Blog Topic #6: What is Experience Design?

Many designers have found a rigid focus on usability design stifling to creativity on the Web. The incorporation of experimental navigational systems, animation, sound, high-end graphics, and multimedia elements are often left out of sites who focus on fast-loading pages and making things as easy as possible for the user. However, as broadband connections become increasingly common, so too have many designers become increasingly interested in creating user experiences on the Web; sites where users can do more than simply read a brochure or shop at a store. Companies and designers are discovering that the Web can also be a place for drama, emotion, and a branding experience. Such designers are working in a relatively new design area sometimes called "experience design."

In your own words, define experience design. What considerations would be important for you as a designer if you were designing a site that focuses on "experience." Can you find a site that is a good example of experience design? Why is it a good example and how does it differ from other sites? Like debates between form and function, designing for experience and designing for usability are frequently put at odds. Why is this? Do you think they are mutually exclusive? Or, can they co-exist in design? 

One good resource:

• Glossary of Experience Design terms from author Nathan Shedroff

Possible points: 25 points

Blog Topic #5: What is Usability?

There is a lot of talk in the web design community about user experience and usability design. What is usability? What is meant by usability testing? What considerations are important for you as a designer if you were designing a site that focuses on "usability."

Can you find a site that is a good example of usability design and/or that provides resources or insights into usability?

A few resources for you to check out:

• Article on effective web design/usability with 10 principles to keep in mind.
• Article on 30 Usability Issues to Be Aware Of
• The site from Jacob Nielsen, probability the best known advocate of strict usability design.
• Don't Make Me Think - A good book about usability
• What resources can you find?

Possible points: 25 points

Blog Topic #4: Customize This

Designers sometimes use blogging software and sites such as Blogger and WordPress as content management systems or as ways to allow clients to easily self publish. Often, they need to customize their blogging sites to fit their clients needs and/or branding.

Not so much a topic as a task, what ways can you find to customize the template you've chosen for your class blog? Can you change colors and fonts, add images, gadgets, or other elements? Try to customize your blog and report on what you've done, how you did it, and what else might be possible.

Possible points: 25 points

Blog Topic #3: What is RSS?

On Blogger, you have the option of publishing a site feed which will create an XML version of your blog for RSS syndication. What is RSS? How is it useful and/or being used? How can you use the RSS feed to track updates to your fellow student's blogs? What's an aggregator?
Useful resources:

• http://www.bloglines.com
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rss
• What other useful resources can you find?

Possible Points: 20 Ponts

Blog Topic #2: Can I get a resource?

Design and development for the Internet is a dynamic and constantly changing field. As technologies and practices change, designers need to be able to keep up. The fact is, nobody can know everything. And, there's always someone out there who knows more than you. Given this, the web design community has always been very open to sharing information and inspiration. As a designer, it's important that you learn where to find sites of information, inspiration, and resources.

Your task: find a resource and share the love. Find a site that provides information, tutorials, forums, stock resources (photos, audio clips, movies, etc.), scripts, downloads, articles, advice, design tips, or links to well-designed and inspiring sites. Tell us what the site is about and how it is useful and include a link to the URL.

Don't know what kind of sites are appropriate? Here's a very short list of resources that I like:

• Adobe Support Center (lots of tips, tricks, and tech support right from the horse's mouth)
• Blue Vertigo (lots and lots of links to great resources for designers)
• A List Apart (articles and tutorials on web design)
• Flashkit (for Flash tutorials and sound loops)
• Actionscript.org (great source of actionscript tutorials and articles)
• CGI Resource Index (great source of CGI programs and scripts for the Web)
• Lynda.com (video software training)
• CSS Zen Garden (Cascading Style Sheet info and inspiration)
• Dope Awards (links to inspiring and cutting-edge sites)
• Smashing Magazine (online design magazine)
• Favorite Website Awards (links to inspiring and cutting-edge sites)
• Rhizome.org (new media arts and artists)

Possible points: 15 points | Can be repeated: 1x