free scribbles

links for 2008-12-01

• The 404 Blog — Prototyping in Fireworks
  An 11 minute video on some of the basic features of Fireworks. It doesn't go into the creation of interactive prototypes, but covers off on some of the nicer features of the program that seem to combine some of the pros of photoshop with visio (the MS prog. I'm used to).
  (tags: web prototyping interface ia webdesign design reference)

links for 2008-11-28

• InfoQ: Colors and the UI
  I like the way he handles color from not only a psychological perspective but physics and accessibility, discussing the issues of contrast due to individuals' potential color blindness or because of the way wavelengths play with the perception of overlapping items.
  (tags: webdesign web usability ui interface design uxd userinterface)
• Flashlight Worthy - Handpicked Book Recommendations
  Site where people share their lists of recommended books. Heard of site through Whitney Hess and her User Experience lists on this site.
  (tags: tagging reference culture business books tangent)

links for 2008-11-27

• 15 Must-Have Bookmarklets For Web Designers And Developers
  Some slick tools beyond firebug to use. My top choices are the grid-rule-unit tool and the cross platform browser bookmarklet.
  (tags: webdesign web tools development design css reference)

links for 2008-11-26

• Can you Measure the Success of your Designs or Ideas?
  The author makes several good points about success measurement over gut instinct. I think that a holistic view has to be taken and instinct is developed over time with experience. But in this world, accountability needs to be in place or the money stops coming in. Don't spurn the use of analytical or quantitative design practices but include them in your toolbox along with instinct.
  (tags: design design-thinking marketing)

links for 2008-11-25

• Sidebar Placement: Do You Lean to the Right or the Left?
  Outlines the pros and cons of each placement and how to make the decision to use one over the other.
  (tags: design webdesign web navigation interface uxd)

links for 2008-11-24

• Why I Want to Build Your Website in Wordpress
  Interesting article outlining several arguments for using Wordpress as a CMS for any website.
  (tags: development reference tools webdesign web)

links for 2008-11-23

• Can Twittering Create an Economy of Words? | Learn at All Levels | Fast Company
  A solid articulation about how the social phenomenon of twitter can change the general perception of texting/micro-sharing from silly geek fad into a generally accepted way to share ideas and educate others where microbursts of communication have value equivalent to a phone call or lengthy blog post.
  (tags: thinking twitter social socialmedia business)

links for 2008-11-22

• Prototyping with XHTML - Boxes and Arrows: The design behind the design
  A lengthy piece on moving from more standard representations in development to more functional models.
  (tags: wireframe webdesign web uxd tools prototyping design development)
• IA now - SlideShare
  A succinct presentation on the challenges facing IA in the evolving web. The basics of common sense, psychology, and usability remain, but the tools to clarify the complex have and will continue to change.
  (tags: ia uxd design design-thinking webdesign wireframe web)
• Methodologie Browser Size Test
  A simple layout tool with some statistical backing for some of the more popular layout options. As of October 2008.
  (tags: webdesign web visualization reference tools inspiration development layout)
• A List Apart: Articles: A More Useful 404
  We did a more valuable 404 page on TM. But I would love to do this on all proj. moving forward. value add in the details.
  (tags: webdesign web usability development design css tutorial reference)
• Online Etymology Dictionary
  A place to find the origin of words. not the urban definitions though.
  (tags: reference culture tools vocabulary)

links for 2008-11-18

• 12 Principles For Keeping Your Code Clean
  12 solid principles to be reminded of when building a website.
  (tags: webdesign web development design reference accessibility css)

links for 2008-11-17

• 12 Principles For Keeping Your Code Clean
  12 solid principles to be reminded of when building a website.
  (tags: webdesign web development design reference accessibility css)
• 50 Incredible Fonts for Professional Web & Print Design
  A nice list of more fonts: handwriting, script, cartoonish, professional, etc.
  (tags: webdesign web typography reference logo fonts design)
• 25 Color Palette Generating Resources
  If ever you're in a jam to select colors for that redesign, here's some helpful tools.
  (tags: webdesign color design tools reference)
• Are you a sucky website designer? Take the test! - The Web Squeeze
  A good 10 question post with why answering yes is a good thing.
  (tags: webdesign web usability uxd)