Let's go beyond pixels and wireframes and ship better software
Be more persuasive, influential, and effective. | Soft Skills for UX DesignersThe Purist: Developer Archetypes
Your design review is going along swimmingly, you think things are going well. Everyone’s nodding and smiling, perhaps chiming in with the occasional improvement, and then suddenly—you see your developer frowning. Next thing you know, seemingly at random, some part of...
Lessons Learned + Goal Setting for the New Year
Now that the New Year's post frenzy has started to calm down, I've decided to add my own to the mix! Just kidding. The fall is been a time for introspection for me, as I think about where I want to take this blog. I still very much believe in this mission, but I have...
Meditations
Several weeks back I received word that a childhood friend has passed way suddenly, in a tragic, very random accident. His loss has left me thinking about every element of my life differently. Here are some of the mantras I've been meditating on as I think about how...
Two new books to make you better (that happen to be about games YAY)
This has been a busy few weeks! I presented my first conference talk at the awesome Midwest UX. (YAY again!) Highly recommended, great conference. It's also been great month (or three??) for reading. Not only did Felicia Day's biography come out on August 11, but...
Pay attention to scope, dammit
Pardon me while I rant a little bit here. But I've seen this situation one too many times: New team sits down. Project sounds great. Everyone is excited. Requirements aren't really clear, or totally defined, but who needs 'em? We're AGILE! Feeling eager, the...
Handling the Heat of Conflict: Part 1
Summer is hot enough without conflict with your colleagues on top of it. No but seriously, I hate summer. Who's ready for fall?!?! Like summer, I would prefer to avoid conflict, if I could. I can't, though. conflict is a natural part of the process of creative...