• Feb162010

    UMS design panel parts 1 & 2

    Posted by Gene in Design, Web Development

    In our recent design panel with Jason Beaird (@jasongraphix) and Molly Oakley(@mollyoakley) on unmatchedstyle.com, we talk about a few things, from current sites to design review processes within their companies to new and interesting techniques they are incorporating into their work.

    In Part 1 above, we talk about Dribbble.com, the new (and still invite-only) social inspiration site.

    In part 2 we talk about the design review process at their companies, then move onto to some new techniques being incorporated into their work. We finish up by focusing a bit on the great font site, fontsquirrel.com.

  • Jan062010

    Episode 31 - UMS Design Review

    Posted by Gene in Design

    It’s been a while, we’ve been busy I promise. Here’s a quick post to try to get back into things. I think you’ll like this one too. It covers an interesting design concept which is using a “special effect” or some other feature that’s “cool” to make people take notice of your website, but how in the end that might actually hurt you since it may not have anything to do with your website’s content.

    This week we talk about three sites, WebMynd, We Bleed Design and ADII Rockstar. In addition to the design, we discuss the usefulness (or detriment) of having visitors come to your site for reasons unrelated to the actual content of your site.

  • May192009

    Top 5 things users want in your website

    Posted by Gene in Design, Usability

    Here is another great blog post talking about what users look for in your website, be it copy or design. This one is from Patrick Neeman on usabilitycounts.com.

    Users want the message to be clear
    Users want context to see if they fit
    Users want consistency
    Users want to be heard without having to shout
    Users don’t want the shiny (unless it’s in context)
    Users want to be guided (without being guided)

    This is all about giving the user what they want expect and not what you the designer or developer think is a cool feature or the way you think it should be done. I’ve had the privilege of taking part in a good amount of real user studies on website’s i’ve worked on in the past, every time it is an eye opening experience and I learn something new about how people use the things I design. I couldn’t recommend more doing a simple usability test on something you are working on. Do it right now, go grab a friend put them behind the site you’re working on ask them to complete a task that is one of the main things the website is supposed to do and watch. Simple as that!

    My absolute favorite part of Patrick’s post is this:

    What does work are sites are are intuitive enough and forward thinking enough to provide a path for the user to go. The elements of user experience should be defined enough so the site acts the way the user thinks it should act i.e. the user shouldn’t have to learn it, especially for consumer facing sites. It’s about predictive user experience.

  • May142009

    Episode 17 - UMS Podcast

    Posted by Gene in Design, Web Development

    This week we talk about two ‘green’ web companies, Studio 7 Designs and EnviraMedia.

  • May052009

    Episode 16 - UMS Design Review Podcast

    Posted by Gene in Design, Usability

    Episode 16 of our podcast is up. It’s all about the details as we talk about ‘designthis’ and ‘Camp Creative Group’:

    This week we focus on Kevin Bryan’s portfolio site, designthis, and the site of Camp Creative Group.

  • Apr202009

    Gene and Jay on the AIGA Web Design Panel

    Posted by Gene in Design, Period Three News

    http://southcarolina.aiga.org

    Come check us out this month, Gene & Jay will be taking part in the AIGA SC chapter’s Web Design Panel.

    Join several South Carolina web design professionals as they discuss how they got into web design, what it takes to make it in the industry, tools of the trade, some of the current trends affecting the industry, and what the future may hold. Moderated discussion with Q&A to follow.

    There’s some really great web designers/developers that we’ll be talking with on the 23rd, I have much respect and admiration for everyone sitting on the panel so it’s going to be really insightful.

    April 23 AIGA SC Web Design Panel will be at USC, McMaster, Rm 214
    5:30 - Social Hour, 6:30 - Panel

    http://southcarolina.aiga.org/events/2009/04/29644238

  • Apr062009

    North Charleston Coliseum Logo Contest is Bunk!

    Posted by Gene in Design, Branding

    I HATE design contests. I hate them because I am a designer and “contests” like this North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center Logo Contest hurt our profession. It hurts it because it means that they do not value the work we do as designers. They don’t even think what we do deserves compensation outside of 2 tickets and a $50 gift certificate, maybe a grand total of $150 (and that’s probably generous on my part.)

    Ask yourself, would you offer a spec contest for legal advice, tax services, computer services, building repair, or any other professional service? No, you wouldn’t. Because their time has value. The same as ours. (taken directly from the NOSPEC contest protest letter.)

    Below are the details of their contest. Hey, it’s 3 logos by the way, not just one. Holy cow! Does the winner also get kicked in he head too?

    North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center Logo Contest

    WHO: The North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center

    WHAT: We need three new logos: one for the Coliseum, one for the Performing Arts Center, and a combined logo for both facilities.

    WHEN: Monday, March 30th-Friday, April 17th (A winner will be announced the week of April 20th.)

    WHERE: Please send all entries to logo@coliseumpac.com

    WHY: We are in need of a fresh, new logo.


    Here’s the link to the full page: http://www.coliseumpac.com/contest.php

    @BlueIon had linked up to a great letter to the North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center, you can read what they posted here. I am sending one myself, i’m going to use the NOSPEC contest protest template, I encourage anyone of you who is a designer to do the same as soon as you can.

    If you are confused about speculative (SPEC) work, here’s a great explanation.

  • Mar232009

    Episode 9 - UMS Design Review Podcast

    Posted by Gene in Design, Web Development

    This week we’re focusing on one site, the excellent nclud.com. We think it’s a really great example of the kind of work more people should be doing.

    We reviewed the nclud site last week on gallery.

  • Feb022009

    Episode 5 - unmatchedstyle video podcast

    Posted by Gene in Design, Blogging

    Check us out, we’re back with another podcast.

    This week we talk about Phusion Passenger (modrails.com), LittleSnapper (realmacsoftware.com/littlesnapper), doejo (doejo.com), and The Resumator (theresumator.com)

  • Jan142009

    UMS: Site Review Podcast, Episode 4

    Posted by Gene in Uncategorized, Design, Blogging

    Check us out this week. We’re back after a long Holiday break.

    This week we talk about ESPN (espn.com), Shannon Moeller (shannonmoeller.com), Giant Creative, (madebygiant.com), and NewGenCoal (newgencoal.com.au). Enjoy!

— Next Page »

Contact

1207 Lincoln Street
Columbia, SC 29201
803.588.9310 Phone
877.415.4259 Fax
info@period-three.com

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Add to Technorati Favorites