obso1337.org

If you are interested in learning design theory, I recommend Universal Principles of Design by William Lidwell, Kritina Holden, and Jill Butler (2003, Rockport). This book includes 101 design topics in perception, learning, usability, appeal, and application. Topic discussions include theory from psychology, marketing, computer science, and graphic design.

Not all examples are computer systems; but the theory is explained well which makes it easy to reapply what you learn when designing a user interface design. The book format makes it both easy and interesting to read (one topic per page), is great as a reference guide, and has lots of pretty pictures.

Another recommendation I’ve made is for Designing Interfaces by Jenifer Tidwell (2005, OReilly). Designing Interfaces is focused on detailed examples and specific problems in computer software. Universal Principles of Design covers much more design theory but with examples across domains and media. Both are excellent books for those interested in user interface design and usability.

seele :: Jul.16.2008 :: Design, General :: 4 Comments »

• First off, I need to catch up on my day job work so I can get back to KDE. I don’t know what I was thinking taking 4 weeks vacation this summer. I feel like as soon as I catch up, I’m gone again, only to come back and play catchup again.
• One of my goals for the next week (probably this weekend with the way things are going) is to review all of the KDE User Research Profiles and provide feedback to the projects. Afterwards, it will be back to recruiting!
• I need to begin moving some of the KDE4 HIG content the SoU interns have been writing to techbase. Most of their work has been documenting patterns for common UI elements such as list edits and rich information lists. Additionally, they’ve also been filling in guidelines for lower-level widgets such as radio buttons, or capitalization rules.
• More system setting modules need reviewed for guideline compliance and good UI practices. Most modules have only a few tweaks for HIG compliance because their UIs are good. Unfortunately there are a few modules that need more than just tweaking and will require some major redesign. The other problem is finding a developer to fix them.
• KGrubEditor is looking good and hopefully will be ready for a first release soon.
• There are a few other apps on my list to work on for Ibex, but I don’t think they are ready for review yet.
• KDE 4.1 RC1 is out. I’m not sure how much I’ll be able to review between now and the release, but it’s on my list
• MD Loco usability testing has been postponed because we couldn’t secure a location for the date we were planning for and some other logistics. Hopefully we will be able to reschedule for August.
• Finally, I need to continue working on my presentation about the KDE Usability Project for Akademy. There is also some workshop planning to do as well.

seele :: Jul.16.2008 :: General, KDE/Kubuntu, Usability :: 5 Comments »

Yes! I get a free beer thanks to Kévin. I will be talking about the Past, Present, and Future of the KDE Usability Project at Akademy this year. (This reminds me to ping Ellen about the unfinished workshop proposal..)

seele :: Jun.27.2008 :: General, KDE/Kubuntu, Usability :: No Comments »

A new UK Podcast is out with more interviews from UDS Prague. Alan and Tony talk with me a bit about open source usability and the KDE4 HIG.

seele :: Jun.26.2008 :: Design, General, Open Source :: No Comments »

More examples for why we shouldn´t be looking towards Windows for examples of ¨good usability¨. It seems like on his way out of Microsoft, Bill Gates had a few things to say on Windows usability.

This is a pretty frequent scenario on how usability gets done in a company. Someone high up can´t find something, gets frustrated, and approves a huge pile of usability funding to fix his problem. Several of my recent clients have come to me because of a similar ¨event¨. I can´t really complain since they pay my bills, but it makes me feel good when there are open source projects out there actively trying to improve usability before users complain.

seele :: Jun.25.2008 :: General, Humor, Open Source, Usability :: 14 Comments »