November 18, 2014 — In the wake of so much “CSS versus JavaScript animation” infighting, a new API specifically for web animation is coming out that might just unite both camps. In 2014, Rachel Nabors had the chance to travel the world to talk about using animation in user interfaces and design. She met and interviewed dozens of people who use and champion both CSS and JavaScript. What you’re about to read is purely observational and as unbiased an account as you will be able to find on the subject of web animation. Read more…

November 17, 2014 — In this article, Daniel Sternlicht walks you through the development process of a Chrome extension with modern web tools and libraries. It all begins with an idea. Daniel thought it would be nice to create a Chrome extension that enables you to mark your reading progress in articles so that you can continue reading them later — anywhere. “Markticle” is the name he chose for this extension. He’ll share here the technologies that he used to develop it. After reading this article, you’ll have a ready-to-use “Save for Later”-like Chrome extension. Read more…

November 14, 2014 — As a designer, you might start looking for a new job when you feel you have hit a wall with your current employer or when greater opportunities are present at other companies. When you’re honest with who you are and what you want in a job, you will be able to determine whether the position meets your criteria. Planning for job requirements, salary and perhaps location before applying is obvious, but many people forget to set criteria for one major thing: corporate culture. Corporate culture shapes every aspect of an organization, from operations and business policies to “extra-curricular” activities and day-to-day staff interactions. Read more…

November 13, 2014 — Today, we’re happy to release a quite special hand-drawn doodle icon set that has been created by Roundicons and can be used for both private and commercial projects. This icon set is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license. Please always provide credits to the creators and link to the article in which this freebie was released if you would like to spread the word. You may modify the size, color or shape of the icons! Read more…

November 12, 2014 — In this article, James Rosewell outlines common challenges and how to configure Google’s new Universal Analytics to efficiently overcome them, using features such as custom dimensions, enhanced link tracking and server-side data feeds. Universal Analytics is a powerful tool, and it is prepared for a world in which designers get a single report of all interactions, including for websites, native applications and real-world events. Happy analyzing! Read more…

November 11, 2014 — The way you frame communication, or how you say something, could be extremely effective at persuading people to start using your product. In this article, Victor Yocco will cover how to effectively frame a message, and how to test it before implementation. Design teams need to give deeper thought to how they are conveying their message, not just what they are saying. Outlined above is a process for creating and testing a message, which will help you communicate clearly and effectively with users. Your messages will resonate with them. Read more…

November 10, 2014 — People make all sorts of visual notes. An army of sketchnoters is out there, and everyone has their own style. Some do amazing sketches and lavish letters. Some translate complicated concepts into easy-to-grasp diagrams. But for the sake of this article, let’s keep it simple. Making your notes more interesting doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking. It’s not like learning to play the piano or taking up diving. If you think sketchnoting looks fun, Elisabeth Irgens has some tips to get you started. Read more…

November 7, 2014 — Sometimes, despite your careful planning and best efforts, a project will fail. And preparing to deal with failure is as important as planning for success. The important thing to do when a project goes bad is learn from it. Once the dust has settled, sit down with your team and take an honest look at what went wrong. Own up to your own failings, and do what you can to make sure they do not arise again. Articles and tips on how to kick off a project right and build a long-term client relationship are helpful in this industry, but if you only focus on what to do when things go right, then you will be ill-prepared for when things get so off track that you are unable to complete a project. Read more…

November 6, 2014 — This icons are completely free to use for commercial as well as your personal projects, including software, online services, templates and themes. You may modify the size, color or shape of the icons. No attribution is required, however, reselling of bundles or individual pictograms is prohibited. Please always provide credits to the creators and link to the article in which this freebie was released if you would like to spread the word. Thank you to Amie Andrews and the creative minds behind Whoishostingthis — we sincerely appreciate your time and efforts! Keep up the brilliant work! Read more…

November 5, 2014 — For many of us, the idea of doing formal user testing, is a formidable challenge. There are many reasons why: you don’t have enough lead time; you can’t find enough participants, or the right type of participant; you can’t convince your boss to spend the money. User testing is the best way to improve your designs. If you rely on anecdotal data, or your own experience, you can’t design a great solution to your user’s problems. User testing is vital. But how do you make the case for it and actually do it? Read more…