Inspiration is where you find it
Something I’ve come to realise as I’ve broadened my view on web application development, is to not rely solely on conventional sources such as books and blogs for learning.
Think about it, were you ever shown how to use a hand dryer? What can their design teach you about UX design? Good design is good design, it doesn’t have to be a web based to inspire you to create a fantastic new webapp.
Great customer service in an Apple store, a nice touch at a restaurant or hotel that made a difference to your visit… what can you take from that? How can you use what pleased you in the real world and apply it to your site or application?
The pride and attention to detail a master knifemaker puts into his work is inspirational, even if your product is virtual and your tools a mouse and keyboard.
Seeking inspiration from unusual sources isn’t new; the development methodology SCRUM is based on the sport rugby. The concepts of Kanban and Just-in-Time, first employed by Japanese factories, have also been applied to software development.
Nature has always been a valuable source of design inspiration, for example the nose cone of the Shinkansen bullet train is modelled on a Kingfisher’s beak and the Fibonacci sequence is also found in the iPod’s design.
Everything in life has a lesson to give, the skill is knowing how to find and use it.
May 2nd, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Some more examples for you:-
Our very first case study in our HCI course at uni was on door handles.
My stance against micro-optimisation actually came from a book on industrial management. Factory process designers have known for years and years that performance gains are worthless unless they’re at your bottleneck.
Next time you want to check out some really inspirational usability, try having a good think about driving a car (both the design of the car, and the design of the road). “Even your mum can do it!”
I’ve had similar usability insights from getting on a bus, and finding my way through a modern airport.