Weekly Inspiration Grab Bag

Tron gone crazy. Photoshop with no limit. Organized crap. Goosebumps.

It's Alright to Dream Sometimes

Can't believe I've slept on this hit for so long. Nas and Kanye rock it with an illustrious beat that'll run shivers down your spine.

A Faceted Extension in London

Ugh. Filthy. Filthily godly, that is. I suggest taking a few seconds to examine this incredible piece of architecture excellence. From the cleverly implemented skylight to the concrete patio details, not one aspect is overlooked. Love!

Panasonic GF-1 vs Voigtlander SWH

I guess you can consider this a part 2 of my apparent Voigtlander obsession. Glass drool.

Once Upon a Time

Great design isn't just about making something pretty (though it does help). Great design is telling a good story. A story that people can relate to. And more often than not, the more timeless, well-articulated, and engaging that story, the better the overall experience.

My approach:

1) Define the problem space. John Dewey always said, "A well-defined problem is half solved." Once the problem is defined, research should be conducted - ranging from interviews, surveys, focus groups, ethnography, artifact analysis, or alternative methods. Scenarios and personas are developed based on the new found knowledge from the user research. Immersing yourself in the needs of the user is the only way to truly understanding the goal.

2) Design with inspiration, creativity and passion. My design process tends to start with a sketch or a photography. Something I've become inspired by. Something different. Once I become inspired by an idea, I'll take it to the whiteboard - concepting and ideating until the there's literally not a single spot left to write. Only then, does low-fidelity prototyping come into play.

3) Test in situ, or in the situation of where the product will be used. I always tell the user, "We're not testing you, we're testing the design." Listening to the user is just as important as collecting legitimate data by ensuring their subjective desires, expectations, and reactions are genuine. From these observations, one can gain insights to the flaws and great aspects of any design.

4) Iterate once, twice, or even a hundred times. An iterative cycle in the design process allows for constant critique of the design based on user-testing, collaborative evaluations, and market feedback. Expand and contract; there's always room for improvement and refinement.

5) Deliver the product. No product life cycle is forever. Nor is there such thing as "the" perfect design. However, there is "a" perfect design; one that answers the problem at hand and deliver an experience that is engaging, memorable, and ultimately fulfilling.

Influencers

Woot! Staple Design. Honeyee. Bill Cunningham. I love the art of the hype.

Gots To Get That Chedda'

Here are a few mockups and wireframes I've been working on over at Sproutbox for those who are interested. Above, we have what's currently on CheddarGetter as their landing page. It's... a bit long. And ugh, simply lots of fail.

I decided we needed to hit the drawing board once again if we were to get anyone to actually use the service (it's not a bad service and the prices are great... they just have a shitty landing page).

I started by redoing the menu bars up top, combining categorizations based on common usage, and shifted everything up with less irrelevant copy and more meaningful content for the customer. Then, followed by a lightbox sign-up and video showcasing the actual product interface.

Then came the high fidelity version. Using CheddarGetter's branding as a basis of my design, I played off the idea that simple is better, getting people to the places we want them to go (sign up and video), while establishing trust by moving the quotes from the original "About Me" section over so it is visible before the page break when viewing on small browsers.

I also made sure the video and sign up window was extra solid and cleaned up (compared to the old CAPTCHA that just hurt my head looking at it), but also allowed users to go back easily to learn more about the product at any time.

Overall, the experience is cleaned up, broken up into more logical sections, and will be tested later next week to see if users prefer this version more than the other. Seeing as the other one was nearly impossible to read for me personally, I'm sure the new version will be a hit!

Godly Workstation

I seriously would kill for this kind of setup. Controlled clutter. Amps. Even the cardboard box.

Comfort Spaces

The art of designing comfortable spaces. Probably one of my favorite topics to talk about.

Reassured

Sometimes, you just need a reminder. For me, it's having the confidence to say that the mountain of loans I've taken out will eventually be obliterated by my sheer willpower.

Press Play

Careful. It's hot.

Sex Beet – Dirty Boots (Sonic Youth cover) (MP3)

Not So Much the Pink

But the medium is the message. Well actually... the message is the message. And I love blogging. So there.

Room Divider by 16th Workshop

I have a secret lust for shelving units. It's like owning a piece of miniature architecture in a way. Then again, $6900 is a bit out of range for me as of the moment. Oh well.

Duba-B8 Molo Chair

3 years in the making you say? Those boys at Duba-B8 ain't playing around. Built from ABS plastic and available in black, white, lemon, oyster and violet, the chair is for the modern enthusiast that's down with the industrial times.

New (Moo) Business Minicards

The way I see it, everything should be collectible art in one way or another. My business cards are obviously no exception! Arrrrr!

Black Swan Review

How can I put this? I've never actually paid to see a ballerina performance before, let alone a movie about one, but if it's anything like the beautiful and nightmarish masterpiece that is Black Swan, I am all in. Like the careful cinematographer that Aronofsky is, every scene is poised with visuals that is so well crafted that you can't help to but get sucked in, subconsciously identifying where good and evil are represented, with an uncanny sense of momentum that never lets up even until the very end. Movies are great, but only when they tell stories with respect to running time. Black Swan does this in unfathomable eloquence, while showcasing how artistic devotion can consume you - which may be a not-so-good thing, depending on the side of the coin you get. 9.3/10.

Dropquest 2011 Step 8 & 10 Solutions

Just in case you're always dying to get more Dropbox space, here's the solutions for Steps 8 (via a video tutorial here) and 10 on Dropbox's Dropquest Adventure that'll get you 1GB of free space for life! I've kind of already maxed out my account, but if you wanna join and get 250MB free Dropbox space, just sign up through me!

And This is Why I Hate You, Microsoft

First, Comic Sans. Now this. I'm this close to banishing Microsoft products from my every day language.

The Purpose of Digital Media Invigoration

To provide a new re-mediated medium for expression. To not draw attention to itself. To allow intuitive interactions with intangible media. To add value to the home. To simplify music by getting rid of static folders altogether.

True Grit Review

Two sentence review: It's badass. Go see it. 8.9/10.

Looks Like Halsey

 

This abstract little short film is just what I needed to get me excited for Thursday. Because Thursday's in college are suppose to be the best.

Daily Inspiration: Retro

I loves me some delicious retro-fication.

Shot of the Day: Jamie

This is what happens when you spend an entire day photographing with me. More to come, I promise.

Oh Hai, It's Bessa

Just to tantalize you for a bit. I feel that is necessary business when you're talkin' lenses with me. Bessa-R3M + Lens VoigtLander 50mm F1.1. Yes, that's a $1000 lens you're looking at there, folks.

The Rugged Winter Hipster Guide

Winter's just starting in some parts of the U.S., but that doesn't mean you need copious amounts of snow in order to immerse yourself in some sweet hipster fashion. Popular items this snow season are chambray ties, tweed coats, Indian-inspired scarves, and leather wing tips. 

XKCD: Audiophiles

Milk almost squirted out of my nose when he started referring to those bloody FLV YouTube rips. Hilarious, this generation of super-geeks.

The Oscar-Niemeyer Residence

Good god, drool. This unbelievable space has a little bit of everything I want in a fun home. Tall ceilings. Modern open floorplan. Colorful pop art. A fanciful love of the music collection. Surprise elements galore.