d.school

I came across the site for Stanford's d.school, where fellows of the school white posts about design related topics, especially design research.

https://dschool.stanford.edu/fellowships/

Bridging the Gap Between Design School and Social Impact

I found this cool article about how to take what we learn in design school and apply it to the real world.

https://medium.com/bridge-collection/bridging-the-gap-between-design-school-and-real-world-impact-a-q-a-with-enrique-allen-bf6c9ab83833#.yq3986au1

Follow up on Guest Speaker

During the guest lecture on Thursday, I raised concern over the method used as an alternative to a user story, what she called a job story. My concern was that she was introducing a tool that established a cause and effect narrative for any design paradigm that had three components, context, motivation, and outcome. My qualms stemmed from the fact that this establishes a over arching narrative that utilizes the market as the driving force of the design process, maybe I am reading into it too hard, but her example didn't help.

I did some futher reading on the subject, since much of the design field revolves around this unspoken or sometimes addressed narrative, that the market drives both design and innovation.

I found this research paper that examined the impact of the recession of 2008 on the design field and the collapse of market driven design during that time. It goes on to explore means of combating this reliance on the entrepreneurial class and the traditional role of "customers".

The cross over from italian is a little jilted but here is a segment of the abstract:

"Design has recently responded to this new situation by generating new working methods. Politecnico di Torino has evolved its classic demanding approach to design and brought it up to date by incorporating “explorative” capacities into the training of its students, providing them with the necessary skills to cope with an absence of market, proposing the designer as a key figure capable of exploring existing situations and off ering new solutions."

Full Text

5 Must Read Tips for Your First Kickstarter Video

This was great! I need all the help I can get.

http://www.videobrewery.com/blog/5-tips-kickstarter-video

Basics of Adobe Premiere

I'm not sure who is all in the same boat as me and never edited a video before, but Adobe offers great tutorials. I am going through them now.

https://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-pro/tutorials.html

Awesome Q&A with the lead designers of Adidas' new laceless boot set to release in 2016. The Q&A briefly describes inspiration/development/process/challenges that came with the design

adidas 'Laceless' Design Q&A

"Apple Has Lost The Fundamental Principles of Good Design"

Interesting article from two former employees of Apple. They have claimed that Apple as a company has lost their way of making their products discoverable, feedback friendly, recovery, and so on, and are now focusing on elegance and visual simplicity.

http://www.theverge.com/2015/11/16/9743996/apple-designer-interview-bruce-tog-tognazzini-don-norman

Nike Designers Team up with Kids fighting Crohn's disease

Nike Designers teamed up with children who have or are in the process of fighting Crohns disease by allowing them do design their own shoes with logos that represented what they have conquered in their own way. All the money raised for this event was donated to Doernbecher Children's Hospital.

http://www.oregonlive.com/playbooks-profits/index.ssf/2015/11/young_designers_of_the_nike_do.html

Ideo Design Research Articles

Some good articles by IDEO discussing specific design research methods

Design Research Methods

Design Event Movies

http://www.imdb.com/list/ls073826889/

http://www.fastcodesign.com/3041441/22-movies-every-designer-should-watch-on-netflix

Self-adaptive membrane: Technology and the Built Enviornment.

This is an example of when design research pays off. This new material is adaptive to incoming solar radiation, and changes forum as it expands.  Its creators are targeting the new design paradigm created by technologies merger with our built environment. Really cool stuff.  Read the article.

Article

Instructions For A Bad Day

The design process is a cruel mistress at times.  During those dark times when the problem seems too hard and the design just doesn't want to come together it can be hard to take a step back.  This is a cool poem that was shared with me recently that is pretty relevant. Heres a little motivation for the bad days, Ill just leave this here.

Oh, and its also a short video with a powerful underlying message.

Designing A Good Short

This is a not so short, "short" article about how to create a better short film.  

Phew that was a lot of "shorts" check it out short link to short article on short films

Dubai Design Week

Dubai is hosting design convention that is hosted all around the city. From the beach to the city you can see lots of different designs made by entrepreneurs. http://www.dezeen.com/2015/11/16/movie-dubai-design-week-open-doors-design-industry-cyril-zammit/   

IMB finally changing it up

IMB is finally pushing to change up their entire appearance and approach with the company. The plan is to hire 1,100-1,500 designers so they may integrate their design thinking methods. http://fortune.com/tag/design-thinking/

A dose of "Why Design Matters" for your weekly "What am I doing with my life" crisis.

This is a really cool site that shows some really cool examples of design from previous eras. Check it out!

Kickstarter Shows Process and Has a Better Than Just Decent Video (!)

This cool Kickstarter campaign is displaying elements of what we've learned this semester. The full process is shown well with answers to potential questions addressed early. This is definitely a thought out video and it makes it quite easy to understand. Good story to be told at the beginning and a solid process explalination as well. I'm digging their re-usability action - good choice and also a positive selling endorsement.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/keap/keap-candles-made-better?ref=video

Former Apple designers: If Apple were taking an interaction design class, it would fail.

I'd say that is a hefty claim considering that many have attributed Apple's success to its attention to user interaction.

One major take away for me: Ignoring the grunt work of design research, prototyping, and testing doesn't slow down the development process. On the contrary, it speeds up the process by catching problems early. According to these formal Apple designers, Apple is focusing too much on beauty and has forgotten those simple principles. 

http://www.theverge.com/2015/11/16/9743996/apple-designer-interview-bruce-tog-tognazzini-don-norman

Myths about Data and Design

I've struggled a lot with how to collect data and even more so with HOW to use it. This article from UX Magazine talks about some common misconceptions or ideas on data and the design process. I've highlighted one of them with excerpts from the article here:

 Myth: Data Kills Innovation

Data is seen as the antithesis of innovation, in all sorts of ways. Well, actually in three ways:

1. Most data, whether analytics, survey data, or customer service data, is backward-looking. Although we can discover patterns and trends, it is not easy to make predictions based off of those discoveries.
2. Data is tactical rather than strategic. Think of Google's 41 shades of blue testing. Because data-informed design is associated with A/B testing, it seems like a good way to tweak a design element but it’s not so great for creating an amazing experience.
3. Data, especially analytics, seems to skim the surface. Seeing what people clicked, how much they scrolled, or where they lingered can work well to form a picture about how to market a product. It does not work so well for informing design, because it lacks information about motivations, expectations, perceptions, or emotions.

There is some truth to all of these observations, of course. The core problem is not in the data itself, but in how it’s being used. For any data to inform design it has to be calibrated to embrace complexity. The user experience is not a funnel.

The main take-away for me: There is no right way to use data. Stay focused on the goal: use data to develop a better understanding of everyday experience.

Acrylic Tips

Anyone working with acrylic this semester? Here are some quickie tips and possible ideas for working with acrylic.

http://makezine.com/2015/10/29/skill-builder-acrylic/

Also check out how sweet this origami method turns out...(ahem Kathy)

http://makezine.com/2013/10/03/laser-cutting-acrylic-origami/

The top 10 trends of 2015

These are 10 key areas for opportunity and growth in today's rapidly changing economy. Plus, just check out the awesome parallax scrolling on this web cite!

Creativity Must Guide the Data-Driven Design Process

This article is helpful for driving selection bis out of our design research.

Design Research Vs Market Research

IDEO 16 Digital Tools for Design Research

DEPARTMENT OF PRODUCT DESIGN

https://www.ntnu.edu/design/research

This Site has some great papers on DESIGN!!

https://www.mendeley.com/disciplines/design/industrial-design/

Simplicity in Product Design

In this article, Debra Kaye talks about some key tactics to use when designing products and packaging. She relates concepts like intuitiveness, simplicity, and visually compelling packaging to the effectiveness of product design

Tips of Manufacturing and Prototyping a Product

Here is a page that has some good advice on prototyping and getting a new idea off of the ground. It's a bit on the short side, but the author gives some good, simple advice about manufacturing and costs that could be very helpful.

Post 9 –15 Common Mistakes Amateur Filmmakers Make (& How to Fix Them)

I thought this was interesting, considering I have never made a video before, so this next assignment will be a first.

http://nofilmschool.com/2015/03/15-common-mistakes-amateur-filmmakers-make-fix

Post 9 – Human Factors in Product Design

I thought this was a good read, it is often too easy to leave the human out of the design.

http://www.exponent.com/human_factors_product_design/

Body Language

So this is something I find fascinating and has been extremely important in some of my other jobs. This article speaks more on the importance of body language in interviews which for us doing design research is a critical thing to understand. Super interesting.

http://www.gv.com/lib/how-to-hack-your-body-language-for-better-interviews

Design Researchers Bookshelf

This was an interesting read about what design researchers are reading. It is from Frog Design. Pretty good list for your bookshelf.

http://designmind.frogdesign.com/2014/03/will-find-design-researchers-bookshelf/

Researching Logos

This looks like a great resource if anyone is having trouble designing logos for studio or anything else. http://www.graphics.com/article-old/logo-design-conducting-preliminary-research 

AIGA's take on design research

An interesting read from AIGA.
http://www.aiga.org/design-meets-research/

Design research principles with IS

Article discussing the problems with research methodology used currently in Information System and the use of Design research methodology to help fix the issues.

http://wesrac.usc.edu/wired/bldg-7_file/6B_1.pdf

How design research and experimentation apply to business

Here is an interesting read on some of the principles we have been discussing in class
https://hbr.org/2009/02/how-to-design-smart-business-experiments

Community Health Workers Reach Some Patients That Doctors Can't

Empathy in design is huge, even as researchers, right?  This article shows an example of health workers and researchers on the ground who are most effective due to their connection with the community.

"By being from the community, by speaking their language, by having these shared life experiences, they are able to break through and engage patients in ways that we, as providers, often can't." 

Dr. Clemens Hong, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services

Designs that were successfully done intentionall

Here are a cool 20 designs that were made intentionally but are successful in todays world. They have come a long way.  http://www.designnews.com/author.asp?section_id=1386&itc=dn_analysis_element&doc_id=278980&image_number=1

Starbucks Cup Design

Here some something that will keep you warm during the chilly season. Starbucks and how how the cups were designed. https://news.starbucks.com/news/the-story-behind-the-design-of-starbucks-red-holiday-cups-for-2015

Dutch Design Week/Student Graduation Show

So the Dutch Design Week is pretty interesting. There's a cool mix of functional and artistic pieces throughout the show. It was neat to see a student graduation show after attending 2 now. Take a look!

Dutch Design Week/Graduation Show

examples of different approaches to product design

BrandProject » Different Approaches To Product Design

Good quick read!

http://reboot.org/2012/02/19/design-research-what-is-it-and-why-do-it/

It actually begins the moment we learn about a project, whether we acknowledge it or not. We ask questions. We take notes. We learn everything we can about our client and their audience—and that’s before we even begin! Let’s explore the (purported) method to this (seeming) madness, known as design research.

http://www.uxbooth.com/articles/complete-beginners-guide-to-design-research/

The art of design research

This is an interesting article that supports an opposite viewpoint of one I posted last week. It talks about how essential to the process research actually is.  http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2011/05/the-art-of-design-research-and-why-it-matters/239561/ 

User experience design conference

For any of us interested in user experience design this might be a conference to keep in mind. Students get a pretty huge discount. http://www.frontutah.com/

Almost beating a dead horse (but its actually a good reminder to keep at the front of your mind)

Even though we are not traditionally "graphic designers", we have to be graphic designers to some degree in order to be successful.  Here are a few tips to keep you on your toes, some of which might be review.

quick tips for choosing a color scheme

Check out the link its a fast read I promise!
color scheme in 5.. 4.. 3.. 2.. 1..

How to Effectively Use Tables and Charts in a Research Paper

I thought this is useful, especially with pros 6b we are working on. I feel that it is harder to present data in a paper than on an infographic.

http://www.editage.com/insights/tips-on-effective-use-of-tables-and-figures-in-research-papers

Research Logistics

Here is the definitive guide to help us get our assignment done for this Thursday.

Keep your design relevant and cool

This website is the cutting edge of what is cool in the world of design. Just beware, you may spend a few hours here.

New Materials That Will Change the World

I Thought it would be a cool idea to look into some the new materials being developed. As designers I think that it is important to keep up on new cutting edge materials.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdiamandis/2014/10/20/the-next-billion-dollar-super-material/

Evaluation methods for usability. To help improve usability and identify problems

Usability Evaluation Methods

Market Research in Product Design Video

Watch this video about Market Research.

The Art of Design Research

Interesting article about the importance of research and the main concepts like learning about people's behavior, understanding and analyzing culture, defining context, and setting focus.

Prototyping Tools and Testing

The UX research and Design Blog has a pretty good article with different tools to test you prototype in a graphic design sense. These tools could help us with our info graphs and presentations more than out physical mockups, but it is still good stuff.

https://www.usertesting.com/blog/2012/10/23/prototyping-tools-and-testing/

Service Design Tools

Found this really cool site about different methods in the design process. This specific section is about testing and prototyping your design idea.

http://www.servicedesigntools.org/taxonomy/term/3

It's long. It's scientific. It's technical-sounding. It's late at night. This article is a nice, long read as to what it means to do empathetic design.

But... why?

This article is a nice little read on why the field we are all going into is even a big deal. Especially around this time of the semester when we are all feeling burnt out, I feel this is a nice pick-me-up.

Importance of biotechnology and Design

This article talks about how design is a important aspect of bioengineering. It explains how design accelerates new engineering ideas by the year more there than previous ones. http://www.popsci.com/why-our-biotech-future-needs-design

Magnetic Cell Sensors

Students at MIT were able to create magnetic protein cell's that can be tracked when it moves throughout its medium. Its main jobs is to track and monitor other cells that it travels with to see what they do and how they are interacting within the specific environment.  http://news.mit.edu/2015/engineers-design-nanoparticles-magnetic-cell-sensors-1102

Awesome jacket for flying.

Saw this on Kickstarter a while ago. I guess it has blown up a ton since it came out. They started by asking for $20,000 and have already passed $4.5 million. WOW. This served as inspiration for my pants when I first started my project, but the functionality is almost overwhelming.

Here's the link: http://www.core77.com/posts/39814/Super-Functional-Jacket-Designed-for-Air-Travel-Breaks-Crowdfunding-Records

keepin' it simple with color pallet

this article argues why we ought to keep things pretty simple and recommends using a monochromatic color pallet when dealing with interior design and a room.  I think this translates to product design and supports the concept that  simple design is usually the best design.  This is the link

Yamaha Jumps the Gun on Self Driving Cars

Cool technology and its on a motorcycle, cool, sweet, neat. The most striking thing about this whole deal for me is the insight that the man from Yamaha has. He (and probably his crew) saw the trend of these "self driving cars" and saw the problem that hey, in order for this to be implemented everyone will need a new car. Elon Musk did this with his own cars and released downloadable content (only for Teslas of course) that allows for the car to steer itself.

Instead of redesigning the car, Yamaha has created something that can do the driving for us, without us having to buy new cars. Seems like an incredible marketing move to me and some plain old amazingness.

http://www.core77.com/posts/42229/Yamahas-Alternative-to-Driverless-Cars-Robot-Driven-Cars-Starting-with-Motobot

color psychology?! what does my color pallet mean??

check out this link for a pretty brief article that covers some of the basics of how colors relate consumers to products and some basic concepts to help choose a slightly better color pallet for our target demographic.  check it out!

Importance of Iterations (with a banger example)

"Each time you feel stuck during your iterative journey, look at it as an opportunity to work through a design problem, acquire more experience attacking that kind of problem and move the image closer to your and your client’s ideal.

Iterating doesn’t have to be painful. Get messy, have fun learning and go create something beautiful."

This is a good article backing up the importance of iterations. As she developed the graphic, new ideas and inspiration unfolded - not just a better organization of the information she already had.

http://www.bhavacom.com/design/why-iteration-is-a-designers-best-friend-and-not-the-enemy-2/

Puzzled by asking Research Questions?

Asking the right questions to get the right information can be tough. As novice researchers, we are still trying to figure all of that out.  Here is a great article on the best research questions to ask. Here is an example:

Bad Questions: “Is this a useful feature?”

Best Questions: First ask, “Which aspects of this product would you find valuable in terms of how you work right now?” 
Then follow up by focusing specifically on the feature you’re interested in: “How would you use [the feature in question]?”

Article: Nondirected Interviews: How to Get More Out of Your Research Questions

Illustrating an interaction between a person and a product

Storyboard

A perspective on rapid prototyping

Design Better And Faster With Rapid Prototyping ...

This article talks about the importance of research in the design process. Research matters! 

Link to the article:  http://www.dtelepathy.com/blog/design/does-research-make-design-better

INCORPORATING TESTING AND FEEDBACK INTO THE DESIGN PROCESS

INCORPORATING FEEDBACK

Devbridge Group put together this great article that chops us the design process into different testing stages and how to go about gathering helpful feedback from ideation to implementation.

Each stage of the design process is full of questions. Even if you are coming up to the right solution to your design problem, there is rarely a moment during the process that validation and feedback is valuable to the design. Although sometimes feedback is difficult to hear and process and incorporate into your design, the more we seek feedback through testing, the more refined our solution with be at launch. This article teaches methods on embracing that feedback and making the most of it in our design processes.

INCORPORATING FEEDBACK

INDUSTIAL FACILITY: A PORTFOLIO OF THOUGHTFULNESS

INDUSTRIAL FACILITY

An important part of my weekly routine is scouring the web for good examples of good design. It is important to me to be able to recognize good design so that I can tell when I'm not doing good design. What we learned about design synthesis from Jon Kolko emphasized the importance of personal insight and taste in the design research process. If we do not take the time to refine our tastes and develop our own design language, how can we consistently deliver insights that people can trust? I'd like to share with you a design studio that has become one of my biggest inspirations of late. 

Industrial Facility, from the UK, has a portfolio full of understated beauty, simplicity, and smarts. The things they make are characterized by meticulous attention to detail, without sacrificing the simplicity of focused function. In a discussion with my wife about design, we decided good design effortlessly communicates thoughtfulness. It is not characterized by any specific detail, like minimalism, specific functionality, or sustainability. Good design, from what I can tell, is obviously thoughtful. Industrial Facility doesn't make thoughtless things. I implore you to take a look at their work. 

INDUSTRIAL FACILITY

Research smarter

This article is packed full of tricks of the trade from a professional design researcher. I picked up several tips on how to streamline and refine my research methods.

UX Researcher: A User’s Manual

This article describes how excel in the role of a design researcher working within a design team. It interesting to see how crucial design researchers are in industry!

5 Ways to Validate Your Startup Ideas with Less that $100

http://www.thegrowthlist.com/validate-startup-ideas/

Color Scheme Designer

Here is a fun tool to play around with when choosing color schemes! http://paletton.com/#uid=1000u0kllllaFw0g0qFqFg0w0aF

STORYBOARDS!!

http://www.peerinsight.com/musings/2013/5/30/design-research-101-storyboards

Real good, and easy to understand!

http://designresearchtechniques.com/casestudies/rapid-prototyping/

Act First, Do the Research Later

This is a super interesting article on whether or not design research is necessary or even possible at the beginning of a real world project. http://www.jnd.org/dn.mss/act_first_do_the_re.html

Color Research

This is one many of you are likely already aware of, but if not, this is a great place to research and further understand color and color theory; which factors into pretty much everyone's product.

https://color.adobe.com/create/color-wheel/?base=0&rule=Compound&selected=0&name=My%20Color%20Theme&mode=cmyk&rgbvalues=0.8,0,0.16799999999999993,1,0.3073750000002974,0.09999999999999998,0.4,0.21530000000007932,0.16000000000000003,0.2969040697672384,0.8250000000000001,0.20625000000000002,0.5458139534880047,1,0.09999999999999998&swatchOrder=0,1,2,3,4