Web Design | kenn bivins

https://kennbivins.com creative thinker and do-er Tue, 11 Apr 2017 12:47:49 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 How Our Design Process Evolved In The Past 10 Years https://kennbivins.com/how-the-design-process-has-evolved/ https://kennbivins.com/how-the-design-process-has-evolved/#respond Tue, 11 Apr 2017 12:47:49 +0000 https://byra.vamtam.com/?p=11947 People rarely ask designers if they work in “print or web” anymore, a question that used to be the norm. These days a product manager design falls under two big umbrellas: screen design, and designing for off screen. Where inputs used to almost always be a keyboard and mouse, today’s designers have so many new...

The post How Our Design Process Evolved In The Past 10 Years first appeared on kenn bivins.

]]>

People rarely ask designers if they work in “print or web” anymore, a question that used to be the norm. These days a product manager design falls under two big umbrellas: screen design, and designing for off screen.

Where inputs used to almost always be a keyboard and mouse, today’s designers have so many new technologies and tools at their disposal that interaction design is no longer constrained by the dimensions of a screen or the click of a mouse. We’re wearing designs now, activating them by using our voices, and getting immersed in their augmented and artificial realities.

It’s no surprise then that the design process itself has also evolved, and so too have the opportunities for designers.

1. Designer Specialties Have Changed

The first big shift is in the nature of a designer’s role. As designing for digital became more popular, designers began to specialize in certain aspects of the design process to align with different design milestones including wire framing, prototyping, visual design, interaction design and so on. Now, many of these specialties have merged into one and the process has become less segmented.

This has allowed designers to go from quick high-fidelity designs to a final design product in less iterations and time. Things like research, mood boarding and wire framing have merged into one step, so too has the visual design process including interaction and prototyping. In turn, this has influenced the very nature of a designer’s role and the responsibilities each designer has.

2. Screen Design is the New Print Design

Designing for screens is the new normal, and designing for off the screen is the future. There are so many new domains where the products designers are designing don’t necessarily have a traditional interface, instead using human components like touch and voice to interact with designs. This has presented new challenges for designers and the design process.

Even the way designers prototype has had to shift. If you are designing a concept for an iPad, for example, it’s no longer sufficient to show a mockup of the concept on paper. Clients want to see the interaction in motion. They want to feel and touch it before it’s built.

3. New Tools to Streamline the Process

Just as the design process has influenced the designer’s role, this in turn has also influenced the tools in which designers use. It used to be very clear which products were for which parts of the design process, but now designers want a more holistic approach to a full design system.

4. Pros and Cons of New Design Processes

In addition to being a faster, more iterative design process, having a single designer own more parts of the design process can create a more unified output, one that tells a more cohesive story. This can bring increased integrity to a design because there aren’t as many hands in the pot, so to speak, so fewer designers are leaving their personal mark on the design.

Unfortunately though, this also means designers are working more in isolation in the sense that there is often less direct communication. This has created a bit of a silo effect in some organizations.

It’s also created a need for more tools for designers to communicate design decisions. Tools such as Slack and similar platforms have helped designers “get feedback in the browser” from team members and stakeholders. The need for these tools has become imperative to the design process, yet they are also born as a result of the fact that the design process has changed.

It’s a domino effect that is actually quite cyclical in the way these different components of the design process influence one another.

5. Adaption is the Key to a Designer’s Success

With all these new processes and technologies, it can be overwhelming for an aspiring designer to figure out not only where to start, but also where (s)he fits in. Don’t worry though. Most tools can be learned with enough work and experience.

One of the most important skills you need to have as a designer for today’s challenges is the ability to adapt and the ability to be able to learn to understand the domain if you are not familiar with it.

The best way to do this is to fully experience the design process from ideation to product shipment, either via an internship or an opportunity at a company that values the design process.

6. Discover Your Own Golden Formula

Experiencing the design process is just one half of each designer’s individual golden formula. The second is conducting a personal evaluation of what your interests and passions are. What type of design do you want to do? What are your goals?

It’s a refreshing take. With so many tools, technologies and different design jobs out there, it’s important for young and seasoned designers alike to remember that you have a say in the path you take and the tools you choose to embrace.

If this resonates with you it might be time to revisit step one of the design process by hitting the drawing board. How can today’s design processes help you to achieve your dreams?

The post How Our Design Process Evolved In The Past 10 Years first appeared on kenn bivins.

]]> https://kennbivins.com/how-the-design-process-has-evolved/feed/ 0 Designing For Smartwatches: Tips and Tricks https://kennbivins.com/designing-for-smartwatches/ https://kennbivins.com/designing-for-smartwatches/#respond Mon, 01 Sep 2014 16:39:51 +0000 https://byra.vamtam.com/?p=6748 Wearables present challenges unlike other design projects. Function is a primary concern, as is size with what will be one of the smallest screens designers have ever worked with. The key is creating a design that is visually pleasing but is user-friendly and provides a functional experience. Here are 10 things to consider as you...

The post Designing For Smartwatches: Tips and Tricks first appeared on kenn bivins.

]]>

Wearables present challenges unlike other design projects. Function is a primary concern, as is size with what will be one of the smallest screens designers have ever worked with. The key is creating a design that is visually pleasing but is user-friendly and provides a functional experience. Here are 10 things to consider as you design for a wearable interface (with examples other designers are already imagining).

Think Minimal Design

One of the biggest trends in design in general is perfect for wearables – minimalism. The very same design practices you use for websites or even minimal-style print or packaging design are perfect for wearable and watch-type devices. (Here we are mostly talking about watches because of the visual design element they present.)

Everything from color to typography to imagery should be simple, straightforward and easy to read at small sizes. Use some of the concepts from flat design as well to add to the minimal style, such as bright color, high contrast and elimination of design embellishments.

Use Vibration

Wearables come with features that you may not have designed for in the past. Vibration is one of these. Simple buzz or movements can be an ideal way to design an interaction when it comes to something that a user will have against the skin.

But you need to think carefully about how these interactions work. Vibrations should be soft and happen in a way that is obvious but will not be uncomfortable or scare the user when they happen. Vibration-style interactions also need to happen infrequently. If a watch buzzes every minute, the user will quickly become frustrated and abandon the product.

Voice Controls are Essential

While we have talked about designing for tap and touch interaction for a while because of smartphones, now the conversation will shift to voice activated controls. Think about it this way, with a screen that small, who is going to want to tap it? Voice is easier.

When designing the interactions of your app or website that will appear on a watch-style device, such as the Apple Watch, voice should be a top consideration. Voice is an essential part of the Apple design, for example, with Siri as a native app that activates and waits for a command every time you raise your wrist. This feature provides a convenience factor that you must take into consideration.

Type Needs to be Simple

Repeat after me: Sans serif. When it comes to type on wearable devices, that is all you need to know. It may sound boring, but a simple sans serif with a uniform stroke width is one of the easiest and most readable options.

Avoid typefaces that are ultra light or condensed because the light coming through the watch face may not be enough to ensure readability. Conversely, be careful with super thick, black or bold styles. Stick to a typeface with a moderate stroke with and somewhat wide letterforms. (Helvetica is an ideal, albeit overused, option.)

Colors Need to Have High Contrast

Every color on a small screen needs meaning. Part of this meaning will come in the form of contrast and making elements easier to read.

Colors can be used to represent tappable elements that demand interaction or as a backdrop for a text command. The key is sharp contrast. Consider the environment in which these devices will be used – in sunlight, in dark rooms – and design so that every letter is easy to read in any condition.

Avoid pastels or colors with low saturation. Bright hues and highly saturated colors will work best. Pair these with white or black type for optimum readability.

Make It Easy

Every wearable device will be a little different. Consider the interface and physical components for each as you design. The Apple Watch comes with a “digital crown,” a wheel that can zoom or scroll through information on the screen.

The design should work with all the physical parts that a device includes. It should be easy to look at and more importantly easy to use. Function should be intuitive.

Visuals Should Mirror Design In Other Places

The visual plan for a watch screen should mirror the design interface of other devices. Yes, the screen will be limited and interactions will focus on a single action, but the overall aesthetic should have a similar look and feel.

It goes back to the popularity of minimalistic design. It’s a technique that works on both types of devices. The same is true with many principles of flat design. For this reason, these trends will continue to stick around and become key factors for designers creating for these tiny screens.

Make It Cool and Trendy

This may not sound like a big deal, but wearables are something that users connect to their identities. Not only does the actual device need to have a certain look and feel, but the interface needs to match that style.

The information on the screen has to be as nice as the device itself. With the Apple Watch, the interface is super-simple, has clean lines and very few bells and whistles. The interface for watch apps should use the same model, so that the information on the screen looks like it actually belongs there.

One Visual Thought Per Screen

Every pixel matters in a way that is hard to explain. There just is not enough room on a watch-sized screen to include every element from a desktop or mobile design. So think about what you don’t need.

These screens can range in size from 320 pixels square to 128 pixels square. This is too small to just shrink the design; you have to fully change it for a wearable device. Use this concept: One visual thought per screen.

The post Designing For Smartwatches: Tips and Tricks first appeared on kenn bivins.

]]> https://kennbivins.com/designing-for-smartwatches/feed/ 0 Contemporary Art Installations – Circa 1920 https://kennbivins.com/contemporary-art-installations/ https://kennbivins.com/contemporary-art-installations/#respond Sat, 22 Mar 2014 20:56:53 +0000 https://byra.vamtam.com/?p=300 Robbie Williams will go head-to-head with Olympic athlete Usain Bolt at the 2018 Soccer Aid charity game. The Rock DJ singer will serve as the captain of the England team, while Olympic sprinter Bolt will head up the World squad in the latest edition of the charity tournament, which Robbie co-founded in 2006. "I am...

The post Contemporary Art Installations – Circa 1920 first appeared on kenn bivins.

]]>

Robbie Williams will go head-to-head with Olympic athlete Usain Bolt at the 2018 Soccer Aid charity game.

The Rock DJ singer will serve as the captain of the England team, while Olympic sprinter Bolt will head up the World squad in the latest edition of the charity tournament, which Robbie co-founded in 2006. "I am buzzing that Soccer Aid for Unicef is back," Robbie said in a statement. "Reclaiming the title for England this year is going to taste so much sweeter with Usain leading the Soccer Aid World XI. I can't wait to lead out the England team on Sunday 10th June at Old Trafford in what really is a game like no other. With your support, we will help children in danger around the world." Retired athletics star Bolt, who will be playing his first official soccer match, said his team will be unbeatable and that he already has a special celebration planned for when he scores.
"It is my dream to make it as a professional footballer, so to be able to step out onto the pitch at Old Trafford in June, and play against some of football's biggest legends is going to be remarkable," he said. "I enjoy the thrill of competition in front of a crowd, so Robbie and his England team better watch out as I won’t be going easy on them!"

Robbie and Usain, who have recorded an advert for the competition, will be joined by celebrities and soccer legends which have yet to be announced.

The match will take place at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England on 10 June (18) and will be broadcast live on ITV in the U.K. All profits from ticket sales and viewer donations will be given to United Nations Childrens' Fund (UNICEF) UK, for which Robbie serves as an ambassador.

The post Contemporary Art Installations – Circa 1920 first appeared on kenn bivins.

]]> https://kennbivins.com/contemporary-art-installations/feed/ 0 Tips And Tricks To Solve Common SEO Problems https://kennbivins.com/tips-and-tricks-to-solve-common-seo-problems/ https://kennbivins.com/tips-and-tricks-to-solve-common-seo-problems/#respond Mon, 10 Mar 2014 19:55:11 +0000 https://byra.vamtam.com/?p=294 If you want your businesses to see a boost in sales or to give your brand a better position in its market, maximizing your digital marketing campaign is one great way to go. After all, businesses can pull a higher ROI from their cheap blogging and social media activities than they can pull from a...

The post Tips And Tricks To Solve Common SEO Problems first appeared on kenn bivins.

]]>

If you want your businesses to see a boost in sales or to give your brand a better position in its market, maximizing your digital marketing campaign is one great way to go.

After all, businesses can pull a higher ROI from their cheap blogging and social media activities than they can pull from a big ad-buy campaign.

No doubt, SEO plays a significant role in this.

To become more competitive (in terms of getting a higher share of the target audience), more focus must be put on improving the online visibility of your properties through search engines such as Google.

According to a 2018 report by HubSpot, at least 61% of marketers say that “improving SEO and growing organic presence” is a top priority in their inbound marketing campaigns.

For this, it’s vital that businesses be able to drive better results using the right strategies. Noting the impact it provides, it’s safe to say that SEO can be a powerful channel for driving revenue and business expansion.

But just like other digital marketing channels, SEO has its own range of problems to deal with. If you want to get ahead of the competition, it is crucial to identify and resolve these seo problems early on.

Using the right approaches, you can prevent common SEO problems from damaging your online efforts.

Let’s look at some of these problems and the practical ways you can do to resolve them.

404 Errors

Nothing turns off a site visitor more than clicking a link only to be redirected to a page with the number 404 plastered over it. Indeed, 404 errors are a bane to brands that want to build a strong online presence. These errors can increase bounce rates significantly and, as a result, diminish your search rank.

Fortunately, just like the common cold, a 404 error can easily be treated. First thing you need to do is to list down all the broken links you have in your website by testing the pages in your navigation menu.

Once you have identified the affected destinations, you can now update these broken links. For best results, you can perform a thorough site audit yourself, or you can save time by hiring an SEO consultant to do it for you. Not only will you be able to locate broken links, but you can also identify other SEO-related issues as well.

The simplest trick in this case is to change the URLs of the affected links so they can direct users to a relevant landing page. On the other hand, if you’re using WordPress with Yoast as a plug-in, you can update your links automatically through 301 redirects.

Missing Alt Image Tags

Nowadays, it is recommended that businesses include images in their blog content. Some, however, just place an image while overlooking the alt attributes.

Visuals provide greater value for businesses that want to educate and influence their audiences. The lack of alt attributes such as meta-tags and titles can diminish the value of your content.

After all, alt attributes provide context to your content. Other than that, alt attributes can also give your products and services even greater visibility on Google image search results.

Solving image tags is easy. If you’re using WordPress, you simply browse through your image gallery and manually enter the data you required on each image. Make sure to use the title of the corresponding blog article as the title of the image.

It can be a time consuming process, but it’s worth it!

Unoptimized Content

Over the years, Google has updated its algorithms to provide search visitors with the best experience. Value is important, and Google is making sure that vendors with a considerable presence online can help audiences find what they are looking for.

For this reason, Google has become a lot stricter, requiring businesses to focus more on creating value for their audiences and penalizing anyone still trying black hat operations.

If your SEO efforts are not doing well in terms of generating higher organic traffic, then there’s something in your content that Google doesn’t like. Performing a full content audit can help you identify website issues that are pulling your site ranking down the drain.

Once you have done a content audit, it’s only a matter of making sure that the content you churn out:

is between 500 to 1,000 words;
has images with their proper alt attributes;
makes proper use of H1 and H2 tags;
contains both outbound and inbound links to relevant landing pages; and
is readable and has the right keywords that people are looking for.

A good rule of thumb here is to consider providing value to your audience and making sure that what they read on your website can help them decide whether to buy something from you.

The post Tips And Tricks To Solve Common SEO Problems first appeared on kenn bivins.

]]> https://kennbivins.com/tips-and-tricks-to-solve-common-seo-problems/feed/ 0