Re: [IxDA Discuss] Offtopic: What music do you listen to while you design
Minimalist, quiet, ambient, repetitive music. Steve Reich, Shuttle358, Sakamoto, Oval, Harold Budd, etc. Something to fill the air without being annoying or sappy. Scott McD- I saw LPD live while in college. Weird show. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=26467 Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] How you usually conduct a usability study?
Lya, the answer you seek depends greatly on the type/size of the project, the allocated timeline, available resources, budget, etc. I prefer doing small groups in sprints of ~five users, one at a time. This can be remote or in person; I prefer in person b/c facial expressions can reveal hesitation or frustration that might otherwise go unrecorded. Two or three sprints per project has worked for me, but again this can vary. I design a script of tasks based upon stakeholder goals, specific pain points and features that have changed since the last version. I ask users to do something and rate the efficiency of the system's response on a scale of 1 to 5. Any opportunity for feedback, advice, criticism, questions, complaints or additional commentary is cheerfully received and encouraged. Paper/pens or a whiteboard should be within easy access. Any predetermined opinions I have are kept well in check - they have no place here. They say it helps if you have a third person around to take notes or whatever, but I find that users will give more honest feedback if they don't feel outnumbered. I try to keep the test as far from a lab situation as possible. Number one rule = make sure the folks you're working with understand that you're testing the software/prototype/application, not their ability as a user. And *always* thank them for their contributions; I also like to provide a follow-up email upon release to let them know how things worked out. Hope this helps. Good luck ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=25862 Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Less talking, more doing (was: Thoughts on Alan Cooper's Keynote)
I didn't take the unsubscribe recommendation literally (that struck me more as an emphatic attempt to get their point across). I do grow weary of topics that endure long past their expiration date. I also agree that idiopathic chest-pounding shouldn't be interpreted as advocation on behalf of our users. I think Rich states it best - there is good stuff to be found if you're in the right place with the right people. I personally have no use for endless is not/are too debates, so I don't bother. However, the guidance I've received from IxDA colleagues has always been timely, respectfully delivered and relevant. I'm grateful that folks here will take the time to provide their perspective on technical or political issues common to our practice. As with all things, use your personal filter and consider the source. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=25870 Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Sharepoint
Awesome feedback, everyone. A lot here of great value. Keep it coming. Many thanks! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://gamma.ixda.org/discuss?post=24692 *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
[IxDA Discuss] Sharepoint
Would be curious to learn about any experiences that UX/UI practitioners have had designing within a Sharepoint environment. Any particular constraints, successes, regrets, warnings are cheerfully received. Thanks all! *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Are required field notations really necessarywith radio button selections?
Ah, that's a good one Bryan. Thanks! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://gamma.ixda.org/discuss?post=22545 *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Are required field notations really necessarywith radio button selections?
I've always included one preselected item among a group of radio buttons. Doing such implies the required status of the grouping. The only exception would be an instance where we cannot legally provide that option by default; the user must opt-in. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://gamma.ixda.org/discuss?post=22545 *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] How to help a new employee to get started
First week, schedule arranged lunches with various members of the organization. Doesn't have to be someone within your team - just names and faces to establish some familiarity. Then introduce project scope and get her fresh take on processes, concepts, etc. Most of all, include her on meetings relevant to the project she'll be working on; emphasize that she's not yet expected to contribute meaningful, although her thoughts are cheerfully anticipated. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://gamma.ixda.org/discuss?post=22702 *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] How to handle clients...
First, determine if this is even worth your time and effort. You mention that it's a tight deadline with a small budget; I'd be inclined to satisfy the client's request. That being said, I would schedule a meeting with the stakeholder and respectfully make your case. Frame it in such a way that lets the boss know you are aware and understand the directive being asked of you. Provide rationale (again, respectfully) using any specifics you have. Listen to the reasoning behind his/her wishes. It's a tricky balance, Björn. In the end, do what's best for a harmonious client-vendor relationship. Good luck with it. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://gamma.ixda.org/discuss?post=22264 *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Do you change who you are for participants?
Interesting question. I've never altered my stated role for the purpose of a test; I think it's because I've only run tests on systems that someone else designed. I can certainly see where it would be best to not reveal that information, or at least mitigate the potential for the outcome you describe. On this topic, however, I think it's important to emphasize to participants that their opinion is important - no matter what it is. Something like You can do or say no wrong today. You won't hurt my feelings, you won't waste anyone's time, and you won't cost the company any money. We're asking people what they think because we want to improve the product, and your honesty is critical to that process. Even with that, though, you'd be surprised how often users apologize for offering constructive criticism. Must have something to do with level 3 of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://gamma.ixda.org/discuss?post=22197 *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Using color to identify content, or types of action, or both?
Ben, are there any offline collateral or other materials you can reference? Maybe a brochure or something to help you understand how the bright colors could be utilized. I tend to agree with your approach towards employing a more conservative palette. Bold colors can be tricky to work with. You might consider looking at some examples from this site [http://www.designmeltdown.com/] to get a feel for how others approach similar challenges. Two things I would also think about, and these are very general (since I don't know the specifics of your client/project). One: color has different meanings in different cultures. For example, in the US red means danger or warning; in China, it means good luck. If your app is intended for international audiences, that's something to consider. Second: not sure if color blindness is an issue, but I always try to be sensitive to that if I'm forced to use color to denote a section or function. Vischeck [http://www.vischeck.com/] is a pretty decent simulator. Not sure if I've been especially helpful here, but good luck. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://gamma.ixda.org/discuss?post=22134 *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help
