Priorities

On the website for Driver and Vehicle Services in my state...an example of the importance of sticking with the basics.

Apparently, someone thinks social media integration is more important than browser compatibility. Sorry, Mac folks. You can connect with us on Facebook, but you can't renew your tabs online.

Nickelodeon Win

This week, I got a very helpful e-mail from Nickelodeon regarding my child's Neopets account. I could not be more pleased--they address the information they (don't) capture about my child, what to expect, and how to opt out of it. Wouldn't it be great if every policy statement was written so clearly?

Nice, eh?

Coca-Cola Freestyle

So, I used one of these machines at our local Noodles & Co. restaurant. It's super-elegant looking, and clever in its screen interface. But there's a fatal design flaw in the dispenser unit.

http://www.coca-colafreestyle.com/#!/about-the-soda-fountain/

The ice dispenser is behind the beverage dispenser. As you reach back to fill your cup with ice, the last couple of drips from the last beverage dispensed will drip on your sleeve.  Wouldn't that have been uncovered in user testing?

When good templates go bad

Among the problems I had at the Stouffer's/Nestle site, this was one. On submission of a Contact Us form, this was the confirmation screen I got:

So......
1) I already submitted my question....right? Did I? Now I'm not sure.
2) There is no form "to the right" to use.

I suspect they had a design template that changed, and no one checked the content to ensure it matched the template.

Show Me the DATA!!!

Me: "Do we have data about how effective search is for our users?"
Them: "Search is really quite effective! Here's why it works well..."
Me: "Yes, I see that, but do we have data about how effective search is for our users?"
Them: "Well...we would hear about it from our users if it wasn't!"
Me: (Sigh)

Recent Thoughts on Windows 8 (+ Tablet)

I've been using Windows 8 for awhile on two different systems: 1) an old 2005 tablet (stylus-type), and 2) a new Windows Surface tablet. I posted initial thoughts immediately on installing in the 2005 tablet. Here are some observations now that I've used it for awhile, and now that I've experienced Surface:

Dislike

1. I dislike that you have to go to the Desktop to get to certain functions. As a tinkerer, I appreciate being able to do it, but I wish the new interface would expose these functions without resorting to the Desktop app. It's like they ran out of time to make everything work in the new paradigm.
2. I dislike that I have to remember how to access the controls (left-swipe, top-swipe, right-swipe or bottom-swipe). They aren't intuitive human interactions, and there's no visual hint for each function (that I've found, yet.) I'd be very curious to know how this works for folks with dyslexia.
3. I have a personal Skype account that I like to use from work; however, it can only be associated with one Windows Live ID. So I can't sign into Skype using that account when logged into Windows 8 with my corporate login.
4. I dislike that other things are hidden: Search, for example, and viewing tabs in the browser, shouldn't require an action. Right-clicking in the lower-left of the screen gives you a tools menu. This would have taken me forever to find on my own (if ever), but I read about it. And it's GREAT.

Like

1. See "Dislike 1" above. As a geek and a tinkerer, I appreciate being able to access things "behind the scenes", which I've not been able to do on my iPad.
2. Prefer the swipes on the Surface tablet to the interaction afforded by traditional mouse/keyboard inputs. 
3. Surface USB port allows some peripherals. I plugged in a Microsoft Mouse and it worked without installing any drivers. Nice for those of us who don't like to use the touchpad (unless we're on an airplane).
4. I like the magnetic snap of the Surface keyboard. The TV ads show how nice this is, and it is true. Dumb, but cool.
5. I like that it uses cloud login IDs, but I'm still not sure about how to sync things between Windows 8 systems (or if you can).

Love

1. I think the Surface tablet with Windows 8/RT will be a great tool for business. It was really simple to set up with my corporate mail, and I feel it will integrate better with the security models and tools people use for work productivity.
2. It supports multiple user profiles (hear that, Apple?).

Design Critique

I had the pleasure of participating in a design critique panel this week for a class at the University of Minnesota's School of Design. Seven groups of students presented their screen wireframes for a scheduling application for Emergency Medical Technician students.

There was a wide disparity in preparation and design artifacts presented. Some of the student groups had clearly thought through many possibilities, while some seemed to be gaining clarity on the scope of their effort. There were digital prototypes and pencil sketches, with varying degrees of fidelity.

What I learned from them:

• There are some really creative, thoughtful designers coming up in the industry. It was fun to see the different approaches for the same problem.
• Presentation preparation can really make the difference in acceptance of ideas. There were some great ideas that were not presented well, either visually or verbally, and the lack of preparation was a real drawback.
• Some of the groups seemed collaborative, but several seemed to be struggling with consensus within the team about the best design approach. This is a real drawback in presentation, as well.
• While I am a proponent of rough sketches (especially in the Agile world where I work), the people who had high-fidelity wireframes were often easier to understand and follow. It's always a trick to find the right level for the timing of the conversation. It may be that they were farther along in their thought process, as well, and therefore better able to convey the concept.
• If you are designing for a specific platform, you need to understand design conventions of the platform.
• The students were good at defending their choices. It's important to have a reason based on research, even if you change your design later because it doesn't test well.
• A defense based on their own conversations with users would have been more compelling, but no one mentioned what they observed, or knowledge of the data, as being a reason for any design choice. Effective designs aren't based on heuristics alone; you need to understand the domain, users, and usage scenarios as deeply as you can.
• If you don't take notes during a critique, it appears you don't value the input of the critic.
• I would like to do design critique for a living. Wouldn't that be fun?