Something Adorable
It’s happened again—I’ve found an intriguing and pleasant surprise in my lunch. I truly wasn’t looking for this. That would just be too nerdy.
Since that lunch, I’ve had this sitting on my desk. Every single person who sees it has exclaimed over its adorableness. Even guys! That has to mean something. Right?
(more…)
Add comment May 11, 2012 Diane
Photos of Typography in the Wild
Bob, our resident magician, is also a photographer and has posted an interesting series of shots on his Facebook page.
Here are a few samples of his photos:
(more…)
Add comment April 30, 2012 Diane
Usability and Web-based Applications
It seems like everyone and their dogs are rushing to put “applications” on the web. I think this is for two reasons. First, it’s a natural evolution from using static web pages (Web 1.0), to using ajax to make the Web behave more like software (Web 2.0), to using the Internet to “be” software.
Second, using a web browser as the user interface looks like an attractive solution to the problem of designing effective user interfaces, because everyone knows how to use a browser. But web browsers have limitations. And designing effective software interfaces is not a simple task.
(more…)
Add comment April 13, 2012 bob
Of Gardeners and Geeks
People have looked at me oddly when I mentioned that people in Korea have used sausages on a stick to use their iPhones. Especially when I add that this Korean snack food had a jump in sales once the word got around that it could be used this way.
(more…)
Add comment April 6, 2012 Diane
What is a design system?
Often in our work we are asked for things that sound simple, but in fact aren’t.
(Or would be simple, but wouldn’t be a truly good solution.) And many of those challenges relate to design systems, and whether or not the client has one, or even thinks they need one.
A solid design system gives you the visual building blocks needed for building your messaging and brand with consistent identity and tone.
(more…)
1 comment March 16, 2012 Noel Henneman
Ode to the HB Popcorn Maker
Of all the many pieces of office equipment that have been purchased in my five years of employment here,
I have to confess that the popcorn maker is truly the best!
Add comment March 8, 2012 Liana
iPhone Stylus
I ordered a stylus for my iPad, because I wanted a pen that would allow me sketch on my iPad with an app I’d downloaded. I couldn’t remember the brand of stylus I’d read about, and that was my mistake—because I ordered something different from what I was expecting. It was also a happy accident—because I solved a different problem.
1 comment March 2, 2012 Diane
Stay With It
HB Design recently designed the identity system and marketing materials for a national pilot program that targets engineering students.
STAY WITH IT was developed alongside the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness to interest, engage, and motivate engineering students to stay in college, obtain their degree, and use the vast network provided by this program.
(more…)
Add comment February 20, 2012 Cindy
Bambi Meets Godzilla
I have been experimenting with modeling clay. It started when I got a small box of modeling clay as a gift at a trade show. It made me smile, so I brought it to work. Then, I signed up for a webinar that began by reviewing basic information that I already knew. I wanted to hear the topics that would follow, so I opened the modeling clay to pass the time during the review. By the end of the review, I had created a tiny snake, an apple, a rose, a bluebird, and a giraffe. Five colors. Five objects.
I’d had so much fun that I thought about some other modeling clay that I had at home and wondered what I might do with it.
(more…)
1 comment February 13, 2012 Diane
Insightful Experience
Back in November, I had the pleasure of attending the HOW Interactive Conference in San Francisco. It was exciting, inspirational, and educational. This was the first conference I ever attended in my career. It was the first HOW interactive conference ever, so I felt like my attendance there was meant to be.
For the better part of my career, my main focus has been on print work. As my career has progressed, so has the age of digital design. Like many designers, postponing the embrace of digital design was something that could not be ignored. So I was delighted when I sat down in the opening session of HOW Interactive (#HOWidc) to hear the speaker say “We have all come from print and now we must move into digital… stop saying it’s all about technology: design does not mean code.” You could almost hear a sigh of relief from the audience. Excited and a bit nervous, I wondered if I was going to understand what they were saying? Would they be diving into a coding language that I couldn’t translate? Heck no!
The panel of speakers presenting were impressive and dynamic. They spoke the spectrum: user experience, content, information architecture and non-desktop design. And believe it or not, I knew what they were speaking about. It was such a delight.
With a fresh insight on this platform in design, I have found myself following more blogs, participating on Twitter, and sharing the knowledge that I have gained with my studio when I can, in hopes that we can use the knowledge to advance our services. I recommend this conference highly. If you find yourself interested in my review, don’t just take my word; you can view the conference sessions in full on Design TV.
“How can designers help people? They ‘make use’ of information.” David Sherwin
Add comment February 6, 2012 Cindy