This month, everyone’s favorite name in color introduced a brand new system… or as Pantone describes it, “A new vision of color.” That sounds like hyped-up marketing speak, but given a little time, it might just be a realistic assessment. The system is called Goe, and has the ambitious job of replacing (or enhancing) the decades-old PMS spot color...
Missed the first part, click here Key Question 2: Are the Controls Intuitive? No matter how great a new functionality is, if the user can not figure out how to use it (or that it exists), the value is obviously diminished. Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic have done a nice job utilizing AJAX to improve the interaction between...
In 2006, 450 Radio Shack employees opened their email one day and found a message that stated: “The workforce reduction notification is currently in progress. Unfortunately your position is one that has been eliminated.” Looking at this ill-advised approach from the outside, it’s easy to see that email was a poor communication method for the circumstances. From within our...
Designers and developers are often too easily ensnared by the hype of new technology — in today’s case, AJAX, etc. — and often ignore standard usability practices to be the first on the block with the latest and greatest. Remember splash pages with flash intros? How about cheesy animated gifs? Marquee tags? Of course you do. Yet you would...
This article from Computer Arts (UK) explores the challenge of staying fresh and original while still employing the tools of visual shorthand in communicating concepts. I’m reminded of a quote from Pablo Picasso: “Good artists copy. Great artists steal.” Hey, that’s what all those award books are really for, right? But I’m also reminded of a good technique for...
Many designers believe that marketing the widest range of services to the largest possible group is the path to success. You’d rather be a generalist because you think you’ll get more business. And on one level it makes sense: the more opportunities you have to make a sale, the more sales you are likely to make. But in reality...
Several years ago, we hired a pet-sitting company to give our dogs a walk on occasional days when our work schedules meant too long a stretch for canine comfort. At first, things seemed to go well enough. But after a few weeks, the company failed to show up on several agreed-upon days and our poor dogs bore the brunt...
404 Not Found! 403 Forbidden! What better way to send your site visitors away then with an ugly error message? A user who encounters an error message on your site may have the good sense to head back to your home page, or, more likely, will turn tail and find some other site. But with some clever crafting of...
You asked your legal, copyright and trademark questions, and Jean has answered! All questions are taken from comments posted on the original ‘Ask Jean’ post. We invite you to ask more questions. Dear Jean, This is regarding architect’s sketched design solutions that are produced after a request from a client, but without prior fee or professional appointment agreement. How...
Imagine that it’s a Saturday night and you’re headed to the movies with friends. There’s a new blockbuster movie and people whose taste you trust have told you it’s a must-see. Picture yourself buying your ticket and joking around with friends while standing in the concession line. Imagine the taste of the popcorn as you share a bucket with...
