Tumblr Checkout UX pattern causing security confusion
Tumblr.com’s new Premium Theme checkout process is clever. A traditional checkout process would feel a bit clunky in their environment. They should be applauded for taking steps to break that mold. However, I have one major problem with it’s implementation.
Ecommerce is plagued by one UX hurdle that most other sites do not deal with in nearly as much detail: security. Since Tumblr’s checkout takes place completely inline, you’ll never see “https” in your browser. The browser never shows the standard lock icon, indicating that the site was confirmed secure. Rather, they do everything through asyncronous calls which mask the security from the user.
Security is an asset and shouldn’t be masked from people willing to enter their credit card information.
OmniGraph Sketcher for iPad
I love the primitive nature of sketching graphs with precision with OmniGraphSketcher, and the new iPad version looks really slick.
NUMMI
This week on NPR’s This American Life, was an interesting story about how Toyota joint ventured with their competitors teaching them the Toyota way of manufacturing small automobiles.
This methodology, Kanban/Kaizen, was Mary Poppendeik’s inspiration for lean software development.
You can stream the episode or download it to listen to later.
Top 10 Tools for Designing Intelligent User Interfaces
Building intelligent user interfaces is not about tools, it’s about processes. In my experience, the best tools are the ones that encourage me to think and encourage me to design iteratively. My goal is to build between 5 and 20 low fidelity concepts, test them on real people and use the feedback to improve on the design.
I use the following “tools” everyday without fail, and I could not run my business without them. I’ve listed the most important tools first.
WARNING: If you are here looking for the latest in cool technology, this is not the place for you.
Amazon Previews it’s Kindle for iPad app
Today Amazon announced it’s iPad application. I was disappointed by last weeks release of the Kindle for Mac application, but it’s clear Amazon has focused their Apple developers on the iPad app. It looks quite polished.
I’ve been rather vocal about my love for the Kindle since the day it came out. It’s one of the best gadgets I’ve ever owned.
The iPad version looks like it contains all of the major features of the Kindle hardware.
Why wireframes belong to the past
David Gonzalez poses an interesting proposition to eliminate low-fidelity wireframes. I disagree.
Low-fidelity wireframing is most important part of my design process. I don’t mean low-fidelity in the sense of Balsamiq Mockups, but rather paper and marker wireframes.
Designers rarely get the design right the first time, second time, and as it is often in my case, the 19th time. For that reason, I want to keep the cost of change as low as possible. Few things are cheaper than low-fidelity wireframes that you can crumple up and resketch quickly.
Once the low-fidelity is good, we get real and don’t typically create high-fidelity wireframes at all.
How to pace yourself through laborious books.
I read books for two reasons: for entertainment or to learn something new. Occasionally, I’m fortunate to get both from a single book.
ReadMore, the new iPhone application from Navel-Labs helps you get through those books you need to read, but your mind refuses to concentrate on.
The premise is simple. Track your reading and gauge your progress. The application estimates the number of sessions it will take you to finish reading and about how much time that will take.
iPad Application Design
The iPad is not just “a big iPhone.”
Technologically speaking, it is very similar. The way you interact with it, however, is different. The applications don’t feel like mobile apps. They are robust, full featured and intuitive.
Make Your User Interface Intuitive By Encouraging Experimentation
The design industry is plagued with the misconception that product manuals are evil. These designers believe that your product should be intuitive enough to use without a manual.
While there is a certain truth to this, there are many viable reasons for product manuals to be used. There needs to be a certain level of competency that can be achieved without the manual.
A manual is never an excuse for poor design.
Your product should be designed to encourage people to experiment. That’s how people learn how your product works, and it is also how they discover advanced functionality.
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