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Hospitals, Websites, and Design for Public Spaces
The re-design of our regional hospital’s entrance recently began. This re-design was necessary because the previous design, ironically, made it difficult for sick or disabled people to actually get into the building! This “epic fail” underlines the importance of user-centered design in any public space. Here are a few takeaways for designing for the web:…
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Speak to Show You’re Listening
In crowded airspace, some of the best, most well-considered voices too often stay silent. Why bother adding to the noise? If you’re not willing to join the yelling match, how will your voice ever be heard? You might not have the loudest voice, and might not have access to the biggest loudspeaker, but that doesn’t…
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The Problem of Spring
Spring arrived today. And we never doubted it would come, did we? Because it always comes. And yet, leaning into another bitter North wind in April, it’s easy to lose sight of this expectation. This evening as I walked through a park, listening to a chorus of frogs in a wet field that was deathly…
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The Morning After
This reflection appeared first in my quarterly newsletter. Subscribe at the bottom of the page if you’d like to be in on the next one. Have you poured yourself into any big events lately? Maybe a you gave a presentation, shipped a product, had a big exam, or an important conversation? As creative people, we…
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Your Very First Idea
Your first idea often isn’t the best idea, but it’s easy to get attached. Even if the constraints change, it’s often difficult to scrap that first beloved idea in favour of a new or better one. Michael Bierut, a legendary New York-based graphic designer, shares an experience that’s familiar to many of us. End Tables…
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Everyday Art
“As photographers we always want to travel and go to exotic places. I want to do that, too, but sometimes there is so much magic right in front of you.” – Andre Wagner It’s common to think that creativity happens somewhere else, doing something else. Particularly on those days we stuck in our routine, when…
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Always Have Something to Say
If you want to be a great communicator, it’s important to always have something to say. I learned this the hard way. Many years ago I traveled in Chile with a Christian missionary group. One thing we did a lot was share in church services, and often without a lot of advance warning. One afternoon…
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Invisible
Jared Spool once told us, “Good design, when it’s done well, becomes invisible. It’s only when it’s done poorly that we notice it.” Just like the sound guy goes unnoticed till a mic doesn’t work or feedback screams out of the speakers, a good designer’s work goes unnoticed (except by other designers), precisely because she’s…
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Start Small
The internet is all about connection, and if your website is successful it will do just that. Your site’s main objective is to connect with your customers, and for them to connect with you. If you’re just getting started in creating a web presence, think of your website as a business card. Unless you’re selling…
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Nine Design Lessons From Quartz’ New App
Quartz released their iPhone news app this week! Because of recent design projects, I’ve tried to become a student of other app designs, particularly news apps. This one struck for its unique take on news. Here are some of the takeaways from Quartz’ take on news on the mini screen. Start a conversation. The app…
