Boxes and Arrows: Comments by Thomas Petersen

Thomas Petersen — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 07:32:38 GMT

I think with regards to for instance the MS mobile interface compared to I phone Wittgenstein sums up the difference:

“Today the difference between a good and a poor architect is that a poor architect succumbs to every temptation and the good one resists it”

This might be a detour from your conversation but I somehow got to think about this quote when I read the article and the discussion. I phone was a good idea to begin with and ended up being a great product because each link in the process where able to be true to the original vision instead of succumbing to the temptation of adding new stuff.

That is actually IMHO the most important factor, the ability to carry an idea the all the way through to completion without hesitating.

I always think in frequency of use. The higher the frequency, the lesser the narrative and vice versa. Therefore in more complex interfaces (take photoshop or 3D Max as an example) its not really the storyline of the GUI that is the key factor.

Thomas Petersen — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 07:08:45 GMT

Jessica

To you point I think Amazon did some analysis that showed that for each new page you add to let say a buy process, you loose 5% of your potential buyers.

It’s interesting, this discussion. I wouldn’t dream of hireing a designer who can’t baffle me with his form design skills. It’s almost become a success factor at our company since most of our clients a so reliant on making their money through the net.

Melissa

I am not sure I agree on the list. I think it is too elaborate. It’s not rocket science and user testing if you have the right designers shouldn’t be needed. I know I am probably stepping on someones toes here, but I really think it is important not make things more complex than they are. Most good designers will be able to do this, you dont even need an IA or ID or a UX.

But of course there are cases where you need to do some testing, it is though in 1% of the cases not 99%.

The 3 most important factors about form design is the following:

1. Is it easy to use and understand
2. Is it fun to use
3. Does it look good

That should be your 3 main criteria and you can only. They are vauge and that is their strenght.

That is at least what I have found after doing quite a lot of projects where the forms meant everything.

Thomas Petersen — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 23:55:34 GMT

The power of Linkedin is that it is not myspace and facebook.

It is missing the point to critique LInkedIn with regards to weak and strong ties.

It takes effort to connect and thank good for that, that means that the actual value of your network is so much higher per connection.