Picking a color scheme for a design project is important for designers. There are various online tools to help designers just do that. I’ve been a long fan of Adobe Kuler because of its rich user interface. Recently I came across another similar tool that takes this kind of “color picking” interface to a 3D level.
When it comes to improving web usability, subtle features are often quite important. Often times, those little slick design features improves user experience big times. A good example will be the famous Amazon.com one click checkout.
Many websites add gadgets above main navigation at the very top of the page to help improve user experience. (Example: Gap incorporates multi brands into one shopping experience.) However, I was on Kohls.com the other day and I could not figured out what they were trying to do with their little “top of the page” features.
There are two links on the top of the page, “Skip Navigation” and “Switch to High Contrast”. The “Skip Navigation” make the page jump to the content below navigation section. And “Switch to High Contrast” loads a different style sheet and gives the page a weird color scheme. In my opinion, these two links are just noise added on top of an already busied header section.
The “Skip Navigation” looks like the programmer just learned a new trick: anchor tag. And let’s see what “Switch to high contrast” does.
The high contrast version is hard on eyes. And those links are really hard on eyes. What happened to the QA engineers? On vacation?
This Flash app is a visual representation of American’s health condition by using techniques of mix-match/percentage/color code.
This provides a more interesting way to read information compare to a plain data chart. The transitions of “flying people” are nice touches.
The United States has been putting pressure on Chinese government regarding intellectual property rights. And that effort doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.
It looks like a Shenzheng based cellphone dealer is asking president Obama to help sell its Blackborry services. (Note: It’s BlockBerry) Whether they have permission from the white house, I’m not sure.
Announcing my newest non-profit venture: University of Courage.
What is this?
University of Courage is an online/offline community dedicated to encourage people, particularly young people/college students to contribute more to our society through education, recongnition and events. UCourage is currently in the very begining of a start-up phase.
Why am I doing this?
Teach someone how to fish is better than giving that person a fish.
Initially, I was searching for volunteer opportunities around Madison area for myself. I wanted to do something outside of my daily work but also meaningful to the society and inline with my personal interests. Unfortunately, I did find anything that I’m really interested in.
I started to think whether I can build something from scratch? So I asked my friend Kevin Kiser to sit down with me and start brainstorming. After a few weekends at east side coffee shops, University of Courage is what we came up with. If we dedicate ourselves to encourage others to do good, we can make a bigger impact.
How am I doing this?
First, building the online community. I’m currently exploring the possibility of using Wordpress MU. Basically use Wordpress as a CMS and the MU part as a user management tool.
Second, offline community. Kevin is currently looking into the possibility of forming partnership with local charities.
Third, continue recruitment. Building a team is the key to success. I’m hoping we’ll have the ability to continue finding great people to work with us.
I will post updates about this project periodically in the future.
I’ve always been a big fan of the Olympics, mostly summer Olympics. But lately I start to find the winter Olympic games are just as fascinating.
What I really like about the 2010 Vancouver website is the overall integrated design style. From background images, navigation tabs to buttons, most elements on the page are designed around the logo which is a Canadian traditional stone sculpture. The site is professional, clean, yet colorful and energetic.
Microsoft has been advertising aggressively its product via the series of “Laptop Hunter” commercials. Although my MacBook is only one year old and I’m not in a position looking for a new laptop, an HP laptop has grabbed my attention. The HP TouchSmart Notebook PC.
Photo credit: Amazon.com
A few features I really like about this laptop:
It looks like a grandma wanted the new Palm Pre so bad that she drove into a Sprint store.
My thoughts on old people driving: my earlier post. I’d say “watch out for the Buick”, but from the video I can’t really tell what kind car she’s driving.
Video from Chicago NBC 5:
View more news videos at: http://www.nbcchicago.com/video.
Google updated the way to navigate their Google map street view. Rather than keep on clicking, the flying through street is much more usable.
Hello! Welcome to my personal blog and portfolio site. I received my M.S. from DePaul University in Chicago and currently working as an interface designer for an energy control company in Madison, WI.