If CES is any indication, expect to see a lot more wearables, connected cars, and connected home devices in the coming year. That’s good news for UX designers as it will inevitably mean more interesting problems to solve and experiences to design. Also this week, Twitter finally figured out what makes all user’s happy (hint: it’s a microinteraction). Enjoy the links and have a great weekend!
— Kenny
Articles
Increasing User Engagement with Rewarding Interactions
A look at how MailChimp, Photojojo and GrubHub use rewards effectively by adding small and delightful user-initiated surprises throughout the user journey.
Easy win: Citibank
Short and to the point for Citibank’s forgot password flow – when there is only one item, the system should pre-select it for you.
17 Usability Testing Myths and Misconceptions
Debunking the most common myths and misconceptions about usability testing.
Google shows you a good time
Another short article that shows how Google takes into account time preference and translated 24-hour time into 12-hour time in the US.
Making and Breaking UX Best Practices
UX Designer Brendon Cornwell writes about how following best practices doesn’t always lead to the best user experience.
Why I design enterprise UX, and you should too!
Complexity and ambiguity can offer valuable moments for inspiring beautiful novelty in enterprise UX. Here’s a personal perspective from Uday Gajendar on why you should design enterprise software.
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Tools & Resources
Capptivate for iOS
Capptivate is a curated collection of app animations. I wrote about the website in a past issue and now they just released their complete collection of app animation videos for your iPhone.
Mobile Touch Overlay
Free touch overlays for use in your favorite wireframe or mockup tool based on research about how people see, hold and touch their mobile phones and tablets.
BLOKK font
Sometimes when you’re presenting wireframes or mockups, you don’t want the client to get hung up on lorem ipsum. BLOKK font solves that. Another alternative is redacted font.
Media
Rosenfeld Media UX Book Giveaway Contest
Enter the for a chance to win a UX book from the good folks at Rosenfeld Media. Lots of great titles on various user experience topics.
Dollars to Donuts (Podcast)
A new podcast by Steve Portigal. In the first episode, he talks with Gregg Bernstien, Researcher for MailChimp, about how MailChimp uses research to uncover new product opportunities.
The Design Details (Podcast)
Another new podcast about the people who design our favorite products hosted by Bryn Jackson and Brian Lovin. Episode 1 features designer and developer Sam Soffes.
Guide to Mockups (ebook)
A free ebook of UI design knowledge by UXPin. Learn about the different types of mockups, their advantages and disadvantages, and when to use them.
Portfolios
Amy Woo
Amy Woo is an interaction designer currently studying MFA Interaction Design at the School of Visual Arts. She provides a good summary of her projects and problems she or her team were trying to solve and show’s her work through sketches, mockups, and video.
Last But Not Least
Make-Your-Own 2014 Annual Report
Warby Parker always puts together a good year in review and now you can join in on the fun and create your own.
“Designers shooting for usable is like a chef shooting for edible.”
— Aarron Walter
