made you look

on my way back from a meeting this morning, I noticed one of those bench signs that said (in big bold yellow letters), "SEE YOU LOOKED! BENCH ADVERTISING DOES WORK!"

I sincerely hope no one is fooled by this. we all know that there's a huge difference between merely getting someone's attention and clearly articulating a message, don't we?

I remember riding in the car once when I was very young -- I saw a balloon floating in the sky that was attached to a long string decorated with multi-colored, triangular shaped flags. it had to be at least one hundred feet in the air. when the car finally got close to the base of the balloon, it was a car dealership.

'a car dealership?' I thought. 'what do balloons have to do with selling cars?'

so, I asked [whomever was driving] why a car dealership would do this? it has nothing to do with all the books I'd read on advertising approaches. just kidding, I was probably only eight years old or so.

the answer I was given was, "to get your attention." and it worked. so its a successful means of advertising, right?

wrong.
this balloon only confused me. it said nothing about their company, how they're different from the next car dealership, or even what their profession is. this, in many ways, is probably worse than going unnoticed. in the consumer's mind is now ambiguity (which does not lead to inquiry) rather than surety or simply not knowing the company exists. how can one believe it is good in any way to first mislead someone before asking for a business relationship? I thought the balloon meant there was a circus in town and then I'm disappointed by this stale, lame car dealership?

its as if so many of us are begging for the attention drug in any possible form that we'd do anything to get it.


is that intelligent?

you have got to be kidding me.

T-Mobile's G1 with Google Android

T-Mobile's G1 was released earlier this week. This is the first product I've ever purchased the first day it was released; I'm not much of an early adopter (1st runner-up is my last phone, the T-Mobile MDA, which I purchased only a week after it was released).

When I first learned of Google Android, an open-sourced operating system for handheld devices, I was very excited but at the same time a bit disappointed because some of the things I saw regarding the interactive maps ran circles around my thesis. I quickly got over that once I realized I'm no match to Google's Research + Development Team anyway -- "if you can't beat em, join em" one of my goals.

So its been about four days since I've had the phone. I must say, I am a bit disappointed and considering sending it back. A few minutes ago I got an email from T-Mobile asking me to fill out a survey "regarding your experience with your new T-Mobile G1 with Google phone."

Apparently, they have no idea how passionate I am about this subject.

One of the questions asked me to rate how satisfied I am with my device; I answered "somewhat dissatisfied" (a step up from the lowest, "extremely dissatisfied"). The next question asked, "Why are you "somewhat dissatisfied?""

My response:

I've found there are some design flaws that need attention.

The hardware (specifically the covers over the microSD card and USB/headphone connectors) seem a bit flimsy, like they will break off in a few months or so. They also tend to get in the way when I'm trying to use these slots.

The interface isn't very intuitive; it could benefit from more user testing. Why is it so difficult to turn GPS on or off? Menu: Settings>Security & location (the description of this menu option does not mention GPS).

Why is it so difficult to add a contact from someone who sent me a text message? I practically have to outsmart the smart-phone.

Why, if I see something on the screen (ie time, battery icon, Bluetooth logo, etc) am I not allowed to click, or touch, it and be given options pertaining to what I clicked? I mean, this is a touch screen, right?

And let's set aside all the complaints bloggers have been making about the difficulty in transferring contacts from MS Outlook (you don't really think I'm going to manually type in +300 contacts, do you?). My biggest frustration (being a former Windows Mobile owner) and possibly the deal-breaker is the fact that this phone does not allow the user to copy+paste. So many times have I been on the internet and saw part of an article and sent it as a text message to a colleague. Or saved part of an email in the notes of an appointment.

I use my phone primarily for business -- am I outside of your target audience?

Busta Rhymes said it best when he spoke of how much he loves
what he does in his song Genesis (00:54 – 1:24)

"...I'ma die tryin for y'all
With the blessing of an angel's tear cryin' for y'all
Back to the foundation, takin you under back where it all started
With a whole new beginnin and a brand new hunger
Starvin to where my skin was suffocatin my ribs
Now we got bitches interior decoratin my crib
Touch the love I got like you holdin my heart in your hand
And watch my manifesto, shit was all a part of the plan
The fashion that I choose to deal with this shit
Sometimes it's so hard to describe the passion that I feel for this shit
How many struggles I survived just to eat this meal
Never thought y'all meet a nigga that could be this real."


You probably don't understand the passion I feel for this. If not, you certainly won't understand why I was so excited to get this phone. I've been an avid fan of Google, Google Maps, interactive maps, and handheld devices for the last three years (borderline obsession) -- I thought this phone would boost me into the next dimension. It didn't.

Maybe I'll try to patch things up between MDA & I; she's all I really needed. I'm wondering if I should've never left her. Although she could've moved on to someone who really appreciates her,
if she understands me, she'll take me back.

"Chillin wit ya girl while ya thinkin bout ya ex."
- from the song Dr. Knockboot by Nas (01:47 – 1:49)

Okay this was supposed to be a desigNERD blog but now I'm just clownin so I'm out.

Obama's iPhone app organizes contacts by battleground states.

I don't have time to write about this, but it really reinforces what I wrote about Obama's campaign before.

read the USAToday.com article

mother nature on pms

can you hear me now? good.

it feels as though much of my time as a graduate student has been spent making the case for design as it pertains to technology in people's lives and its usefulness. everywhere I turn I see these tech-nos who despise the idea of technology assisting our lives (either that or they're just too cheap/broke to afford it).

whatever.

much of columbus' electricity was out for the last two and a half days because of hurricane ike. that's right, a hurricane put the power out in ohio (technology would never do this to us - mother nature, on the other hand...)

at any rate, I thought I was going to go insane. beyond the television and internet, I couldn't see the toilet after 9pm without risking burning down the complex. I couldn't shave before work or take a hot shower in the apartment I pay for (somehow the gas was off too).

and this is what the tech-nos want? fine. knock yourselves out. I'll stick with my sinful cellphone battery charger to call for help during an emergency while you feel the merciless wrath of mother nature on pms.

food for thought: was God punishing Ohio for re-electing GW Bush and voting for Hillary?

metrics: the boring part

In this blog I will share with you a way to gauge the effectiveness of advertising. For those of you who have never utilized Facebook's advertising, it will provide some behind-the-scenes insight as to what tools you are given as an advertiser.

These examples are very small but are indicative of other ad campaigns I am currently running.

CHARTS.
Many people cringe at the thought. They are the driving force behind marketing departments and the sum of all fears for abstract expressionists. In this case, they represent hard facts (forensic evidence, if you will) verifying or disproving the validity of your colorful and cute website with countless hours spent on usability testing and typographic grid structure layouts. They are also, where creativity meets logic, art meets science, and design meets reason [shameless self-promotion].



The image above shows data on a Facebook advertising campaign for the African American Alumni Reunion. This accurate, albeit small-scale, example provides insight on the expected effectiveness of an advertising campaign.



What I find particularly interesting is the fact that the ad that I thought would draw the most interest didn't while the ad [shown above] with an image that is not easily recognizable at such a small size is garnering the most responses. The copy is pretty much identical, the major difference is the image.


If you're like me, you've noticed the keywords listed under Targeting. You'll have to excuse the stereotypes: Facebook won't allow advertising to specific ethnic groups, therefore, I had to use keywords that [I thought] would align with the interests of the target audience's.


While the keywords are much more extensive, the success of the campaign is less than the previous.
[note: the ad above adds one word: "celebrate" — a call-to-action which did not seem to hold much weight]
This ad is the one I thought would garner the most responses [percentage wise] but didn't. My theory [yet to be tested] is that this ad is less effective due to the fact that the more effective ad shows actual people rather than a juxtaposition of stock images.

Although this idea of Metrics is never absolute - that is, there are plenty of factors that must be considered besides (in this case) changing the image - it is always interesting to observe.

its always the little things

being the full-fledged nerd that I am (eg: one morning not too long ago, I got excited when I tied a windsor knot correctly on the first try. it was then that I began to examine my social disposition), I find joy in some of the strangest things; things regular, non-geek people would be completely indifferent to.

since I've decided my thesis would be more effective if presented in an interactive environment, this morning I purchased the domain mfaDesignThesis.com. I decided not to simply redirect to my now two year old (and rather out-dated) portfolio site DesignAndReason.com like I did with MTStanford.com.

"enough plugging already, get to the point of this blog so we can get on with our lives."

in creating the layout for the "coming soon" page (that I've always advised others against) I decided to try and make an animated favicon.

I bought the domain at about 10:00 this morning.

It's 10:44pm and I just got it up.

(that's what she said)

Anyhow, there aren't enough adjectives to accurately describe the nerdy, cornball feeling of excitement that followed this hallmark achievement. It was the binary equivalent of an orgasm coupled with embarrassment stemming from the fact that there's no hope for me ever being cool. In my struggle to educate and enlighten myself, I've completely lost sight of being hip (or even normal, for that matter).

mtstanford.com

A shorter, easier to remember domain name: MTStanford.com is now live. Its not much of an advance, as it merely redirects to DesignAndReason.com, but its much easier to tell someone "MTStanford Dot Com" rather than having to repeat it multiple times and wait while the not-so-tech-savvy try typing the name correctly ("okay... 'Design And Reason Dot Com' Let's see... D [click] E [click] S [click] I [click] G [click] N [click]... Design And What?").

Plus its easier to fit on a business card.

By the way, the redesign will be done soon. I need a developer who loves to figure things out and has a bunch of time on their hands. I am none of the above.

Zeemote wireless controller for mobile phones

April 9, 2008

The US$38 billion video gaming market thrives due to innovative input devices and one of the most interesting new additions is the Zeemote JS1 - a wireless controller that enables what the developers claim is near-console game play on mobile phones. Created by the team that developed the first force feedback joystick for PC gaming, the Zeemote controller fell into the hands of Dave Weinstein at CTIA and Dave reports the new phone peripheral is responsive, ergonomic and functional and just might help us past trying to game comfortably on a phone using controls designed for some other purpose.

Measuring 95 x 35 x 20 mm (3.7 x 1.4 x 0.8 inches) and weighing only 47g (1.7 ounces) including batteries, the Zeemote JS1 fits in the palm of the hand and is very comfortable. With a thumbstick and four assignable trigger buttons, the JS1 controller offers real analog control enabling users to truly engage with mobile games.

The company is already in discussions with a number of operators and manufacturers regarding bundling the controller with games and handsets.”

Developers and publishers such as Eidos, Finblade, Fishlabs and SEGA have already adapted popular games such as Lara Croft Tomb Raider, Helistrike 3D and Sonic The Hedgehog to use the new technology. Finblade has even created Fireworks, the first 2-player game specifically designed for use with Zeemote JS1 controllers.

Cell Phones & Society

[1]
Convenience: The “Smart” Phone
Recent findings from a British study show storing contact information on cell phones decreases people’s ability (while reducing the need) to remember telephone numbers. Moreover, nearly one-quarter of the survey’s participants could not remember their own telephone number. While today’s advanced cell phones, also called Smart Phones, can allow time for us to prepare and focus on arguably more important issues by eliminating the need to retain or recall seemingly less important details (such as the correct spelling of colleagues’ last names) it can also facilitate a culture of thoughtless robots or, as suggested in Charlotte Thomson Iserbyt’s book, “The Deliberate Dumbing Down of America.”

The question arises: What impact does this impose on society? During a lecture given to the Columbus Society of Communicating Arts, Jesse James Garrett (co-founder and President of Adaptive Path, an experience design firm based in San Francisco, and author of The Elements of User Experience) discussed the dangers of not letting people think for themselves. Interactive designers’ primary goal is to eliminate all potential frustration during the product's operation through usability optimization. That is: the more intuitive the software, the more useful, usable, and desirable. However, Garrett raised concerns regarding designers' devaluation of utilizing the human brain. Therefore, essentially, interactive designers are doing society a great disservice by creating intuitively designed presentations.

This notion suggests that users should be encouraged to “think for themselves” through the use of rigid, non-intuitive technology - in effect, forcing users to frequently refer to the Help menu. This would further the original problem by creating more confusion when trying to accomplish quotidian tasks. Having to search through the Help menu’s index of articles while simply trying to pay an electric bill online does not make the user more intelligent or benefit society in any way. Intuitive interactive presentations eliminate dual objectives: meaning, the user should not need to first view a tutorial in order to learn how to pay their electric bill online - they should simply pay the electric bill online.

[2]
Connectivity + Privacy
Engineers have long been stricken with the task of making things work better, faster, and more efficiently. Cellular phones are synonymous with losing their service provider’s signal due to the user's location, extreme weather conditions, and, other times, absolutely nothing at all. Police and medical reports frequently cite a cell phone’s lack of service as a factor in cases of preventable physical attacks or worsened injuries. James Kim, editor of C-Net.com (web site which provides expert reviews of modern technology), died from exposure and hypothermia while trying to retrieve help for his family after their car was buried in snow during a road trip. Kim’s death could have certainly been prevented had he received a signal on his cellular phone and been able to contact the appropriate local authorities for help.

Ironically, only a few weeks after Kim’s death, C-Net.com released survey results that indicated the general public’s distrust of location based software in cellular phones largely due to the pervasive fear of being watched by “Big Brother” regardless of the palpable dangers that surfaced during Kim’s disappearance and death. Also, most cellular phones are already equipped with software enabling users to be located during emergencies while the device is turned on (even if there is no service signal available). This indicates that the fear of being located by a mobile communication device is merely perceptual; users have been located by their cellular phones before this feature was advertised as a technological breakthrough.

[3]
Proposed Solutions
Steps should be taken to inform the public of not only the dangers of intuitively designed applications and location-based cellular phone software but also the unclear advantages as well. While advertising has made its attempts and is usually fairly unsuccessful, other forms of media can be utilized such as interviews/debates with experts, case studies, documentaries, and published research to clearly articulate both concepts.

eureka

There have been few times in my life when I can honestly say I've experienced what's referred to as "eureka." I'm fully aware of how arrogant I may sound at times and honestly, I don't really believe I'm some design guru who's descended from above - I'm just hard working, attentive, and like anyone else, I have a good idea from time to time.

As this project with OSU's African American Alumni Society comes to a close, I can honestly say this has been the most fun I've ever had professionally. They are great people to work with, they loved my ideas, and I loved theirs. And although I wanted to go in a different direction with the logo (after seeing it for more than a week, the red, black, and green seemed a little predictable but much less than the kinte cloth they used pre-Matthew), this poster is certainly one of my favorite ideas I've had in quite some time. It always seems to be the projects that are not directly related to my career objective that produce the most satisfying results. This, more than likely, can be attributed to my deep passion for the subject.

Description
The slogan, "Faces, places, and memories - honoring our past while creating our future" was developed by AAAS' Marketing Department. Though the slogan alone provokes lots of visuals, the poster simplifies the message by juxtaposing two images - close ups of an African American child and an African warrior - with the AAAS logo as the link between both. While maintaining a visually arresting layout, the poster quickly communicates the idea. Also, this poster reflects the visual identity (logo) by using equally sized and horizontally aligned squares as the primary visual element.

I was so in love with this idea that (as my Facebook friends can recall... all four of you) I made it my profile picture for a few weeks.

Not bad, Matthew.
*pats self on back*

google android

This will, without a doubt, influence my thesis direction in the immediate future.