Posts filed under ‘Technology’
Design: Before and After
Friend or Foe: The Computer
What Happened to Design?
I can’t decide what to title this post. I have many feelings about this particular subject, and I’m not sure where I want them to land.
The subject is the computer and how it has affected design. There are positive and negative effects, but I think I’ll talk about the negative ones today. I’m in that kind of mood.
I’ll start this semi-rant out with a preamble: I’m a traditionally-trained designer, and was schooled in the pre-computer aided design era. So naturally, I view the computer as a tool. Like a pencil or a ruling pen. (I’ve lost half the audience with that one). The computer is an aid to my design; it does not drive it. (more…)
Add comment May 9, 2013
HTML5
When your client asks for HTML5, what does that mean?
Generally speaking—when a client requests HTML5, it means that they want the project to run across all devices (no Flash) and they don’t want to spend a lot of money.
And while many developers talk like HTML5 is the next best thing, possibly destined to save the world, the reality isn’t quite so simple. Here is a quick introduction to what HTML5 can and can’t do for you.
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Add comment March 12, 2013
Using WordPress as a CMS
One of the key features of a corporate CMS is the ability to update pages after they have been published. Part of this update process is to send out the updated pages for review before they are pushed “live.” Out of the box, WordPress (WP) does not do this.
Using WordPress out of th
e box, once you “publish” a web page, it is live. If you then return to the page in edit mode and update the page, you are actually changing the live published version. To the left is the “Publish” panel on the WP edit page.
When a new user first looks at this, they are tempted to think the solution is to change the page’s status from “published” back to “draft” or some other status. But doing so will remove the page from the live site. Not exactly a desired outcome.
Add comment January 29, 2013
The World in Motion
Last month I had the opportunity to write an editorial article for Media Inc. magazine—an industry leading Northwest marketing and advertising publication. I wanted to examine a topic that was not only relevant but that provided opportunities for fellow industry members. Here at HB Design, we’ve experienced a drastic increase in motion graphics work throughout the last few years. I was excited to share with others the benefits and value of digital multimedia as an educational and awareness building device. You can check out the full article here.
Add comment August 9, 2012
Designing Toys
The power of good design takes on many forms and can solve a wide range of challenges. Finding compelling toys for autistic children is one of those challenges. See what two child specialists, an engineer, and an industrial designer at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand have been up to: Meet “Auti,” the Training Toy for Autistic Children.
Add comment July 23, 2012
What is Your Social Network Doing for You?
A recent experience with a very successful event that was announced solely via social media prompted me to examine my social network usage. (more…)
Add comment June 6, 2012
Web-based Applications: Best Practices
One of the services we offer to clients is a usability review of web sites or web-based tools. Sometimes we then are fortunate to help improve the site or tool. Being given the opportunity to review interfaces created by other firms means that we continue to develop our awareness and sensitivity to user interfaces. Because of this background, when we use web sites or web-based applications, we look at them a little differently than the casual user might.
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Add comment May 22, 2012
Usability and Web-based Applications
It seems like everyone and their dogs are rushing to put “applications” on the web. I think this is for two reasons. First, it’s a natural evolution from using static web pages (Web 1.0), to using ajax to make the Web behave more like software (Web 2.0), to using the Internet to “be” software.
Second, using a web browser as the user interface looks like an attractive solution to the problem of designing effective user interfaces, because everyone knows how to use a browser. But web browsers have limitations. And designing effective software interfaces is not a simple task.
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1 comment April 13, 2012
Of Gardeners and Geeks
People have looked at me oddly when I mentioned that people in Korea have used sausages on a stick to use their iPhones. Especially when I add that this Korean snack food had a jump in sales once the word got around that it could be used this way.
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Add comment April 6, 2012
Rethinking Web Design as Living System Design
As designers and programmers, we are regularly faced with projects that have to live both on desktops and on mobile screens – a situation that brings a lot of questions with it.
On the surface there is a basic decision to be made. Do you simplify to make sure every viewer gets something?
Or do you specialize to make sure that your most targeted audience gets an optimal experience?
Or do you invest more time and money to serve up multiple options, so your site is prepared for a variety of possibilities? (more…)
Add comment September 26, 2011
