Some theories… Apple makes hardware that allows you to consume content… content that you collect and love and revisit. Music, movies, TV shows, games… we have a lot of "stuff." Apple has a distribution network that lets you instantly buy…
Category: My Quora answers
My Quora answers, UX Articles
Should designers have their own style, or be flexible?
The answer to me lies in changing the question. Replace the word "designer" with "artist" or "writer" and the ask the question again. Would you ask a writer or an artist to confirm their style? Should they? I say no,…
My Quora answers, UX Articles
How do you sell the value of qualitative user research to business stakeholders?
First, tie the research to business goals. If the business goal is to increase adoption of the company’s product in a certain demographic, then emphasize the need to understand these users in order to properly message the value proposition of…
My Quora answers, UX Articles
What courses of study and/or degrees are recommended for a career in UI design?
First off, UX and UI is not the same thing, so what degree you pursue is directly related to which one you want to focus on. User interfaces are the predominant canvases that user experience designers use, but if you…
My Quora answers, UX Articles
What are best ways to combine personas with user stories?
The best way to integrate personas with user stories are to understand that personas are characters in a story, and they have emotions, drivers and motivations just like any characters in any good stories do. I’ve often seen the parallels…
Apple, My Quora answers
Did Steve Jobs read science fiction and, if he did, did he have any favorite authors?
No, but he (apparently) DID like Star Trek. He mentioned Star Trek on two separate product launches, played a clip from the reboot when introducing the iPad and a shot from the newest Star Trek was used to promote the…
Movies, My Quora answers
What movies do people enjoy watching over and over, and why?
A purely subjective list, obviously… here’s mine. Singin’ in The Rain – The best musical, ever. It is pure happiness in cinematic form. It’ll cure what ails you! The Godfather – The best movie, ever. It’s flawless. Citizen Kane –…
My Quora answers
Are answers that are 1 page long with 5 diagrams or photos a form of intimidation?
Joseph Dickerson, Been a hands-on interaction designer for many y… Intimidation implies intent, and I think that most users who provide long comprehensive answers aren't doing so to intimidate, but are rather trying to be complete in their response. Now,…
My Quora answers, UX 101, UX Articles
What best practices exist for recruiting usability test participants?
Use personas. If you recruit using personas that have been developed based on customer research then there can be no issue that you have brought in the right test participants, because you can use the attributes as screening criteria. Allow…
My Quora answers, UX Articles
What’s the best way to display terms and conditions to an online customer?
Terms and Conditions suck. If you follow the lawyers direction, the user will have to read every bloody line of the document, agree to it AND be forced to print it out and sign it as well. I wish I…
My Quora answers, Technology, UX Articles
What are the rationale behind some of the recent Facebook UI changes?
The same rationale that drives all tech companies to change their products: featureitis. If you are maintaining the status quo then you are not evolving and that lack of new features could cost you customers/eyeballs. The problem with featureitis is…
My Quora answers, UX 101, UX Articles
What are the qualities that distinguish great designers from the rest?
Great question – I just did an "exit interview" with a senior UX designer who was consulting for my company and this very topic came up. Some insights from that conversation (and some of my own opinions) are as follows:…
My Quora answers, UX Articles
How can I land my next UX design job with a patchwork quilt resume/portfolio?
This might sound counterintuitive, but simplify your resume, remove any and all achievements that doesn’t align with one thing: problem solving. Problem solving is a key aspect of the UX profession. Make your resume reflect the story of how you…
My Quora answers, UX Articles
What is software elegance?
Elegance is in the eye of the user. I state that because the perception of elegance is a personal one, and the best you as a designer can do is define what you think elegance is and then provide a…
My Quora answers, UX Articles
What are the difference in web-browsing habits between people who browse on cellphones and those who browse on a computer?
I've done some ethnographic research of mobile web-browsing and the key thing that I have found is that mobile browsing tends to be around quick checking (of a fact, like train or movie times) and laptop and tablet browsing tends…
Geek, My Quora answers, TV
Is River Song the Astronaut?
Spoilers, Sweetie… The obvious answer is “Yes, the suit contained young River, and so young River killed the Doctor in the suit.” And River “missed” because she could not kill her younger self (and her “of course” quote is because…