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

http://boxesandarrows.com/

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!)

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

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/

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!

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.

*As I am working on the Tufts Digital Library redesign, keyboard navigation might help a wide range of users access content more efficiently!

This is why your website sucks
By C. Todd Fluhr
http://tinyurl.com/6jxbk9x

Good short definition UCD:
UCD is a design philosophy that emphasizes the needs and wants of your anticipated audience.

Expert Reviews Require Expert Senses
HFI Writer John Sorflaten shows how to structure your expert reviews.
http://www.humanfactors.com/downloads/jun11.asp#research

Structuring Expert Review using the VIMM model:
Visual work – like scanning a web page to find what you wanted
Intellectual work – like figuring out what the navigation options really mean
Memory work – like remembering hidden pull-downs, key codes, and work flow
Motor work – like clicking icons to see if they navigate or clicking to find a window

How to sell your usability services: abandon jargon and embrace the language of our management and customers.

UX architect Misha Vaughan of Oracle USA:
“Don’t over-communicate the UX methodology… Drive the value of UX home for customers; focus on the result that customers’ organizations will gain from the improved usability/user interface. Will staff be more productive? Will they reduce the number of calls to their support desk? Will they reduce the amount of time and money spent training end users?”