How to build tech that does things differently
Data ethics principles and processes are useful, but they are often of limited use when it comes to addressing the social and environmental harms of the data economy. This post is about using creative R&D to build data technologies that embed a different set of values from the ground up, balancing e..
Can you judge a book by its creative director?
Like a duet or dance, it’s about making your creative partner succeedThe co-authors of Two Beats Ahead, Panos A. Panay and R. Michael Hendrix; photo: Kimberly Panay, 2018In 2016 I was approached to write a book. I turned it down, only to find myself working on it a year later. The reason was that al..
The UX of deadnaming
What happens when systems don’t know the difference between a legal name and a chosen name (and how can designers care about trans people)
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If you fail, I fail
How lockdown has taught designers to truly understand their clients.Image by Rikki StoreyAs the UK passes a sobering milestone marking a year since the first lockdown was announced, I have realised two truths:
As designers, we don’t truly understand the impact our clients experience during periods o..
Beyond the buzzword: Gamification done right
Gamification can make a good product better if done right, but it’s not a magic potion
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The interface effect
An interface is not something projected on a screen, it is a mediation technique between interrelated levels and layers.No one knows for sure, how Gyges came to the throne of Lydia (680 BC), which led to countless stories and legends about it. At that time, Lydia was ruled by Candaules, a man who ac..
Accessibility vs Design trends
Neumorphism? Glassmorphism? Material Design? All design trends can be accessible.
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The problem with underspecified notifications
We often fear giving our users too much information. But doing so comes with a cost and the check engine light is a prime example.
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Testing fonts for accessibility
Selecting accessible fonts for your copy is not just to help users with disabilities and special needs – it increases legibility for all…
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Why has no one made a better Goodreads
People who read often desire to read in connection with other readers. Readers have found community within the website, “Goodreads.” And while it builds community and conversation, most who use the site want a better Goodreads. Anyone who’s used it for anything repeatedly shares a number of laments...