Design Fed

Gamification

2011-05-16T03:14:00.001-07:00

The Gamified World

2011-05-16T03:05:00.000-07:00

Stargate iPhone 3G wallpaper

2010-10-18T15:38:00.000-07:00

Monkey iPhone 3 Wallpaper

2010-10-16T16:42:00.000-07:00

For all the Monkey fans out there (also known as Monkey Magic) the classic cult TV show. This one is dedicated to Masako Natsume (Tripitaka).

How to make a custom, unique iPad case

2010-09-07T15:17:00.000-07:00

If you don't want a boring, mass produced, over priced iPad case - why not make your own! If you have the equipment - a sewing machine, thread, cardboard, and some material, you (or a friend) can make a beautiful, custom, unique (one of a kind) iPad cover.

Check out this camo iPad case made from an old hoodie top and old t-shirt. It's awesome!
This was the first iPad case made by the beautiful Anne :)

See the full photo set on Flickr...

The Future is NUI (natural user interface)

2010-06-18T02:52:00.000-07:00

We are now entering the third stage of Human / Computer interaction. This is called NUI (natural user interface). The first two stages were CLI (command line interface) and GUI (graphical user interface).

Within the next few years, everything will go towards NUI (this is already happening, see iPhone, iPad, Microsoft Surface etc). Most of our computer interaction will be touchscreen and voice control. Of course keyboards, mice etc will still exist, but they will not be the dominant way of interacting with your device (computer, tablet, smart phone, tv, or whatever).

There are videos all over the web, and statistics everywhere already proving this. Just take a look at the "vision" projections from any computer, software or device manufacturer and you will see that this is not an option, it is happening.

Some examples...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoyfTciK4jg&playnext_from=TL&videos=kmqyijM6tVU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX-gTobCJHs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvtxupQmRSA&feature=PlayList&p=DC88D59DC711D462&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFQWc79TYcU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQ78ySv1WpU&playnext_from=TL&videos=KzhnLs9PFQg

http://www.vimeo.com/1347289

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7508842.stm

http://dev.chromium.org/chromium-os/user-experience/form-factors/tablet

http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-20000034-264.html?tag=nl.e415

http://www.istartedsomething.com/20090228/microsoft-office-labs-vision-2019-video/

http://ax.itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/steve-jobs-bill-gates-at-d5/id256972720

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sTgLYH8qWs&feature=player_embedded

http://www.flypmedia.com/issues/20/#8/2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6YTQJVzwlI&feature=digest

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KRQm8o7fe8&feature=related

http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/08/sony-vaio-j-joins-the-touchscreen-all-in-one-ranks/

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/33642/MSI-unveils-tablet-PC

http://www.islate.org/index.php/2010/06/02/asus-eee-pad-ep101tc-ep121-e-reader-tablets/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/7801657/Samsung-announces-Galaxy-Tab-tablet-computer.html

http://www.techtree.com/India/News/Computex_2010_LG_shows_off_UX10_Tablet/551-111554-893.html

Spam!

2010-03-16T13:48:00.001-07:00

Is TV an evil, brain wasting, time vortex? Yes.

2010-03-13T09:03:00.000-08:00

Why do we pay for TV channels that spew forth thousands of ads a day and turn our brains into mush? For each one hour show we watch, at least 30 minutes of that is advertizing time. This would never be acceptable on a website, the site would not get any repeat users. So why are we paying to watch so many repeated ads, and not even targeted ads! just general dumb ads for products that we have no interest in.

TV as we know it, is coming to an end. Many people (including myself) are, or have already switched to watching video online. No ads, and its free (we have no option to pay yet in Ireland - as iTunes TV, Hulu, Netflix etc don't work here).

Now for those of you who may be saying "ah but you can't really watch tv on a computer screen", well you don't have to. Just buy a small computer like the mac mini, or dell inspiron zino, or hook your laptop up to your tv using a hdmi cable or similar. Then go to sites like TV3, RTE Player, 4OD, TVshack, and of course theres always Google Video Search, YouTube and Vimeo, and there are more options are becoming available every month, like Google TV.

And for those who see little or no value in tv shows, there is a wealth of educational video available online at Vimeo, Google Video Search, and iTune U (University).

So, would you rather spend hours a day paying to watch repeating brain damaging ads? or learning something new for free?

Continuing on the Star Trek theme :)

2010-03-12T06:52:00.001-08:00

Star Trek LCARS iPhone wallpaper

2010-03-10T14:42:00.000-08:00

Try these. When you set one of these as your iPhone wallpaper, you will see the reason for the colored borders on the top and bottom :)

For more LCARS info try here: http://lcarscom.net/

This is Soooo funny (because it can be true at times)...

2010-01-09T05:31:00.000-08:00

Web Designers know what this is like...

Secrets of Simplicity: rules for being simple and usable (Giles Colborne)

2009-09-10T03:52:00.001-07:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Secrets of Simplicity: rules for being simple and usable (Giles Colborne)

View more documents from cxpartners.

Why is Apple gear more expensive in Ireland

2009-06-25T09:31:00.000-07:00

If you compare prices on the Apple US and Apple Ireland sites, you will see examples like a MacBook Pro $1499 US / €1449 Euros.

Or the new iPhone 3G S - $299 US - €299 Euros.

What's wrong with this picture!
If you do a currency conversion its more like $1,499 US = €1,076 Euros, and $299 US = €215 Euros.

Why is it more expensive in Ireland?
It can't be the stores adding profit, because you can buy directly online. And it can't be the cost of importing Macs into Ireland - as the hardware is MADE HERE (in Cork). Or was (I just found this). And if it WAS expense from importing, why is it cheaper in the UK? (£1,149.00 GBP = €1,347.83 EUR) The UK's even further than Ireland from the US.

So what is it? Who gets the extra profit?

So you have a hi-spec PC, graphics card, monitor, mouse etc. But theres still something "not quite right"...

2009-06-24T09:57:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd share my experiences with tweaking "hardware" to improve gaming.

So about a year ago I bought/built a high spec PC for gaming - if it can handle the latest FPS games, it can handle anything else (like heavy Adobe software).
The usual - 4gb ram, dual HD (one for OS, one for everything else), high end graphics card, a good 23" Dell monitor, a good mouse (I like Logitech G5, feels good, has counter balance weights etc: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/mice/devices/359&cl=gb,en)
but after all of that, here are the simple things I ended up changing that seemed to make a real difference...

1. I switched to a regular, normal, cheap, white keyboard!
Before I had a very expensive, thin, backlit (blue light) keyboard, and it was cr@p for gaming (or anything else). It reminded me of a laptop keyboard. Sure you can type on it, but try using WASD to control your character during an intense fight and forget it. You loose. Also, what they failed to mention on the pack, was that "backlit with blue lights" actually meant, the spaces in between the keys light up! NOT the actual letter and numbers on the keys!!! - like thats helpful, when I'm playing in the dark with a black keyboard - I want to see the spaces in between the keys!! - yea right!.
The regular (12 euro) white keyboard with big buttons works just great! I can see the keys as they are sufficiently illuminated by the light from the screen (white keys). I can feel the keys - no need to even look for WASD, and its obvious where the numbers are, as the keys are not all placed right on top of each other to save space. I recommend a regular, cheap, white keyboard for gaming.

2. I bought a "Steel Series" mouse mat! (http://www.steelseries.co.uk/proddata.php?partno=E3152&desc1=SteelSeries%204D)
I never thought a mouse mat would make any real difference. I knew that mouse mats with pictures were a no-go, as the pointer jumps around due to the laser mouse thinking the colors in the picture are different height surfaces.
But I used to use just plain (one color) foam/cloth mouse mats. When I switched to this new "plastic" black one, it really made the mouse seem much better, more accurate and sensitive. I'm peeved I didn't switch years ago. A good mouse, combined with a "proper" mat, plus the right mouse acceleration = much improvement in quality. So these hard, plastic mats may be twice the price (approx 30 euros) of a normal foam mat, but they are WELL worth it.

BTW, I got the Dell monitor approx half price from iBood.ie

Important links for designers, sales and anyone interested in what’s going on in the world of design!

2009-06-22T10:16:00.000-07:00

Everyone in business should read/listen to this book (I prefer the Audio book from iTunes):
http://www.amazon.com/What-Would-Google-Jeff-Jarvis/dp/0061709719

In defense of eye candy (about UI/UX design):
http://www.alistapart.com/articles/indefenseofeyecandy/

UX design:
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/06/15/40-helpful-resources-on-user-interface-design-patterns/

GUI Mags (good for UI/UX designers and testers):
http://guimags.com/index.php?p=products_guimags_corporate&nav=nav_guimags

Interesting Graph (about the biggest bankruptcies in history):
http://awesome.goodmagazine.com/transparency/web/0906/trans0609largestbankruptcies.html

More “Transparency” infographics:
http://www.good.is/sections/department/department.php?tname=transparency

New Toyota Prius (nice flash site):
http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/minisite/newprius/

Guess the logos (makes you think how much you recognize brands and logos):
http://www.graphicdesignblog.org/

Just interesting design stuff here:
http://www.notcot.org/

And more good design links here:
http://dzineblog.com/
http://creattica.com/
http://psd.tutsplus.com/
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/

Some good Design related links

2009-04-21T02:22:00.000-07:00

DESIGN:

50 Free lessons in Graphic Design Theory:
http://psd.tutsplus.com/articles/web/50-totally-free-lessons-in-graphic-design-theory/

Something for Designers - Adobe Edge Newsletter:
http://www.adobe.com/newsletters/edge/april2009/index.html

Apple Style:
http://psd.tutsplus.com/articles/web/40-apple-themed-photoshop-tutorials/

NAVIGATION:

Tabs based navigation:
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/04/06/showcase-of-well-designed-tabbed-navigation/

Menus navigation:
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/03/24/designing-drop-down-menus-examples-and-best-practices/

Navigation trends examples:
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/02/26/navigation-menus-trends-and-examples/

More Navigation examples:
http://patterntap.com/tap/collection/navigation

More different styles of navigation design:
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/02/04/50-beautiful-and-user-friendly-navigation-menus/

For those interested in Photography, here are some good links. Enjoy :)

2009-04-20T03:13:00.000-07:00

40 Amazing Online Photography Magazines
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/04/17/40-amazing-online-photography-magazines/

50 Great Photographers You Should Know (with portfolios)
http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/50-great-photographers-you-should-know/

Cooliris: Plugin that transforms your browser into a lightning fast, cinematic way to enjoy photos and videos from the Web or your desktop.
http://www.cooliris.com/

Dreams of Flying. Interesting viewpoints.
http://www.janvonholleben.com/

DP(digital photography) Challenge. New "challenges" every month. Enter your photos to win respect.
http://www.dpchallenge.com/

Camera reviews, ratings, demos, examples. Compare model features etc. Review before you buy.
http://www.dpreview.com/

Probably the cheapest place to buy equipment.
http://www.pixmania.com/

This is awesome!

2009-03-14T01:12:00.000-07:00

Benjamin Zander spoke at Lotusphere 2009

2009-02-07T08:33:00.001-08:00

I recently had the unexpected pleasure of hearing Benjamin Zander (world famous orchestra conductor and motivational speaker) talk at the closing session of IBM's Lotusphere 2009. This was an amazing speech and very inspirational.

For anyone who was there, you will understand this image...

I can't wait for the audio version of his book to appear on iTunes.

More about Benjamin and his book "the art of possibility" here:
http://www.benjaminzander.com

Future of Web Apps Event - Dublin, March 6, 2009

2008-11-18T14:38:00.000-08:00

Ubiquity

2008-08-31T04:36:00.000-07:00

Mozilla Labs Ubiquity plugin for Firefox. This is well worth a try:
View demo video and download it here:
http://labs.mozilla.com/2008/08/introducing-ubiquity/

Meetings!

2008-08-07T14:27:00.001-07:00

Designers: Take the survey!

2008-08-05T03:57:00.000-07:00

Aer Lingus Flying Saucers - Irish UFOs (or IFOs)

2008-07-26T12:10:00.000-07:00

Here you can see some photos taken over the last 8 months of the Aer Lingus "Aine - passenger disk" prototype, intended to replace the ageing cylinder winged aeroplanes in use today, designed over 30 years ago. "This will be the next form of air travel, clean, green and very fast" said an Aer Lingus spokes person recently.

The craft (when fully complete and in production) will carry up to 180 passengers, crew and luggage, at over 5 times the speed of a current jet. It uses no moving parts or fossil fuels, making it the cleanest and safest aircraft ever flown by a commercial airline. Each one costs an estimated 6 billion euros to produce, so the initial cost for passengers will be expensive compared to regular flights, but with the ability to reach New York in 1 hour, along with the ultra modern and spacious design of the interior, feeling more like a modern cruise ship than an aircraft, as well as using all of the latest, lightest and strongest eco friendly materials, we think that discerning customers will definitely rather pay the extra cost to fly this way. The cost will reduce over time as more craft are introduced to the line. Each disk craft is expected to pay for itself within the first 5 years of use.

Because of the nature of the technology used and fact that it is basically powered by electricity, the craft has a "very" low fuel/maintenance bill. This new type of air travel will also eliminate the need for runways (as the craft can stop in mid air and land vertically) and will eventually lead to a total redesign of airports, and greatly improve the travel industry within the next 10-20 years.

This type of technology is not new. Humans have been aware of the theoretical possibility of this type of propulsion for many years. But now is the right time, when there is enough concern about pollution, dwindling fossil fuel reserves and a high demand for greater speeds. That, combined with modern light weight - ultra strong materials, global positioning navigation and advancing computer processing speeds, makes this the perfect time to undertake these initiatives. It's the next step in human flight evolution.

The disk hovers and propels itself using electrodes that cover its surface to ionize the surrounding air into plasma. Air, which has an equal number of positive and negative charges becomes plasma when energy (such as electricity) causes the air's atoms to lose their negatively charged electrons, creating atoms with a positive charge, or positive ions, surrounded by the newly detached electrons. Using the onboard source of energy (batteries, solar energy and ultracapacitors) the electrodes send an electrical current into the plasma, causing the plasma to push against the neutral (noncharged) air surrounding the craft, generating the force for liftoff and movement in different directions (depending on where on the craft's surface electrical current is directed).

The design of the craft became an "obvious" evolution (said Irish Designer Karl Thompson). If you compile the requirements and understand the technology and materials to be used, there isn't much choice for what it will look like in the end. Its basically a large round wing, aerodynamic outside and spacious inside. When asked; was it influenced by "50's B movie flying saucers" he commented, "of course, almost all of the technology in use today existed first only in sci-fi, it's inescapable".

It is not known exactly when the first commercial flights will take place, but it is expected to happen within the next few years.

Inner and Outer space x10

2008-07-12T03:53:00.000-07:00

Web Forms research and suggestions

2008-07-11T03:24:00.000-07:00

Here are some nice examples of web forms, and the research findings and suggestions of how to improve web forms for better usability.

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/07/04/web-form-design-patterns-sign-up-forms/

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/07/08/web-form-design-patterns-sign-up-forms-part-2/

Man made UFOs!

2008-07-08T14:57:00.000-07:00

Interesting article, even if there are still some questions.
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=worlds-first-flying-saucer&sc=WR_20080708

Lightning Storm Engulfs Erupting Volcano

2008-06-22T02:50:00.000-07:00

See the full story here...

Angelina Jolie Pitt

2008-06-21T15:43:00.000-07:00

New art by KTdesigner.

The BMW GINA

2008-06-12T03:22:00.000-07:00

OMG. This is a vision of the future. The design is amazing, the innovation fantastic.

http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/06/bmw-builds-a-ca.html

Get the next FireFox

2008-06-10T11:58:00.000-07:00

Patterns and UX

2008-05-22T03:55:00.000-07:00

http://groups.ischool.berkeley.edu/ui_designpatterns/webpatterns2/webpatterns/home.php

http://www.welie.com/patterns/

http://niceone.org/infodesign/

http://www.inspireux.com/

Sad but true

2008-05-20T07:50:00.000-07:00

NY Time Technology Articles

2008-04-25T03:35:00.000-07:00

There is some excellent information and reading here:
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/technology/index.html
Always makes for interesting reading :)

Logos updated to be "Web 2.0"

2008-04-16T06:46:00.000-07:00

Some funny stuff here. Some good one too.
http://flickr.com/photos/gtmcknight/198311028/

Photoshop Disasters

2008-04-09T04:10:00.000-07:00

Some funny stuff here.
http://photoshopdisasters.blogspot.com/

Flying Penguins

2008-04-02T06:44:00.000-07:00

Funny: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/page/item/epeng001.shtml

Shift happens

2008-03-23T15:22:00.000-07:00

SHIFT HAPPENS
Regardless of how insignificant you think this information is, this must have taken quite a while to compile. Nice work. It was very interesting to me, and I agree totally. Technology is evolving much faster than human evolution. I read this whilst waiting on something to load, from one of the 3 jobs I’m working on, all at once (at night on a long weekend) whilst listening to PodCasts about technology. This never would have happened even 5 years ago. There must be segregation happening (not just between rich and poor) between technofiles and technophobes (or the humans who can’t afford recent tech’quip). Are the people who “live” in technology carving a new branch/path?

Consider mobile phones (G3, 3mp cameras etc.), TVs (LCD, OLED, hi-def etc.), games consoles (multi thread cell processors), exponential computer power/speed growth rate etc. Everything that’s common place now, did not exist 5 years ago. Human comprehension does not move as fast. So if you are young and growing up with these technologies it’s great, no problems, but when you eventually have to work (prob 2 jobs), and work like a technofreak cyborg, for crap wages because all of the jobs have gone to previously “third world” countries. WTF are you going to do then? Become a farmer again?, with no knowledge of nature/land, how to “make“ food (that doesn't have a "Mc" stuck in front of it). A transition is happening, and faster than you may think.

The next 3 gen is FUBAR (oh look I have devolved into technobable).

Thats my rant’n’rave over. Yay, I feel better : )
Oh BTW, I love this technoshift. Cyber me up baby.

PicLense

2008-03-21T10:37:00.000-07:00

Pretty cool browser add on.
http://www.piclens.com

Where I've been

2008-03-07T04:12:00.001-08:00

Banff, Alberta, Canada

Dublin, Ireland

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Long Beach, CA, USA

Beverly Hills, CA, USA

San Francisco, CA, USA

Santa Barbara, CA, USA

Santa Monica, CA, USA

New York City, NY, USA

Las Vegas, NV, USA

Create your own travel map or travel blog

Visit TripAdvisor.com

Twine

2008-03-05T07:37:00.000-08:00

This looks great. http://www.podtech.net/scobleshow/technology/1712/editors-choice-of-twine-the-semantic-web-tool

Coolness!

2008-02-28T09:00:00.000-08:00

A list of links to things that are just cool...

http://www.stanislavkatz.com/
http://europe.nokia.com/A4487136

Want to see possibly the most HIDEOUS website on the net?

2008-02-27T11:20:00.000-08:00

http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/

Top 10 mistakes in designing web apps

2008-02-27T08:11:00.000-08:00

Good list: http://www.guuui.com/posting.php?id=2098

With a much more detailed explanation here: http://www.useit.com/alertbox/application-mistakes.html

Free Broadband from Google

2008-02-27T06:13:00.000-08:00

http://www.google.com/tisp/index.html

Also, how to get better search rankings...
http://www.google.com/technology/pigeonrank.html

Some nice design sites

2008-02-26T15:24:00.001-08:00

You can find some nicely designed sites here:
http://cssremix.com/

1gb, 20 years

2008-02-21T08:37:00.000-08:00

How technology has changed. See what 1gb looked like 20 years ago...
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/changing-times/this-is-what-1gb-of-storage-looks-like-now-and-20-years-ago-302856.php

Adobe's going all social

2008-02-06T05:55:00.001-08:00

Adobe is releasing a desktop based, widget using, file sharing app (using Air) for photos videos etc.

Its called Fabrik.
http://labs.adobe.com/showcase/air/fabrik.html

Are you curious?

2008-02-05T05:05:00.000-08:00

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid980097284/bctid1385253108

Tech Videos from CES 2008

2008-02-01T02:13:00.000-08:00

Some cool stuff here, including a 150" tv!!! Alienware curved 42" monitor display,
R2D2 projector robot, Hitachi StarBoard (similar to the MS Surface)
http://features.cnet.co.uk/specials/ces/0,149102828,49294786,00.htm

Microsoft announces a 79% profit, but everyone hates them?

2008-01-25T04:17:00.000-08:00

Microsoft announces a 79% profit:
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/01/24/microsoft_sales_up_30_profits_up_79.html

Yet, yesterday I read that Microsoft comes dead last in a consumer confidence survey (although its a 2006 article):
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060330-6491.html

So how can a company and its products (like nasty Vista) be unloved by most and yet sell more than most?

Personally, I don't love or hate Microsoft. I bought an Xbox360 because it was much cheaper than the "mega over-priced" Sony PlayStation 3.
But I think there is a slightly better selection of games on the PS3 (though some games are available on both platforms).
Halo is "HIGHLY overrated". Vista is a slow HOG (XP is proven to be faster), and in general Microsofts User Interfaces leave a lot to be desired (nice shiny graphics but a case of "find the hidden features").

But until Linux is easier to install/setup, and Apple is cheaper and more compatible with more software (and games), MS will have the majority of users.
http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=199201179&pgno=8&queryText=

I know Google is supposed to be bringing out this magical open source (free) OS, but I'll believe it when I see it, working.
I remember years ago seeing a demo of a flash based OS (created by Macromedia, now owned by Adobe) which looked cool, but never seen the light of day (was not released).

Logo Design Trends

2008-01-22T08:58:00.000-08:00

Very interesting article about logo design trends.
http://www.logolounge.com/articles/default.asp?ArticleID=540

Annual Cross Ireland Run

2008-01-21T07:37:00.000-08:00

Over 600 motorbikes crossing from Dublin to Galway and back, what more could you want?
http://www.annualacrossireland.com

Tech TV

2008-01-16T14:02:00.001-08:00

http://www.cnettv.com

OMG, I want this monitor

2008-01-16T13:46:00.001-08:00

http://www.cnettv.com/9742-1_53-31908.html?tag=nl.e415

If you are into motorbikes...

2008-01-16T13:37:00.000-08:00

Check this out.
Warning, it will make you want to get a bike and go on a world tour.
http://www.advrider.com/

Interesting Site

2008-01-16T13:33:00.000-08:00

Epic-Fu

Interesting stuff. Good ideas, links, info, music etc.
I like's it.

http://epicfu.com/

Nikon D300 camera of the year 2007

2007-12-17T06:51:00.000-08:00

The Nikon D300 won camera of the year 2007.

Watch the video review here:
http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/4925/camera-of-the-year-video.html

Photoshop gets rebranding

2007-11-20T03:43:00.000-08:00

http://www.adobe.com/uk/products/photoshop/family/

Photographs

2007-11-18T03:20:00.000-08:00

Some amazing photographs from Terje Sorgjerd:
http://terje.sorgjerd.no

Interesting way of doing a presentation (with a DJ)

2007-10-09T02:37:00.000-07:00

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2007/09/watch-chase-jarvis-entire-nyc.html

Ogilvy, IBM ads

2007-10-08T03:18:00.000-07:00

Some of the best in design and advertising work...
http://www.ogilvy.com/portfolio/portfolio.php

Cool, I want one...

2007-10-05T08:20:00.001-07:00

http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/mp3/8c43/

Bloomberg Terminals & UI makeover

2007-10-02T03:05:00.001-07:00

See how three different design companies gave Bloombergs Terminals & User Interface a makeover.

http://www.portfolio.com/interactive-features/2007/06/terminals

The Power of Design

2007-10-02T02:59:00.000-07:00

Article published in Business Week about IDEO, a design company improving things through design.

http://www.businessweek.com/pdf/240512BWePrint2.pdf

Fight for Kisses

2007-09-29T09:27:00.001-07:00

Very funny...
http://www.ffk-wilkinson.com/

Adobe Video Training

2007-09-24T09:15:00.000-07:00

Well worth a look. Amazing what you can do in Photoshop CS3 now... 3D, video etc.
Note: only works in IE browsers.

Adobe video training

Helvetica

2007-09-21T07:31:00.001-07:00

Helvetica. The Movie.

Genius

2007-09-21T03:27:00.001-07:00

http://youtube.com/watch?v=FMqftVhOuTw&mode=related&search=

No Plan, No Model, No Problem!

2007-08-11T10:24:00.000-07:00

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5474208006169446665&hl=en

OMG! I actually remember this UI

2007-08-11T10:18:00.000-07:00

It seems sad now that people were getting so excited about a computer that was able to "do text", but back then, this was the sh*t.

Funny

2007-07-27T11:08:00.000-07:00

Software Designers Use

2007-06-28T04:01:00.000-07:00

Adobe Creative Suite
Adobe Fonts
Font Lister
For Video Presentations
3D in Flash

Training / Learning
http://www.adobe.com/resources/elearning/
http://www.cbtnuggets.com/

Events
http://adobemax2007.com/

iPhone features

2007-06-22T03:22:00.000-07:00

The much anticipated iPhone. I want one, but there is no network operator in Ireland going to sell it (as of yet). Whichever operator actually sees some sense and does decide to carry it will instantly attract many new customers. I for one will switch networks immediately.

iPhone Features (funny)

Near Future Computer Interfacing

2007-06-21T06:52:00.000-07:00

In the near future this kind of technology will be the dominant way of using your computer, replacing the keyboard and mouse.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7eGypGOlOc&mode=related&search

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ftJhDBZqss

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEax1mJhJQ0

New ways to force ads into your skull?

2007-06-19T05:57:00.000-07:00

So, because we can just download tv shows now (with no ads) or people with digital tv (TiVo etc) can fast forward through the ads, advertisers have to come up with new ways to MAKE you watch the ads. Like placing the ads IN the show your watching:
leveltendesign.com Link

I already can't watch tv anymore because of the constant bombardment of crappy advertising, so if ads are IN the shows content now, what do we do? Stop watching any kind of tv show? even online?

Watch online here: http://tv-links.co.uk/

What Monitor?

2007-06-05T09:06:00.000-07:00

I see Apple have decreased the price of their monitors to compete with Dell:
Link >>

And Dell now have a 30" monitor option (to compete with Apple):
Link >>

While HP have some nice new product designs (PCs & Monitors) which I suspect is largely related to HP's increase in sales, even though I can't find pricing or buy online :(
Link >>

And Eizo have some excellent features in their monitor range.
Link >>

Some good priced monitors here >>

But if money is no object, I think it would have to be this
THE BEAST >>

More reviews here >>

Very Funny Posts

2007-05-31T06:53:00.000-07:00

http://wombat.eu.org/fun/australia.txt

My Flying Startups PodCast Article

2007-05-11T06:31:00.000-07:00

Hi Flying Startups,

I listen to the PodCast and think it’s great, very informative and inspirational. However (bit of a rant now) whilst listening to episode 3 (9/29/06) I noticed some "Web Designer bashing", so I decided to try and enlighten the listeners a little more about the web design industry.

You mentioned excessive costs of website design...
This, like any other industry or service, depends entirely on where you look. Big design agencies usually charge a lot more, as they have large overheads and you are paying for the name and a professional service (not to mention a good few peoples salaries).

You mentioned people should learn to "design" their own website...
Sure, this is a great idea, if they have the time and will to learn how to design and build a website properly. Time they could be spending on promoting their own business and products. It has taken me years to learn what I know now, and the industry is constantly changing.

There are many areas to designing and building a website (here are just three)…
1. Professional Design:
This affects how your company is portrayed and perceived by visitors. Bad design makes your company or product look cheap/bad. Good design will be the difference between making a sale or not. If your site looks like it was made using Word in an hour or two, you WILL lose many sales. Professional design makes your company look professional, experienced and trustworthy, which equals many more sales.

2. Graphical User Interface:
This affects the ease of use or how easy it is to navigate your site. Bad GUI design can make a site unusable and visitors WILL leave within seconds. It is proven that visitors typically visit a site for one thing - information. If this is not easily accessible immediately, visitors leave the site and go to a competitor’s site (usually within 5-10 seconds).

3. Search Engine Optimisation (so the site actually gets visitors):
This is a huge area in itself. There are thousands of search engines, and many different ways to make your site rate higher in the rankings. The only way to do this properly takes time as this is constantly changing too. That’s one of the things you are paying a web designer for, their experience. So you don’t have to spend hours, weeks, months or years learning all of this stuff.

Some people seem to think design is something just anyone can do, with no experience!
Whist design IS a personal thing (everyone has their own idea of what good design is), there are certain things that need to be taken into consideration when building a website. It’s not just design. It’s also programming, usability, colour theory, download speed, search engine ranking, keywords, features and functionality, competitor ratings etc. This is something that also takes years of learning through your own mistakes (or at least has taken me) and cannot be just thrown together in a day or two.
Whilst it is true, that almost anyone can learn the BASICS of how to “design” and build a simple website in a relatively short time (usually days), chances are it will not be designed and built to the optimal ability you want your company, product or service to portray. In most cases it will be very basic compared to what it could potentially be, and usually breaks many design rules that adversely affect the loading times, usability and many other issues that only a designer of many years experience will be looking for and know how to avoid.

Whereas design rules are flexible, they do exist for a reason. They help guide you to what is more usable, professional looking, and help your site get better results in both marketing efforts and search engines. This takes experience.

If I may offer some simple advice on the Flying Startups site.
The first, and major thing that affects download speed, and most importantly the users computer (processor) speed, is the large background image (see screenshot image attached). This makes the site virtually un-scrollable without almost freezing the users CPU (computer processor). I would remove the large background and use a smaller background image in one specific location, like this example: www.selfthought.com
This will help the site use a LOT less processing power and make the site much quicker to use and load.

As I said before, I am a big fan of the PodCast show. I just wanted to clarify the role of web designers a bit more, as they are not all overcharging cowboys looking for a quick buck. Some of us want to build lasting relationships through keeping the customers happy, getting return business and more customers through word of mouth, and creating win-win situations for both parties.

I hope this is of some help to your listeners, even if only helping you to save time or to have a better understanding of the design industry in general, and website issues involved in website design.

So who am I to be telling you about all this stuff?
I am a designer with 17 years experience in print and web design & development. You can see some examples of my past work here: www.KTdesigner.com

PS. I wouldn’t try to fix my own car, do my own plumbing, fix my own teeth, or build my own house. All of which can cost varying amounts (sometimes expensive) but usually pricing is not questioned in these industries.

So why is it, some people continue to question the value of quality design work. It’s not just sitting at a computer pressing a few buttons (as I’ve heard it described before) but something that takes years to perfect. It’s constantly changing and there’s always more to learn. I pay other people to do things I can’t do. Design is just another service and should be recognised for what it is, a specialist subject that takes years to develop.

Thank you for reading.
KTdesigner.

Time 2007 Style & Design 100

2007-05-07T10:15:00.000-07:00

Interesting and I concure with most choices.
www.time.com/time/specials/2007/style_design

Intersting article on design

2007-05-05T23:48:00.001-07:00

Click here for link to "are designers the enemy of design"...

Places I've been to, so far, in this life...

2007-05-03T06:17:00.000-07:00

So you want to be a Designer!

2007-05-01T14:40:00.000-07:00

My Background

KTdesigner.com was set up as a portfolio site by Irish designer Karl Thompson, in 2004. The purpose of the company is Web Design, Graphic Design, Multimedia, Identity Design (logos) and Consultation - what’s the best way to design/develop a particular project.

My work can be seen at www.KTdesigner.com

The type of work I undertake is:

Website design & development
Graphic design - magazines, brochures, stationary etc.
Logos
Illustration
Multimedia
Presentations
Digital photography
I cover almost all design related fields

Job Specification

What is your job title?
Multidisciplinary Designer, or Graphic Designer, or Senior Web Designer, or Uber Overlord Designer (you choose, it’s only a title, it’s the work that counts.)

What are your duties, responsibilities etc.?
Designing websites, logos, brochures, illustrations etc. for clients, “the full package”.
Dealing directly with clients and informing them of the best way to proceed with a project based on time and cost restrictions, search engine optimisation, competitors sites features and desired end-product usability and features.

What qualifications do you require to gain a similar position to yours?

Be creative.
Gain as much software and computer knowledge as you can (this is a continuous process as computers and software are always changing).
Look at what other designers are doing (buy studying design books, looking at design sites, learning from other designers and they’re styles).
Have the “will” to do it. Experience in any area takes years, and its not always fun. Learn from your mistakes.

Would it be useful to study other courses, and if so which ones?

Yes, anything and everything that relates in any way to design. I studied, Classical Animation, Art, Design, Computer Hardware, Networks, Multimedia, Computer Operating Systems, Digital Photography, Colour Theory, German, French, Spanish, Polish languages (but not to the point of being fluent) etc. The more you know, the more you will understand. Even if you studied say, car mechanics as a hobby, some day you may have to do a flash illustration of a car engine and its working components, and it would sure help a lot if you knew what you were looking at. All knowledge will help at some time or another, and not just in a job.

Would it be useful to gain a variety of work experiences?

Yes and no. Yes if it relates in some ways to what you want to do. Working in a betting shop or on the factory floor is not really going to help you become a better designer (although any work looks better than none to prospective employers). But it would be much better if you could find experience in something relative and creative. In my first real design related job I started off building signs, which was not very creative, but it was a first step towards becoming a designer with experience in many different types of work, and if you don’t like it after a few weeks, move on to something else (I hated working in Pizzerias etc).

What would you look for in an employee, and how important is it out of 100%?

Natural talent
15% - talent can be learned with enthusiasm, but it does help if you already have talent (a shorter learning curve).

Experience
50% - Unfortunately someone with no experience has too much to learn, and there’s never enough time to teach someone everything before they start a job. However, if they have already been learning by doing at home, or on courses it all helps. Learn from your mistakes on your own sites or projects before making mistakes on clients work (when possible).

Punctuality
75% - Very important, someone who is always late, just doesn’t seem to care enough.
And excuses wear thin quickly.

Good attitude
95% - Nobody likes to work with someone who always makes excuses and complain about other staff. An old saying goes - A bad worker blames his/her tools.

Willingness to learn
100% - This is VERY important. Nobody is born with the knowledge they need to do any job, and someone who has spent the time to learn as much as they can, on their own time (and will continue to learn) has a much better chance than someone who just thinks of it as a 9 to 5 job, and forgets about it once they are out the door.

Conclusion

Find out what it is that you want to do (I assume you want to be a designer, that’s why your reading this). For most of us, that comes through finding out what it is that we don’t want to do. The only constant is change.

Set goals and time frames.
If you want to be a designer, or successful artist or whatever, set a goal that within one year (or however long you feel is believable) you will have learned this new skill, or met this person, or built this type of portfolio for a gallery exhibition, and then after you have learned this, you will move on and learn whatever other skill is next. Take it one step at a time, don’t just look at the top of the stairs and think “I want to be at the top now, but it’s impossible”.

Work at it constantly.
There is no easy way (unless you’re the boss’s son “joke”). Look at it like a sculpture carved from rock, one chip at a time. If you have the right attitude and will power, you will get the experience for the job you want to do. And yes it may take years, and you may meet some hideous clients along the way (hopefully only about 1%), but this will pass like water under a bridge and eventually you will reach your ultimate goal or being a great designer.

Hope this helps, thank you.

KTdesigner.

Fun stuff

2007-04-23T04:22:00.000-07:00

Found this on another blog. (In the words of Homer) It's funny cause it's true...

Design Fed

Gamification

The Gamified World

Stargate iPhone 3G wallpaper

Monkey iPhone 3 Wallpaper

How to make a custom, unique iPad case

The Future is NUI (natural user interface)

Spam!

Is TV an evil, brain wasting, time vortex? Yes.

Continuing on the Star Trek theme :)

Star Trek LCARS iPhone wallpaper

This is Soooo funny (because it can be true at times)...

Secrets of Simplicity: rules for being simple and usable (Giles Colborne)

Why is Apple gear more expensive in Ireland

So you have a hi-spec PC, graphics card, monitor, mouse etc. But theres still something "not quite right"...

Important links for designers, sales and anyone interested in what’s going on in the world of design!

Some good Design related links

For those interested in Photography, here are some good links. Enjoy :)

This is awesome!

Benjamin Zander spoke at Lotusphere 2009

Future of Web Apps Event - Dublin, March 6, 2009

Ubiquity

Meetings!

Designers: Take the survey!

Aer Lingus Flying Saucers - Irish UFOs (or IFOs)

Inner and Outer space x10

Web Forms research and suggestions

Man made UFOs!

Lightning Storm Engulfs Erupting Volcano

Angelina Jolie Pitt

Tag cloud

The BMW GINA

Get the next FireFox

Patterns and UX

Sad but true

NY Time Technology Articles

Logos updated to be "Web 2.0"

Photoshop Disasters

Flying Penguins

Shift happens

PicLense

Where I've been

Twine

Coolness!

Want to see possibly the most HIDEOUS website on the net?

Top 10 mistakes in designing web apps

Free Broadband from Google

Some nice design sites

1gb, 20 years

Adobe's going all social

Are you curious?

Tech Videos from CES 2008

Microsoft announces a 79% profit, but everyone hates them?

Logo Design Trends

Annual Cross Ireland Run

Tech TV

OMG, I want this monitor

If you are into motorbikes...

Interesting Site

Nikon D300 camera of the year 2007

Photoshop gets rebranding

Photographs

Interesting way of doing a presentation (with a DJ)

Ogilvy, IBM ads

Cool, I want one...

Bloomberg Terminals & UI makeover

The Power of Design

Fight for Kisses

Adobe Video Training

Helvetica

Genius

No Plan, No Model, No Problem!

OMG! I actually remember this UI

Funny

Software Designers Use

iPhone features

Near Future Computer Interfacing

New ways to force ads into your skull?

What Monitor?

Very Funny Posts