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The Illusion of Control in Web Design
We all want to build robust and engaging web experiences. We scrutinize every detail of an interaction. We spend hours getting the animation swing just right. We refactor our JavaScript to shave tiny fractions of a second off load times. We control absolutely everything we can, but the harsh reality is that we control less than we think.
Working with External User Researchers: Part II
In the first installment of the Working with External User Researchers series, we explored the reasons why you might hire a user researcher on contract and helpful things to consider in choosing one. This time, we talk about getting the actual work done.
Going Offline
A note from the editors: We’re excited to share Chapter 1 of Going Offline by Jeremy Keith, available this month from A Book Apart.
Planning for Everything
A note from the editors: We’re pleased to share an excerpt from Chapter 7 (“Reflecting”) of Planning for Everything: The Design of Paths and Goals by Peter Morville, available now from Semantic Studios.
Meeting Design
A note from the editors: We’re pleased to share an excerpt from Chapter 2 (“The Design Constraint of All Meetings”) of Meeting Design: For Managers, Makers, and Everyone by Kevin Hoffman, available now from Two Waves.
Designing for Research
If you’ve spent enough time developing for the web, this piece of feedback has landed in your inbox since time immemorial:
“This photo looks blurry. Can we replace it with a better version?”
Every time this feedback reaches me, I’m inclined to question it: “What about the photo looks bad to you, and can you tell me why?”
Conversational Design
A note from the editors: We’re pleased to share an excerpt from Chapter 1 of Erika Hall’s new book, Conversational Design, available now from A Book Apart.
Texting is how we talk now. We talk by tapping tiny messages on touchscreens—we message using SMS via mobile data networks, or through apps like Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp.
A DIY Web Accessibility Blueprint
The summer of 2017 marked a monumental victory for the millions of Americans living with a disability.
We Write CSS Like We Did in the 90s, and Yes, It’s Silly
As web developers, we marvel at technology. We enjoy the many tools that help with our work: multipurpose editors, frameworks, libraries, polyfills and shims, content management systems, preprocessors, build and deployment tools, development consoles, production monitors—the list goes on.
Owning the Role of the Front-End Developer
When I started working as a web developer in 2009, I spent most of my time crafting HTML/CSS layouts from design comps. My work was the final step of a linear process in which designers, clients, and other stakeholders made virtually all of the decisions.
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Social Fever
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