An insightful look at how to leverage social media in the new economy.
Using Social Media
25 Nov 2012
McMenamins Mobile Site Launched
19 Nov 2012
We worked with McMenamins, and local design shop R/West, to help build out the McMenamins mobile site.
RIP Juan (and Skinny Pete)
16 Nov 2012
Juan was one of our closest friends. He was an important figure across the past three studio locations we’ve resided. Sadly, he’s no more.
While alive, Juan would never have agreed to allow us to share such an intimate moment with the public… but this is how we’ll always remember him. On his death bed, he whispered, “Tell them. No. Show them. Show them what I did. Let them learn from my mistakes.”
We invite you to meet all of our green friends.
Good bye, Juan. :*(
McMenamins Gets Mobile
14 Nov 2012
We started working with McMenamins earlier this year. McMenamins is a unique client in that most of its locations are of historic significance. They buy old, historic buildings and keep all of their unique history intact while converting parts of them to a theater or restaurant or bar or all three. They have more than 50 locations all over the Pacific Northwest. They needed a mobile site that would showcase what all their locations had to offer in terms of food, drink, movies, events, etc. For example, if you were looking for a location with a movie theater, a soaking pool and bike racks that is within 5 miles of your current location, you are in luck. Their new location search page will let you define your criteria to find that information. Whether or not you can actually sit in a soaking pool while watching a movie after locking up your bike isn’t guaranteed.
Fast forward to the present where we have launched McMenamins new mobile site that was designed by R/West, a local design shop, and implemented by your good friends at Planet Argon. It has been a fun and challenging journey for sure.
7 Ways to Annoy Users on Your Web Forms
13 Nov 2012
“What are the most annoying things you encounter when filling out a web form?” was a recent tweet posted by our Chief Evangelist and it got me thinking. Web forms are the one interaction you are most likely forced to deal with more regularly than you’d like; to sign up for that online service, join that social community, or just because completing the goal online is easier than offline. Usually it’s easier to buy that airline ticket online, instead of picking up the phone and calling that surely booking agent. Buying a ticket to that show should be more convenient than standing in a line at the box office. And yet, sometimes the online process can actually make it more complicated, frustrating, or maybe even impossible. Why is that? In many cases, it all comes down to frustrations with the web forms. Prompted by the tweet, we set out to uncover not only the most annoying things you encounter in web forms, but how they can be remedied.
Time to Rethink Password Masking
9 Nov 2012
Luke Wroblewski writes on his blog
Passwords on the Web have long been riddled with usability issues. From overly complex security requirements to difficult to use input fields, passwords frequently result in frustrated customers and lost business. The situation is even worse on mobile where small screens and imprecise fingers are the norm.
I couldn't agree more. With mobile devices, the vast majority of the time the device is being viewed by only one person. Having them suffer through the password masking feature is a UX failure.
Mobile app frameworks should incorporate controls that let the user decide when to have the extra security of password masking.
Google Analytics: Learning to Track Behavior within a Lightbox
6 Nov 2012
I’ve used Google Analytics, like most of you, I’m sure. But to be honest, I’ve always been slightly overwhelmed with it, too. I know there are a lot of analytics options out there, like Chartbeat for real-time, user-friendly information, and Crazyegg for interesting visuals like heatmaps for click-through rates and scrolling patterns. But, despite some hardships, Google Analytics has always felt like that trusty old friend…that one that talks too much. You know the type. The friend that gives just a little too much detail to a story to successfully get the point across (and you’re lucky if you don’t get sidetracked into some sort of tangent).
Don't Let Momentum Define Your Career
1 Nov 2012
I started my career way back in the year 1996, fresh out of college with a Bachelor’s Degree in graphic design. I had spent the past four or so years learning the tools of the trade. Some of these tools were a bit older than others. Computers were starting to come on the scene in desktop publishing in a big way. So, interspersed in my curriculum were classes that represented the old and the new. In one class I might have been hand-lettering the alphabet with brushes and paint while in the other I might have been laying out a magazine-style article with copy and images on a Mac. It was quite the transitional period. However, no matter the technique I was using, be it old or new, the basis for everything was design. I was going to school for graphic design so I fancied myself a designer. It just so happened that design work was now accomplished with a keyboard and a mouse.
Photo by John Altdorfer
Foosball gets spooky
31 Oct 2012
Happy Halloween, boys and ghouls! (I bet you never heard that one before) Go eat lots of candy, and by all means accept baked goods from strangers.
Improving performance with the modern website tune-up
29 Oct 2012
Your website, just like your car, is often due for a bit of maintenance. Fortunately, tuning up your website is less intimidating than that familiar experience of standing next to your vehicle, nodding your head dumbly while handing your mechanic (who, by the way, is much more ruggedly handsome than you) a wad of cash. And that is even less daunting than attempting to work on the car yourself- you’ve tried that before, and you still have nightmares and stained pants.