Archive for the ‘design’ Category

Tablet Computer, Where Art Thou?

by Lenny Laurier
December 18, 2009
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Magazines - Tablet Computing

Magazines companies are taking a preemptive strike at building an interactive magazine prototype for tablet computing. As you already know, the publishing industry smells trouble. As content continually migrates from the paper pages to the Internet, magazines and newspapers subscriptions are facing extinction. Profits are dwindling as people trade the paper medium for the free web version of the content. Why pay for it when you can get it for free, right? Although sometimes, I think we forget that nothing in this life is free. Someone always flips the bill. So if we don’t start paying for it, eventually people will stop producing it (unless your idea premium content is amateur shorts on YouTube).

Magazines and newspapers such as Sports Illustrated, WIRED, and the New York Times, are already banking on tablets coming in and saving the day. They believe that this mysterious hero will provide a new avenue to explore magazines in different and exciting ways. Sports Illustrated has already a working prototype of their interactive magazine. It allows you to customize your experience: organize content the way you would like; watch embedded video clips; browse through their photography section; and much more. Since actions speak louder than words, the video below would probably give you a better idea.

The New York Times has been playing with different way to absorb content. As you might already know, you can get a copy of the New York Times automatically download to your Amazon Kindle. Don’t have a Kindle? Well you can try out either the Times Skimmer, or the Times Reader. These two products allow you to consume the news in a different layout. Times Skimmer is web based and presents various articles in a table, making it easy to skim through the headlines that catch your attention. On the other hand, the Times Reader sits on your computer, and the new addition is instantly delivered to your computer… for a small subscription fee of course (those who already subscribe to the New York Times can get this service for free). WIRED also has a prototype which was previewed at the WIRED store.

Interactive magazines also have the potential of bringing in new advertising revenue stream, giving the advertiser space to add interactive content to their advertisements. The addition of interactive elements allows magazines to demand more money for this type of engagement with the consumer. Also, the ability to download new issues to your tablet (instead of waiting for it in the mail), and the increased content interaction, may be enough to get consumers to purchase a subscription.

Personally, I can’t wait for the tablet computer market to boom. I want one, and I want it now! I love reading magazines, and reading one on a tablet computer would be even better. A great combination of high quality imagery, carefully selected typography, and superbly written articles always makes it a joyous experience, and brings the story to life page by page.

Category design, technology Tags ,

Hey Google, Where Did Your Options Go?!?

by Lenny Laurier
December 4, 2009
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6

2009-12-04_google

I don’t know if you’ve been to Google’s homepage lately… Okay, let me rephrase that. I don’t know if you have noticed, but Google’s homepage looks a little… umm… bare. You’re probably accustomed to seeing the logo, the search box, the two buttons (“Google Search”, and “I’m Feeling Lucky”), and of course the other options across the top and bottom. Although, and you may have not paid much attention to this, but there is something different when you go there now. The options are missing!!!

It seems like Google has taken a minimalist approach, by getting rid of the distractions, and getting down to what you really came there to do – search! But what about the options? What if I came to search images, or get quick access to my gmail, what do I do now? Well do not fret, all is not lost. With a gentle move of your mouse, the missing options fade in all it’s option glory. It’s a small change, and maybe not a big deal, but it’s one I’m all for.

Google has streamlined your search experience, removing the clutter, and allowing you to focus on searching. Once you hit the site, the cursor is ready, blinking in the search field awaiting your key strokes. If you haven’t seen (or noticed) it already, try it out. It’s a little thing that makes a big difference.

Category design Tags ,

A Touch of Stripes

by Lenny Laurier
November 17, 2009
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0

Stripes

From this year’s fashion trend, to the wallpaper your parents had in the 60s, stripes are back and better than ever. Although the kind of stripes I’m talking about are the one’s used in website design.

Stripes are an excellent accent to any website. Now, let’s not crazy here and have stripes that look like Joseph’s techno-colour dream coat. That will just turn people away, and we wouldn’t want that, now would we. Instead, use it to differentiate your buttons; add character to your page headings; or add sharpness to that solid background. The key here is to make sure that the stripes are not intrusive. You want it to be cool, adding a touch of class, instead of begging for the viewers intention.

Here are a few examples of modern ways to use stripes in your design:





To make life easier, here is a helpful Stripe Generator to take fright out of creating stripes.

So stripes are in, and that’s that. Let’s not dispute it or debate it (or not, it’s really up to you). Let’s just decide to embrace it, or stand aside while this bold design element passes you by. But why use stripes? Well, just like your father use to tell you: ‘because I said so’. Besides, isn’t that’s how trends get started anyways?

Category design Tags ,