing site.

2. I’m a fan of using the main navigation to tell the story. By placing it in the middle of the page what’s inside the site is elevated to something worth exploring not just a bunch of links pushed to the side or up in the corner.

This placement allows the eyes to bounce through each navigation label and build a quick understanding of what the site and/or company has to offer.

3. The subtle animations in the hero and the headers of the sub pages are smooth, interesting and add to the experience.

*Yes, there are places it falls apart, especially on some of the internal pages, but I suspect the final comps and interaction plan before development and months of little changes by various business interests, were really great.

If you know me you’ve probably heard me say many times, that I just can’t use online tools, sites or resources that aren’t pleasing to my design and to a certain extent aesthetic sensibilities, although a do appreciate anything well designed even if it isn’t really my taste.

Behold…..FROM THE BASEMENT

Besides the bad ass content, including, photos, well shot HD video and great sound.  The space in which the videos live is simple and let’s you do what you came to do. Rock out, tear up, get inspired, enjoy the music. I even like how a featured video starts when you land on the site. Never thought I’d say that but it envelopes you right away and I guess it just feels good.

If you haven’t checked out the site….have fun….

The Kills

I haven’t done much thinking about Twitter lists yet, but I did stumble upon this very elegant and smart way to use them.   I like that the lists are completely relevant to the profile and answer questions you would like the answer to.

While we are highlighting the smartness of Work [at] Play…you must check out their site.

I love how the background (image of them working) is supporting and standing behind the work (it pops over the background)  nice little metaphor.  I’m also really into the horizontal movement when you navigate.

I feel nothing.

I can not distinguish between them.

I need the label to understand them.

My eyes hurt.

Where would you go for a lunch meeting here in Portland.

It must be yummy, reflect well on our fair city and quiet enough to have a conversation.

Here are the responses from my twitter friends.

skry… Navarre, Blue Hour, Portland City Grill

benry…. “I’d suggest Higgins Restaurant and Bar”

DevilGirlPDX…. “Highly recommend @BellyTimberPDX ! The menu is creative, but simple with a few items to raise eyebrows.”

nick …. ” Heathman, Thyphoon, Newport Bay on the waterfront, or even Henry’s.”  (Newport Bay on the waterfront has closed )

ranielle…. “I’m a fan of the Heathman Restaurant.”

joshuarr…. “Bridgeport Brewery (Pearl), BellyTImber (Hawthorne), ten-01 (pearl), Clyde Common (NW), or Whiffies. )”

chadmor…. “Clyde Common is pretty good for that pdx eclectic charm. Fats pub is good for neighborhood charm.”

What’s your suggestion?  The meeting is next Tuesday.

Thanks!