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Wednesday
27Jan2010

iPad - just like the iphone, but worse.

DateWednesday, January 27, 2010 at 10:35AM | AuthorTrip ODell

*** Disclaimer - I work for Microsoft as a designer on Windows Live. All views reflected here are completely my own. ***

Those of you who know me well, know that I am a long-time (and usually fervent) Apple fan - I buy almost every 1.0 product they announce (when I can afford it) and usually I’m psyched when something as hyped as today’s iPad (seriously? - sounds like a hygiene product) get announced.

Perhaps, now that I work for the competition, I’ve been inoculated against the “reality distortion field” that gives most apple fanboys that warm-fuzzy feeling every January, but to me it stands to reason that this product isn’t particularly disruptive, exciting, etc, etc.

The iPad is cool, but it still encompasses many of the features that I dislike about my iphone - software keyboard with no force feedback, closed system, gets dirty quickly, fragile, etc. etc. I don’t like having to hunt and peck at the keyboard while I type.

Per usual Steve Jobs has designed a device he want to use - but I don’t think Steve watches a lot of TV, movies, etc. I don’t think Steve twitters or blogs.

I think this device would be downright painful to use over an extended period of use. Its not a TV that you can sit back and watch, its not a laptop where you can tilt the screen, its not a reflective display like eInk/Kindle - ultimately I think iPad may join the likes of Newton, the Mac Cube, AppleTV, and the Macbook Air on the trash heap of devices that came, were seen, but did not conquer.   

I don’t know about you, but I’ll hold out for MS Courier. 

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Monday
25Jan2010

Gun for hire

DateMonday, January 25, 2010 at 5:26PM | AuthorTrip ODell

I just started accepting freelance work again, and I've been enjoying the added variety. Don't get me wrong, I love working on Windows Live Hotmail, but designing the same thing every day gets a little stale.

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Friday
19Dec2008

Open for business!

DateFriday, December 19, 2008 at 4:13PM | AuthorTrip ODell

So, the new tripodell.com is officially live and accepting any and all comers. This is the 5th reincarnation of my portfolio, but this one feels like its built for the long run.

I built the blog on Squarespace hosting, which if you’re not familiar with it - is about as perfect an online WYSYWYG editor as I can find . The design is great, the workflows are straightforward and the interface is intuitive. Which is why I hate them…. kidding (sort of)…. every once in awhile someone comes along with a design that makes you burn enviously at how easy they make the process look. This is one of them.

My only complaint typically has to do with some small features that are missing (like a single interface to manage and edit blog posts).

Anyway, I’m using the site for my blog as well as my professional portfolio. If you or anyone you know is looking for a good interaction designer/generalist to work on a consumer-facing product, send them this way.

Also, check this feed for design and technology opinion pieces, critiques and rants.

Thanks and stay tuned.

Trip

 

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Thursday
18Dec2008

Photoshop Elements 7: Inspiration Browser

DateThursday, December 18, 2008 at 11:25PM | AuthorTrip ODell

Click to Enlarge

Inspiration Browser Screen call outs:

  1. The Inspiration browser has several search and sorting accordances including text and keyword search
  2. The user can filter the number of tutorial results dynamically by user rating and can browse results in a list or grid view.
  3. User can add their own ratings to tutorial content and can assign tutorials “favorite” status for easy recall later
  4. Community favorites/popular tutorials can be easily browsed in the horizontal strip below
  5. Users can retrieve related tutorials by clicking on the meta information of a tutorial such as author, level and category

 

One of the biggest challenges faced by many Photoshop Elements users is the knowing where to start a project. People buy Photoshop Elements because they want to make beautiful things with their photos and to share them with friends and family. But for many part-time creatives (hobbyists, novices, amateurs etc.) the prospect of starting from a blank canvas is terrifying.

The Photoshop.com Inspiration Browser was introduced with Elements 7 to help alleviate this problem. The user experience actually relies on two related features. The first feature is Inspiration Pods, which are contextually-based messages which appear in the lower right hand corner of Photoshop Elements, Organizer and Premier Elements. The Pods deep-link to contextually relevant tutorials hosted in the Inspiration Browser.

The Inspiration Browser its self is a stand-alone application built on Adobe’s new AIR integrated run-time. The 1.0 version of the Inspiration Browser is a simple tutorial browser which allows users to access both PDF and Flash video tutorial content submitted by Adobe, elements users, and third parties. The cool thing about the Inspiration Browser is that since its built on AIR, it can easily be updated with new features and functionality over time. I obviously can’t mention what those features might be, but rest-assured, they’re cool… ;-)

The Inspiration Browser in its tutotial detail view - Click to Enlarge

Tutorial Detail screen call outs:

  1. Some tutorial content is limited to Elements Member Services Plus subscribers.
  2. The rating widget in this screen reflects the user’s rating
  3. Consistent access to search functionality on left
  4. Add to favorites allows users to save tutorials for later access.
  5. This rating reflects the community rating for the tutorial.

 

Workflow 1 - Authenticate - Click to EnlargeWorkflow 2 - Not authenticated - Click to enlarge

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Thursday
18Dec2008

Photoshop Elements 7: Elements Welcome Screen

DateThursday, December 18, 2008 at 10:45PM | AuthorTrip ODell

Unauthenticated Welcome Screen - Click to enlarge

Screen Callouts:

  1. Users can navigate between informational pods, which are updated dynamically from online. This Allows Adobe to push new content into the Welcome Screen as services change between releases, new tutorial content comes available or creative content is released.
  2. Static application launch buttons for the main application workflows. This helps the user get to what they want to accomplish without knowing exactly where to start.
  3. Dynamic, flash based content allows for a richer, more nuanced application experience.
  4. Authentication pod for existing users to sign in, or for new users to create a services user account.

Elements 7 represented a big first for Adobe. This release was the first time Adobe has offered a “hybrid” application experience: desktop software shipping with integrated hosted services from Photoshop.com.

This new application model presents challenges from a user experience perspective. Where does the user sign in for services? How do I sign up? How do I manage my account? How do I import photos? Where can I find out about new or expanded service offerings? The welcome screen fills all these roles, becoming the single point of entry into the Elements Application experience without requiring the user to exit the application and enter a web browser.

Authenticated Welcome Screen - Click to enlarge

Authenticated Screen State

  1. User can access their online service touch points such as the online organizer, synchronization settings and shared galleries
  2. User can also manage their account settings
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