Re: [IxDA Discuss] Just Because You Can Innovate Doesn\'t Mean You Should

First, this is awesome, David: "Instead I think we should be asking: What is the best design we can create that will work (for users as well as business)—that can and will be implemented?" Your consideration for business, technology and people is consistently spot on. Keep rockin', it's really h

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Just Because You Can Innovate Doesn't Mean You Should

I'm tuning in a bit late here, so forgive me if someone also has made my points. A couple of things about innovation. First, unlike invention, innovation is planned and never happens by accident. This is an absolutely critical distinction. Second, it always solves a problem; if it doesn't solve a

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Forms as gates to further information

Your stakeholder may say "it's an industry standard," but (1) that doesn't mean it's the right thing to do, and (2) are users for that particular industry all satisfied with the current state of affairs (and does the stakeholder actually know)? Perhaps a more transparent, less deceitful user exper

[IxDA Discuss] [Event] IxDA-SF and Microsoft co-present Sketchflow on Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Our friends at Microsoft have a new product designed specifically for interaction designers and IAs. It's called Sketchflow (part of the Blend 3 product), and it enables the sort of rapid and robust prototyping that is a key part of what many of us do on a daily basis. A couple of us were invited o

[IxDA Discuss] Reminder: IxDA needs your input and feedback this week

On Friday the IxDA Board of Directors will be gathering in San Francisco for our annual retreat through Sunday, and we will be meeting with the local IxDA group on Saturday evening. We will be coming from Australia, Brazil, and every time zone in the US. In preparation, we'd like to gather any fe

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Visio and InDesign compatibility?

On Aug 11, 2009, at 7:15 PM, Kim McGalliard wrote: This isn't an argument about which is better because I think they both have their strengths and weaknesses (you can do tons of stuff with Visio, and Excel, xml and macros that you can't do with InDesign). Not meant to be an argument. Jus

[IxDA Discuss] [JOB] Senior UI Architect/Developer, NYC | 120-150k

Position: Senior UI Architect/Developer Location: New York City Relocation: Possible for a superb-match candidate Duration: Full time/permanent - on-site Salary: 120-150k (dep on experience) Visa: US Citizens, EAD or green card only please Front-office credit risk technology group is initia

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Visio and InDesign compatibility?

This isn't an argument about which is better because I think they both have their strengths and weaknesses (you can do tons of stuff with Visio, and Excel, xml and macros that you can't do with InDesign). My main point is that any UX/UI/IxD should know BOTH programs especially because they don't w

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Visio and InDesign compatibility?

Hey, if you are an Omnigraffle user, just export the finished Omnigraffle files as Visio XML. I'm using the current version 5 of Omnigraffle BTW. I just bring my MBP to work and do it next to my PC then transfer files via sneakernet/USB disk. Omnigraffle also opens Viso files easily for re-editing

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Visio and InDesign compatibility?

On Aug 11, 2009, at 5:26 PM, Kim McGalliard wrote: It's not difficult, and besides the flexibilty that masters give you in InDesign, you can do pretty much the same stuff as with InDesign. Visio doesn't even come close to what you can do w/ID for wireframing and documentation. ID's typogra

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Forms as gates to further information

>From jennifer wolfgang > > FYI, what I just heard from the stakeholder is that "this is an > understood expectation" from the types of people who even get to > this page. That it is essentially industry standard to not tell them > there's a form; they understand that is the process. You know, th

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Forms as gates to further information

FYI, what I just heard from the stakeholder is that "this is an understood expectation" from the types of people who even get to this page. That it is essentially industry standard to not tell them there's a form; they understand that is the process. Now, I don't know if that is true or not as I'v

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Visio and InDesign compatibility?

There really isn't a way to do this. Visio doesn't have layers in the same way that the Adobe products do. Really the only thing you can do is save your Visio files (each page/tab) as .gifs or .jpgs and use them as masters or elements (or layers) in your InDesign pages. But then they will ju

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Current Design Topics

On Aug 11, 2009, at 3:20 PM, Marc Rettig wrote: You didn't say who your students are, or what the course goals might be. Allow me to correct that. These are masters students (and likely a couple of advanced seniors) in a relatively traditional Graphic Design program. In the past, they h

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Current Design Topics

On Aug 11, 2009, at 7:56 AM, David Malouf wrote: Jack, the item listing is all I can go on. It is listed as, "Formal Education vs. Self-taught " versus in my book is usually set up as a dichotomy. Ah, I see. I didn't realize you were referring to this specific item in my list. Yes, I agree

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Consistent Usage of Log In/Log Out versus Login/Logout

Sarah Weise: > > Research shows us that small words > written in title case (first > letter of each word is capitalized) - > instead of sentence case (only > the first letter of the first word is capitalized) > - are easier to read. Could you quote the reference(s) for the research? This

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Consistent Usage of Log In/Log Out versus Login/Logout

I agree with both of you, Sarah and Paulo. Log In/Log Out seems to be the most logical choice. Paulo, I believe Log In/Log Out describes an account, whereas Sign In/Out describes a service at an account. It is incomprehensible to me why some sites still persist in mixing the noun and verb forms.

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Visio and InDesign compatibility?

Jon, As you know InDesign is really a page layout program and Visio is a project management app. The two will never really mesh, but look at this page for some suggestions: http://www.visioformac.com/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Dynamic graphics

This response is in addition to the last paragraph of Joe Lanman's post (Aug 11th, 5:19 am). Ian, if you decide to use Python, you may also look into PIL (Python Imaging Library v1.1.6). This library handles a variety of image shapes and formats: http://www.pythonware.com/products/pil/ I am not s

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Current Design Topics

Hi Jack, You didn't say who your students are, or what the course goals might be. So maybe you already have this covered, but I'd add: - Core readings in design (e.g., Dreyfuss' "Designing for People," maybe Victor Papanek, a few selected papers,...) - Selected surveys or cases from the major com

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Current Design Topics

Jack, the item listing is all I can go on. It is listed as, "Formal Education vs. Self-taught " versus in my book is usually set up as a dichotomy. 1) There are huge & important issues in just formal education 2) Even w/in "self-taught" there is a continuum, no? books, conferences, mentorships, et

Re: [IxDA Discuss] [Event Reminder UPDATED] Chicago IxDA AUGUST Social

Sorry for the repeat everyone - the RSVP form for tomorrow's Chicago event can be seen here: http://tinyurl.com/m2zpd5 > AUGUST SOCIAL --- NOTE TIME & VENUE CHANGE > > Please join us on Wednesday, August 12th for our next Chicago IxDA gathering! > Chris Bernard of Microsoft will be hosting the

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Forms as gates to further information

Caroline - thanks for the swift reply. I'm about to head into a meeting about this page, so it is very helpful. I was also considering the form on the same page may possibly be just as uninviting. And, in our case, it's a bit long (they want all sorts of data). Mike - I completely agree with your

Re: [IxDA Discuss] How To Host an IxDA Speed Mentorship Night!

That sounds so awesome! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=44569 Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Forms as gates to further information

Jennifer, I think you're 100% correct in suggesting an alternative to the proposed design. Speaking just as a user of the web, rather than a IxD practitioner, I can tell you that would tick me off! When I've had that sort of thing happen to me I will almost always just say, "forget it," and not

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Greyed background for popups

Brandon, would love to hear why you hate modal popovers... can you elaborate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=44487 Welcome to the I

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Visio and InDesign compatibility?

Oh...just say the price...kinda expensive! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=44568 Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Visio and InDesign compatibility?

Jon, Not sure how good this would work, but how about converting to PDF first. Here's a little tool I heard about called "PDF2ID", not sure how good it works. Hope this helps. http://www.recosoft.com/ -mo- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new i

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Consistent Usage of Log In/Log Out versus Login/Logout

There have been several postings about this topic on IXDA this year, evaluating Log In/Log Out vs. Log in/Log out vs. Login/Logout vs. Sign In/Sign Out vs. Sign in/Sign out. Research shows us that small words written in title case (first letter of each word is capitalized) - instead of sentence ca

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Forms as gates to further information

Jennifer Wolfgang: > The process that our stakeholder wants is > to have a page with, say, > an executive summary to 'entice' > people to then click on a link > that then takes the user to a form page. > > Unfortunately, that link says only, "Read study". > It does not in any way establish th

[IxDA Discuss] Forms as gates to further information

Hi all - I've been tasked recently with producing pages that serve as access points for visitors to either view or download more content (be it HTML or PDF). The process that our stakeholder wants is to have a page with, say, an executive summary to 'entice' people to then click on a link that th

[IxDA Discuss] How To Host an IxDA Speed Mentorship Night!

IxDA Toronto recently had a very successful event centred around creating a culture of mentorship in our local community. Since it went so well, we thought we'd share our experiences with everyone else... so you can host your own! The event was based on the model of a speed dating night, except wi

[IxDA Discuss] Visio and InDesign compatibility?

Hi all- I just started working at a firm that uses Visio as its standard wireframe tool. I also have InDesign on my machine and would prefer to use this instead. (personally, omnigraffle fan here, but I'm required to use Windows) Searches for related keywords, an IxDA discussion search, and anoth

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Current Design Topics

On Aug 11, 2009, at 5:01 AM, David Malouf wrote: Please for the love of g-d lose the "certification" bit. Where is this relevant in design today? Yep, that's one that I wasn't planning on using. Four years ago, it was a hot topic. I also think that issues in design education are far dee

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Real-time update examples

http://corp.daylife.com/publisher_services Daylife. (or www.daylife.com) Kinda expensive, but the concept is kinda sweet. Basically no work after initial setup, or so it seems. (my 2 cents). Seems to work best for media related topics/subject matters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Current Design Topics

On 11 Aug 2009, at 09:01, David Malouf wrote: [snip] Collaboration (designers & non-designers) [snip] ++ to that. Cheers, Adrian -- http://quietstars.com - twitter.com/adrianh - delicious.com/adrianh Welcome to the Inte

[IxDA Discuss] Real-time update examples

I am looking for some interesting (or at least usable) examples of real-time data update using Ajax. I am particularly keen on seeing good solutions to the problem of indicating data 'freshness', especially where different parts of a display might be updated at different times. Please send any f

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Current Design Topics

What Phillip said Considerations in aesthetics beyond the visual Design as problem solving vs. design as idea manifestation Design Research Getting designs executed Tools & Materials (not all hammers are equal and some are even bad with nails) Collaboration (designers & non-designers) Leaving t

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Flowchart: action box or decision box?

I'm with Mike. Additionally, if your docs are being reviewed by engineers, you'll be better off sticking to traditional/logical treatments of decision nodes (they'll appreciate it/won't make fun of the IA). -Anne On Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 3:40 AM, Mike Myles wrote: > What you're trying to chart is

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Greyed background for popups

Launching videos from the side bar at Facebook utilizes this semitransparent "white screen" effect. It is indeed much less jarring than semitransparent black. Oleh Kovalchuke Interaction Design is design of time http://www.tangospring.com/IxDtopicWhatIsInteractionDesign.htm On Mon, Aug 10, 2009

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Just Because You Can Innovate Doesn\'t Mean You Should

I don't think there is any one way to answer the question "What is innovative?" I view it more as a continuum where you have on one side things that are "not innovative". They are traditional, not risky, or they've been done before. On the other side is "innovative", which are things that are new,

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Flowchart: action box or decision box?

On Mike's note: I have found that a system's behavior can be modeled in two ways. For engineers, there is the UML Activity Diagram, which is what the first link refers to. And then there is Garrett's Information Architecture/Navigation Map/UI flow diagram. They look deceptively similar because they

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Flowchart: action box or decision box?

What you're trying to chart is a switch statement. It can be done with multiple decision nodes. Here is an example... http://www.gailer-net.de/tutorials/java/Notes/chap43/ch43_8.html And there is more info here on charting different decision statements... http://www2.tech.purdue.edu/eet/courses

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Flowchart: action box or decision box?

I would use the decision diamond as this is what is traditionally used in flowcharts to represent a decision needing to be made, in this case, probably what is the user doing to create which state in the system. If there is a generic decision, such as "What happens?" then have five different paths

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Current Design Topics

Hey Jack, Quick thoughts to consider are Sustainable design and Social and organizational change relating to design. Both could conceivably be under other topics, but might merit individual focus. Phillip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new i

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Flowchart: action box or decision box?

Thanks for the great explanation! This is quite helpful! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=44552 Welcome to the Interaction Design Ass

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Flowchart: action box or decision box?

my 2c what I would do in this situation: The user sees one screen, hence there is one rectangular box for the screen. After that, there is a diamond that branches according to the decision that user made. Nobody says there can only be 2 outcomes. I have done diamonds with 4 or 5 outcomes, and the

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Flowchart: action box or decision box?

You can always try Jesse James Garrett's Visual Vocabulary: http://www.jjg.net/ia/visvocab/. I think that you would use the user decision diamond, but maybe you can find more info/validation here. Good luck! Lis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the

[IxDA Discuss] Flowchart: action box or decision box?

I'm doing an exercise to practice the design of task flow. I have one step which has 5 options in it. And the user is supposed to choose one and move forward. In this case, shall I use the diamond decision box or the rectangular action box to illustrate this step? I googled a little bit. And it see

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Dynamic graphics

Hello Ian, if i have understood your request well, you should have a look at http://www.tableausoftware.com/ It updates automaticaly a set of graph according to data taken from excel, and helps "manipulate the data" They have a 30 days eval version. hope this hel

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Dynamic graphics

You can try "Axure RP", but your best bet is "Adobe Catalyst" for customized interaction from Illustrator or Photoshop files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=44540 _

Re: [IxDA Discuss] How to Get Useful Feedback from Customer Support?

If your company has the capability try and listen in to live customer support calls. You'll not only learn about customer problems, you also see how well your support team is able to assist customers, which is a key part of the overall customer experience. You can also learn about operational issue

[IxDA Discuss] Current Design Topics

I'm preparing my design seminar for the Fall semester, which is a masters-level course. The last time I taught this specific course was 2005. I assigned readings on the following subjects: Design Certification Offshore Outsourcing Design & Business Formal Education vs. Self-taught Design Ethi

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Dynamic graphics

As others have said, it's difficult to make a specific recommendation without more details. That said, X3D may be worth looking at. I'm not very familiar with it, but I did use VRML a bit many years back, which preceded X3D, and I found it useful for some things. Depending on the graphics you are

[IxDA Discuss] [Event] IxDA-Dublin Presents: Arduino + Flash Workshop , Saturday, August 15, 2009

I'm hosting an Arduino and Flash workshop on the 15th. This workshop will act as an introduction to the IxDA Dublin into physical computing and extending the flash platform. More details available at http://arduino.benarent.co.uk/ Workshop Agenda > Introduction to Arduino > Setting up your mach

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Dynamic graphics

Hi Ian, Like Adrian says - slightly hard to give a definitive answer without more information. However, as you are working with vectors have you considered Flash? It can be an incredibly powerful dynamic, data visualisation tool - from simple things such as this tutorial for creating pie charts ht

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Dynamic graphics

There is already a number of graph-apps and APIs out there, you can find some of them here http://delicious.com/suit4/graphs. All of these are meant for web use. If your intention is more something desktop based and you already worked with illustrator, Flash could help to accomplish your task.

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Dynamic graphics

Interesting project - as Adrian said, it would be useful to get more information. One of the easiest ways might be to use Flash - it has a straightforward drawing api, and can read XML files as input. The output could be made interactive very easily. An interesting new option would be to use Java

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Dynamic graphics

Ian - Could you give a specific example? Regards, William > -Original Message- > From: new-boun...@ixda.org [mailto:new-boun...@ixda.org] On Behalf Of > ian Carr > Sent: 11 August 2009 4:44 AM > To: disc...@ixda.org > Subject: [IxDA Discuss] Dynamic graphics > > hi, I am a researcher

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Dynamic graphics

Hi Ian, On 11 Aug 2009, at 04:44, ian Carr wrote: hi, I am a researcher at the London College of Communication working on a information design project. I am have come up with a range of different graphical concepts( designed in adobe illustrator) but I am struggling to make them dynamic, anim

[IxDA Discuss] Dynamic graphics

hi, I am a researcher at the London College of Communication working on a information design project. I am have come up with a range of different graphical concepts( designed in adobe illustrator) but I am struggling to make them dynamic, animated and interactive. What I am looking for is a tool

Re: [IxDA Discuss] How to Get Useful Feedback from Customer Support?

On 10 Aug 2009, at 18:20, Laura Klein wrote: [snip] Regardless of how you do it, getting customer support and UX talking to each other is a great idea! Good luck. [snip] Indeed :-) One thing I would personally recommend - if at all possible - would be to go sit at a customer support desk an

Re: [IxDA Discuss] How to Get Useful Feedback from Customer Support?

Shima - Why not consider doing an affinity diagramming session with customer support and designers? Write all of their feedback on to cards or post-it notes then, in a collaborative session, group all the similar issues together into themes. You can steer the focus so that the themes are problem s

[IxDA Discuss] Reminder: (Mumbai & Pune) UI Design Training Event - Monsoon 2009

Dear friends, For those of you interested in participating in Design Incubator's UXD training events in Mumbai / Pune India, here is a gentle reminder of approaching end dates. The last date to avail 'Early Entry Discounts' is 21st Aug '09. Please find other necessary information below here. Desig

Re: [IxDA Discuss] Consistent Usage of Log In/Log Out versus Login/Logout

I think the best combination is the verb form "Log in / Log out", when applied strictly to a computing paradigm. "Sign in / Sign out" are also correct, but I feel they are more related to radio communications for instance. However this works nicely with social networking websites. I also prefer "