http://blog.effectiveui.com/?tag=user-centered-design
Tools for User Research and Client Persuasion
by Leonard Souza, December 12, 2011
keeping track of articles I want to read…
I got to this blog by searching for Journey maps
Thank you to my colleague Thom Cox, at Tisch Library for this great resource:
Thanks to HFI for another interesting newsletter:
Designing Naturally With Gestalt in Mind
http://www.humanfactors.com/downloads/sep11.asp#research1
Principles of “gestalt” as applied to layout:
1. Law of Focal Point (Visual attributes that control focus)
2. Law of Similarity
3. Law of Proximity
4. Law of Common Region (Law of “Pragnantz (‘Good Form’)”)
5. Law of Connectedness (“Law of Unity/Harmony”)
6. Law of Balance/Symmetry
7. Law of Continuation
8. Law of Closure
9. Law of Figure-Ground
10. Law of Isomorphic Correspondence
11. Law of Simplicity
View the newsletter for definitions and design examples. (Although, I don’t agree with their design examples and analysis… They seem to me to be forcing a square into a circle to demonstrate these laws. The bottom navigation tools lack coherent grouping, and mixes type with graphics in a way that actually increases cognitive load. That was my unsolicited opinion!)
Jeff Patton (*take workshop with him)
His website: Agile Product Design
http://www.agileproductdesign.com/
Don’t miss the “Writings” Section. The “IEEE Software Magazine’s User Centric Column” is great reference material.
recommended by Jeremy Kriegel
during his UPA workshop: Successful Agie/UX – A Framenwork
http://www.goodusability.co.uk/2009/05/faq-usability/
Thank you David Hamill, for shedding light on “FAQs”.
“Do you even need them?
All too often FAQs are used as an attempt to patch up flaws in bad content. [...] Your FAQs should support the site content, not repeat it. If your FAQ page is answering questions that the rest of the website should answer, then you have a problem with your site content.
and avoid saying “FAQ”!
More on FAQs:
http://www.alistapart.com/articles/infrequently-asked-questions-of-faqs/
From Bagcheck: Design Solutions for New Log In Problems
http://bagcheck.com/blog/02-design-solutions-for-new-log-in-problems
I love these types of articles, walking through the thought process of iterative design. Here’s another instance of the troublesome login screen!
Why WSJ Mobile App Gets ** Customer Reviews
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/mobile-startup-screen.html
We (designers) often take for granted the sign in screen. Here’s another post on login confusion.
