Analytics (work in progress)

Still a lot of refinement needed, but it's getting there. By the way, do you wanna send me a Dribbble invite?

 

What I'm Up To These Days

If you asked me a couple years ago, I would've never thought I'd be making wireframes.

Why I'll Always Make Things

A complete stranger sent me an email last week and totally surprised me. To be honest, I've never thought too much about making something that actually MEANT something to someone personally. It's pretty unreal.

I am interested in buying one of your "OCCUPY CAL" posters. I would love to get this signed by you, if that were possible. As background, i'm 24 and I got laid off from Merrill Lynch last month because of "budgeting issues", but it's okay because now i'm going back to school for art and architecture (my real passions in life). I really want to hang your poster in my room to support the movement and as a reminder of how much i disliked my job. Please let me know if I could get it signed and if you have any of these posters left in your inventory.

 Note: I would have totally given him a free poster, but unfortunately, I never had them printed.

Getting Started with iOS Design

I've been getting into some iOS app design for a new venture, and as an industrial designer it's been pretty interesting so far. In trying to get down the basics, I've had to do a lot of searching and sifting. Most resources I've come across have been geared towards developers or web designers, and nothing in between. This is an interesting dilemma because being educated in industrial design means being educated in user experience, and to a certain degree Illustrator and Photoshop. However, I lack skills and technical knowledge regarding coding, exporting assets, specific tools and tricks in Photoshop, etc.

So to help myself and others that might be in a similar position, I am compiling a list of resources here that I've found to be useful.

Note: I am also including some articles and resources on the specifics and clarification on what it means to be a UX designer.

1. The HIG

This is Apple's human interface guidelines. It includes best practices, basic knowledge and an essential starting point for any aspiring iOS designers.

2. Start Here (after reading the HIG)

http://mobile.tutsplus.com is a great resource for tutorials and basic skills. The link above includes information on retina and non-retina resolutions, how to set up a canvas, and most importantly - links to some templates.

3. Downloads from Teehan+Lax

All the templates and elements you will need to get started

4. Tapworthy by Josh Clark

If you aren't familiar with too many iPhone apps or mobile interfaces then this is a good book to look into. It contains a lot of information concerning UX, IxD, and marketing. The book also includes many case studies of successful apps.

5. Iterate Podcast

I came across this podcast when I was looking for something I could just listen to and absorb information while I was doing other things. The first half of every episode is a discussion of mobile design news and the second half is an interview with a successful consultant or firm. At first the jargon is a little hard to follow, but you'll catch on as you do more research.

6. Bjango Articles

These are technical and deep articles about best practices and tips for app design. They were a little hard to follow for me at first, but they are essential. There are elso some downloadable actions that will make your life a whole lot easier.

7. UX Resources

Article - From Industrial Design to User Experience : The heritage and evolving role of experience-driven design

Quora - What specific skills does a UX designer need to have?

8. Inspiration

http://dribbble.com/

http://pttrns.com/

http://wellplacedpixels.com/

http://littlebigdetails.com/

I will post more links as I find or remember them. If you have any additional comments or questions, comment below or send me an email. 

Update on Friday, December 30, 2011 at 4:20PM by Infredible

Article - Crafting Subtle and Realistic User Interfaces

Stance

While I was at Quirky, I had the opportunity to work on an iPad stand for cupholders. This video shows how we developed Stance in just one week!

I'M IN NYC!

A few months back, Ben and Gaz from Quirky.com came to visit one of my classes to talk about their company and what they do. I introduced myself to them and a couple days later, submitted an idea for a back to college product. It ended up being a winning submission, I applied for an internship, and somehow they remembered me. I almost didn't talk to them, but I'm glad I did.

So now here I am, spending the Summer in Manhattan and sweating my ass off.

Mbrela at ICFF

Our booth at ICFF and Light Up My Life in the centerWe have been featured here:

Design-phan.com

PhilaU Today