I have an addiction to drop shadows

So I was really bored after everyone left today at work so I decided to work on a new Blog design. You can see from the screenshot above what it looks like and you can download the Photoshop File Here. As you can see from the design a took a lot of color and visual cues from the current IxDA website. I was attempting to achieve a good balance of our own style with that of the existing IxDA. This way people would associate PhIxDA with IxDA. I still need to layout what a single post would look like with comments as well as what the comment entry page would look like. I have a goal for the weekend though.

Let me know what you all think of it and please feel free to add to the Photoshop file and destroy what you like in it.

P.S. I am hooked on drop shadows and have been for a long time. I need to cure myself of this illness but I have yet to find another way to create depth in my designs. I do feel however that when used correctly drop shadows are a very useful and important element to design.

meeting notes 20071016

My Goodness my Guinness!

Focus - we talk about this a lot. We are getting together to talk about interaction design, not just interaction design for web. Currently the web is our common ground. While we don't want our group to grow out of control, we are interested in becoming more diverse. In these early meeting it is very important to clearly establish some goals for the group.

Exercises

• Something to consider: Home Depot kitchen triangle for cooking design
  
• Blog Studies:
• What is a blog
• a place to review products and services
• a scrapbook of ideas
• What is a good structure for Blogs
• pages?
• sort by date
• tags
• What is a blog really
  
• information stored in a database that is queried and displayed
  
• Phixda logo:
• automagically
• What are the rules:
• and how can we break them

Discussion: what is interaction design and how does it compare to other design disciplines? We went around the table and asked everyone this question. Bryan quoted boxes and arrows

In the end, interaction design is the choreography and orchestration of these form-based design disciplines to create that holistic narrative between human(s) and the products and systems around us.

we agreed that ixd is more than instructional design. we agreed that it is more than visual design. We considered how ixd has something to do with being able to change something in a predetermined and non-destructive way. We never really settled on a definition, but we did make several insightful observations: paintings have conversations with viewers, led zeppelin 3 has a wheel that spins, interaction design has something to do with feedback, and as we get deeper into the conversation we realize we sound more and more like "The Matrix"

The Junto Experience

I attended the Junto meeting at P'UNK Avenue last night. It was a very sobering experience. The organization of the group is very solid and they have a very specific goal when they meet. Let me first say that if you haven't already you should really sign up on the mailing list for Junto. It is the only way to get the information about the next Junto which will focus on design. Go Here to sign up... now!

With that said, here is how the meeting went:

I arrived there at 6pm when it was supposed to start and there were only a handful of people. I sat down with a few people, introduced myself and got a little background as to who they were and what they did. It seems that the people there have been doing it for a while now and they all knew each other so I felt a little bit as the odd man out. The people were a good mix. There were some interior designers, graphic designers, web developers, architects and instructional designers. It was a great mix that really tugged at each others thoughts and generated some very stimulating conversation. We all mingled till about 7:15 when Geoff stepped up and got everyones attention and the discussion started.



He went over the article and pulled points from it. There was a small exchange of questions from the group towards Geoff but that was only pertaining to our tasks. What they had planned was for there 2 be two groups, one that was for an open, new age work space and the other was a strict, regimented work space. We had 15 minutes to discuss our points amongst the group and establish a basis for our argument. We then were each given 4 minutes to state our point and argument for the type of work space we were assigned. Once the argument was made by both teams, a 2 minute rebuttal took place. These rebuttals brought in the rest of the group as we all chimed in with our personal views.

After that a brief review of the night and some propaganda about Junto took place then it went back to the mingle and discuss atmosphere. I stayed until about 9:15 and there were still a good amount of people there talking and drinking and doing what I expected people like them to do, be creative amongst a group.

Over all I left with a brighter view and outlook on what exactly it is I am doing in my profession. It was very refreshing to sit and listen to others and have them listen to me as well. The fact that these people are so accepting of outside opinions is amazing. They don't argue amongst themselves and try to one up each other. Rather they engage in meaningful and purposeful debate. All in all I was a lot happier after I left the meeting then when I arrived. It was a nice break from the monotony that has taken hold in my life and I really look forward to the next meeting. Hope you all can make it next time.

impressions: lm3labs web site

Lee sent out an email with this link - http://www.lm3labs.com/ on October 1st.

I really like their products and they have an interesting interface for their website. I wish the website was more helpful. I have some thoughts.

It is all flash and it is nicely done. You should all know by now how I feel about flash, but just in case you don't - flash is super cool and I love it, but I don't think it is a good idea to build a site entirely in flash. You would think that a company that is making some really cool and pioneering interfaces would have spent a little more time trying to understand the Internet.

There is a lot of visual noise and it would have been nice to have been able to turn off the styles and just see the links and the information - thanks flash. one of my favorite things about the site was the drop down that didn't drop down.

it is just there. I click on the top link and that sub-nav is just there. It only goes away when I navigate away. It is annoying that I have to constantly see a loading bar while navigating the site. At least I don't have to worry about my hand being too shaky to keep it hovered over the drop down.

After several minuets of clicking around I still had no idea what lm3labs did. I clicked on all the links and I saw pretty pictures and some white text. I didn't read any of it. I don't usually take the time to read when looking at a web site. I just scan for pictures and headings. I clicked on all the links on the top horizontal navigation bar but I still had no idea why Lee had sent the link. I was about to close the site and just happened to look in the lower left (one of the worst places to put links to important information) and noticed two additional links - the showreel link launched a video that finally showed me what I wanted to know. The video is very cool, but there was no volume control. I don't think there is narration. I turned it off cause I didn't want to listen to their midi loop.

After watching part of the video, I was interested in learning more. Clicking the news brings up an box - looks like they are still working on their news feed.

In the end I was fascinated and frustrated.

tags for now

until we use a blog that supports multiple pages, we should take advantage of the tagging system.

i've started a subsection called "Meeting Notes" which is pretty obvious, but there might be more categories that need to be grouped together. exercises, homework, events, links, etc.

i propose we either move to a new blog that supports what we want, or we determine a system of tagging to help organize what i imagine will be an absurd amount of information (which should probably be done anyway).

define interaction design

Bryan's quote from boxes and arrows

In the end, interaction design is the choreography and orchestration of these form-based design disciplines to create that holistic narrative between human(s) and the products and systems around us.

Geoff From P'UNK AVE

Big thanks to Geoff DiMasi for finding our blog. Sorry about the restrictions that would not let you post. i am more then happy to post what you sent in your email to us however. We look forward to attending the meeting this Thursday and If you would like, we extend an invitation to you and others to come sit with us and discuss Interaction Design. We will be meeting at the POPE. There is a post below explaining more about it. thanks again for stopping by Geoff.

Thanks for posting on the Junto. As bit of a background, we started this up in March 07. It is a revival of a group that Ben Franklin started to "provide a structured forum for discussion" and "to debate questions of morals, politics, and natural philosophy and to exchange knowledge of business affairs" with a

group of people that "all shared a spirit of inquiry and a desire to improve themselves, their community, and to help others."

We try to do the same.

We are going to be discussing a cool article written by Malcolm Gladwell at this Thursday's Junto.

Please be prepared if you are planning on coming!

This is the info on it:

Junto: Urban Planning & The Workplace

Thursday, October 18, 2007, 6 pm

This month's session on Urban Planning & The Workplace will be led by me. For the first time, there is a homework component. It is a short and stimulating read by Malcolm Gladwell, entitled "Designs for Working."

http://www.gladwell.com/2000/2000_12_11_a_working.htm

(You can read it online or download a PDF off this page.)

Published in 2000, it seems very relevant to many of the ideas and concepts that we have discussed already at the previous Juntos.

I am really looking forward to this discussion.

If you pass along the word to someone not on the email list, please let them know about the article.

What to bring:

Once again, a potluck of sorts... we provide the beer and best tomato pie in the city... you bring something to share.

Where:

P'unk Avenue

1168 E. Passyunk Avenue

Philadelphia 19147

Thanks,

Geoff DiMasi

P.S. Next month's Junto will be on design.

Junto on Pashunk

The people down at P'UNK Avenue have been doing something close to what we are setting out to do since March 07 (Thanks for the correction Geoff) and they call it Junto. They are doing it again this Thursday at their office in soufPhilly on Pashunk (your welcome Megan) as always. It's one block above Genos Steaks for those less inclined to use Google Maps.

I think it is worth attending and checking out. I'll send around the email I received this weekend from them that gives more details about the meeting this Thursday the 18th. Thank Megan Heffernan for introducing us to these guys. Don't forget about our meeting tomorrow night at the POPE in soufPhilly either, it is also on Pashunk.

Addition:
Look at this post above. Geoff was kind enough to stop by our blog and sent us more information about the event.

PhIxDA Meeting 10/9

Chris and myself met at the POPE in South Philly for a few drinks and to discuss PhIxDA. We started off talking about how 2 weeks into us starting to meet, we almost didn't and how disconcerting that was and that as long as its more then one person getting together on a regular basis we could consider it a PhIxDA meeting. We then talked briefly about what we felt the goals of the group are and how we see the group growing and expanding to other fields such as interior design, graphic design, engineering etc. From there Chris and I began a dialog on the delivery of information in an educational environment. We discussed how we perceive people accept and retain information and talked a lot about learning patterns. We also discussed the role of an Instructional Designer, specifically the role of an Instructional Designer on projects without Interaction Designers. I feel that as an Interaction Designer we are not only developers, but Instructional Designers as well. We make a lot of decisions relating to graphics and interactions that affect how the end user will utilize our product. This to me is not just Instructional Design but more Interaction Design, a merger of a lot of disciplines into one role that is involved in all processes from beginning to end. Chris believes that instructional design has less to do with interaction design and more to do with chunking Information and mapping it to curriculum. We also discussed good models for teaching people that currently exist. I used the example of how a good video game instructs users how to use the controls and then in the first level of game play gives small hints as needed. eventually leaving you on your own after a while. Chris agrees that play is a very useful tool in learning. but goes on to say that the subject matter drives the delivery method. Different subject matter would require different models. He plans on researching and mapping out some basic templates. (hopefully he will share them with us). One example would be the VisualQuickStart Guide series of books. This shows how small chunks of information can lead to an understanding of a bigger picture.

Next PhIxDA Meeting

The next meeting will be at the POPE (Pub on Passyunk East) at 6:30 pm this Tuesday October 16th 2007.

View Larger Map
Some of the topics we will be addressing is a logo for the group, more reviews of current interactive designs we have stumbled upon and as always we will be discussing further what the long term goals of our group are.

IKEA - Form not Function

So it seems that IKEA has launched a new site pertaining to their kitchens. Of course its flashy and all glitzy. I found this by visiting Stephen Gates Blog(http://www.stephengates.com/Blog/), which even though his personal site is terrible, what he reviews and talks about has is interesting. I'll post his comments below:

IKEA has launched the next installment in their dream kitchen online experience. The original version that looked like a middle class version of the Matrix let you spin in a 360 degree arc moving between different frozen scenes and kitchens. The new version keeps the same simple control scheme of letting you one of two ways but this time instead of a circle you are moving along a linear path through the scenes. This way at any point you can turn around and go back the way you came only from the opposite point of view. Unlike the previous version the scenes are now separated by you having to fly through kaleidoscope style product montages.

For me the comparison between the two versions of the site is interesting because even though the control scheme is the same the change to the linear format makes it feel very confined and not nearly as engaging. In the latest version you are also much more aware that you are just scrubbing back and forth through a video because the transitions between the scenes aren't as clever and seamless. It's always hard if not impossible to follow up a successful site with one that is just as good and innovative but you leave this experience wishing IKEA would have found the next great interactive idea instead of trying to relive past glory.

So he makes some good points. I never viewed the old version as he has but from viewing this version I agree that the navigation is very confining and linear. The linearity of it is a good thing when dealing with static interaction but when presenting it in such a dynamic format you lose the user immediately in my opinion. Stephen's description of

...leave this experience wishing IKEA would have found the next great interactive idea instead of trying to relive past glory

is very profound in my opinion. It shows that with interactivity people seem to be expecting better things each time and that the old, which could have been perfect, is not always the best solution because it just worked.

This brings me to a question I want you all to answer. In interaction design, what do you define as a good balance between that next great step forward and the undeniable delivery of content?

What... is your Quest?

All Monty Python jokes aside, what is the current focus of our group? We are all under the impression that it will be based around Interaction Design, thats a given. How will we focus though in the broad spectrum that is IxD? Do we discuss how Flash is less superior in the delivery of large amounts of information? Do we discuss ways to engage the public to make them think more about their interactions with technology?

I think we should find a focus for the time being and do some research. Something like creating a challenge amongst ourself. Maybe go out and look at kiosks, how they are packaged, what information is given to the user, how will the user benefit from that information and was the interaction to gain all of this worth it? In the words of Bryan , for the user, "did it just work?" or did they have to fight and become frustrated with their quest?

What... is your favorite color?

Freelance Charge Numbers

Here is something that Lee and I were discussing Friday night, what are the guidelines for charging for freelance work. Flat Rate vs Hourly? Different rates for different services? Reason I am asking is that there is obviously more involved in say PHP coding then say regular HTML. How much is a fair hourly rate for say an intermediate PHP developer? Should the rate be based on experience? Should that rate include research time needed to complete the project? Thoughts anyone?

2007.10.02 - meeting notes

[unedited]

try using google docs, blogs, forums for common place for our notes

philadelphia ixda - probably a blog on blogger.

chris will set up blog - tom morning.

phixda

purpose
lee - "explore the current usage of ixd and where we want it to go"
to create a mouth piece -co/op of designers to do things outisde of work...
natural curiosit

ideas to start with:
interacive mall map.
mall directory.

fedeal gov will fund grants and co-op...

bryan
"i want to live in a world full of cool interactions"

"it should just work"

"phixda automagically"

"it shouldn't just work, it should at least work" - jk (i just made that up [a IV3 concept])

goals: share ideas, meet other people.. the more we write and talk about whats in our head the easier it will be to complete these sentences.

jason: i'm here to program and to learn from people who are better designers than myself.

steve: i really just hate this stuff... i want to get back into php.
background: comp sci, database, sys des, business, gen ed.

smiling faces
happy people
infrastructure, dept for usability testing
interaction d
instruction d
support
variety of differnt products
training, conferences
forward thinking
"heath 2.0"

mbc, digitas, french company...

career path...

write a charter. goals, people involved. set a goal... report status.

bryan to share docs with everyone

competitions! web/desktop based.

It just works

I'm very glad Automagically is the title of our blog (thanks Chris). I first found the word on thinkgeek.com in one of their product descriptions. I immediately loved the word because it reflects how many people perceive the internal mechanisms of computers and the internet. People will form their own mental models of how they imagine these complex systems work. We, as designers, should represent our program's functionality as closely to our users’ mental models as possible in order to make the program easier to use and understand.