I came across this excellent article about Apple’s highly textured and ornamented design (so-called “Skeuomorphic”) and Windows 8’s flat design. Apple tries to simulate real world objects and textures in its apps, such as iBook, Calendar, Notes; and in contrast, Microsoft tends to make interfaces look more flat and digital by removing every bit of adornment from its latest UI.
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This is a guidebook from Google Creative Sandbox, and WOW! Completely amazed by it.
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I finished another fun Coursera project: “EZ Air Dry”, a solution for hang-to-dry a fair amount of clothes in limited space. Some design topics come from the designer’s need, and this project was right the case.
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I had a great time with Coursera, one of the big three MOOC (Massive Online Open Course) providers, and happily completed my Human Computer Interaction (HCI) course. This is my first course in Coursera. I had such a great time with Coursera and my HCI course that I am currently doing two other courses. It’s so fun and I hope many more people can join this online study community!
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This might be a perfect and painful example that how a once successful product fades. After reading it, I seemed to understand why and how it got itself in trap. I think this is a good read for anyone who is interested in product design/development/management, because the lesson of this product is so painful and so valuable.
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Have you ever notice there is a “star” inside every apple? I was surprised to learn this amazing fact. If we take time to explore ourselves more, we can find the great potential inside us too!
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It’s time for family re-union, visiting friends and eating moon cakes!
Indeed, everyone can be a Fred. If we live with a very positive manner, genuine to others, proud of ourselves and our work, then we can have the drive to add value to our work and lives, and this can cause a ripple-effect in the lives of people that we come into contact.
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I think this is a great book to help a start-up-size company to be more creative, efficient and productive. I like the positive attitude towards product and services throughout the book – keep products simple and be speedy and genuine in business. A big portion of the book are pages of illustrations, some of them are really cute ~ They match the book style really well. Of course, although this book is great, it’s not perfect. This is a book that works for 37Signals (or maybe similar start-up style companies) but not every company. Some chapters have weak substances and so the theories look somewhat empty; And there’s a little arrogant in tone when they talk about ignoring customer’s advice or the conventional wisdom. I would say, well, this is just a collection of experience and advice from a particular company, and as always, we need to wisely filter what we learn.
There are always something that impresses me and makes me moved, especially when it’s full of imagination and creativity. In the two videos below, you can see how amazing when creativity flows.
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