user interface design
« Previous EntriesArrested Development
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008
I’ve just canceled my Spam Arrest account. At least I think I have. Why would I be unsure? I’ll get back to that.
I signed up with Spam Arrest about a year ago after a trusted friend had strongly recommended it. I wasn’t too worried about spam because I use Gmail and it already has uncannily […]
DrupalCamp Toronto 2008
Wednesday, May 21st, 2008Tom, Conchita and I at The User Advocate Group have been getting very intrigued by the possibilities we envision using the Drupal web application framework. We are happy to announce that The User Advocate Group is a Platinum Sponsor of DrupalCamp Toronto 2008 which takes place at the end of this week.
There will be many […]
Landing on Planet Drupal (or trying to)
Tuesday, May 13th, 2008It’s been just almost a year since I focused my professional attention onto usability for web applications and launched this web site. I’ve known for about eleven-and-a-half months that, as a hybrid between a blog and a business web site, this site has significant issues. My goal was to see if I could mix my […]
Demand More
Saturday, March 29th, 2008What is a software application?
When we think of a software application, most of us will conjure up the image of some sort of user interface splashed across a computer screen. As far as most of us are concerned, whatever is on the screen is the software. Period.
Engineers will tend to look at it […]
Turning New Pages
Thursday, February 28th, 2008As a software artist who is focused on ‘bridging the gap between end users and engineers’ I have always found it necessary and worthwhile to explore the ‘materials’ that I work with. In doing so I can better control the emotional impact of an application on the user: the more I know about how the […]
The Meaning of Art, The Purpose of Technology
Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008As a software artist I am a beast with two heads. I am an artist by compulsion and I am a software designer/engineer both by choice and sheer determination to understand technology. Most people tend to address one head or the other, depending upon whether they meet me first as an artist or as an […]
The (In) Convenience Factor
Tuesday, November 27th, 2007The motto and the objective of The User Advocate Group is to:
“Bridge the Gap Between End Users and Engineers”
Why is there such a gap? Well, there are many reasons such as: “language” differences (”geek-speak” vs. “human-speak”); lack of effective communication channels; economics; priorities (technology-centric vs. user-centric); etc.
But here’s one that came to mind recently as […]
The Occasional Frequent User
Thursday, November 8th, 2007Last weekend we set the clocks back for the winter. It’s always nice to have an ‘extra hour’ and to perhaps do something a little special: lay in bed, go for a leisurely breakfast, take a long walk in the park. It’s one of the perks of living on a tilted globe.
For me, […]
Facing Your Web Monsters
Tuesday, October 30th, 2007Hallowe’en is here – is there a monster lurking in your web site?
Hang on, you don’t believe in monsters? Then let me offer this very practical definition that I once heard and you can think again…
“A ‘monster’ is an aggregation of disparate parts.”
Simple enough and bang on, I think.
Now about your web site. Is […]
The K.I.S.S. of Death for User Interface Design
Monday, September 10th, 2007Probably everyone involved with user interface design has heard the K.I.S.S. maxim.
“Keep It Simple Stupid”
It always struck me as a bit rude to tack that last word on the end. But I suppose the acronym K.I.S. just doesn’t have the same impact. Nevertheless, the word seems to stick out like some loose barb, […]