So, this post is intended to **lightly cover what User Experience Design and what User Interface Development actually entail.

User Interface (UI)

This is what users see when they access an application, website, or anything that involves visual interaction, this is the final creative outcome of a design. A User Interface designer may be someone who simply designs the look and feel of an application by creating wireframes and mockups of the final product and/or they may lean more on the development side.

User Experience (UX)

This is about the psychology of the user. When a user comes to your website, how do they know what is important and where to find the information they are looking for? If the user must fill out a form, how do they know what information needed, how will they know how to search for information, is the navigation clear and simple, etc… There is a level of psychology involved in all User Experience studies, most of which are heavily focused on how a user interacts and perceives the level of information being presented.

It cannot be overstated that there is, as always, no clear and obvious answer to any visual UI/UX design, as this field of study is ever-changing and fluid with the vast growth of digital smart devices, and the human cognitive development.

In conclusion, User Interface ties in closely with User Experience in that the user is the end-goal in both situations, which means that simplicity is integral, and is the general rule in good design.

**Because this field of study can be very deep and complex – and every UI/UX study varies in complexity and scenario, so this is a very brief description.

Created by: MBAOnline.com

[from Creative Review]
The ticket designs for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games have finally been published. Designed by Futurebrand, the tickets incorporate pictogram designs along with images of the venues.

Each ticket features the relevant sport pictogram (see the story on the design of the pictograms here) with a specific color scheme for each venue, as well as an image of the venue, to help spectators reach their destination. The tickets also incorporate a number of security measures – a hologram, a barcode and the name of the booker. Supposedly, every ticket can be traced to the person who purchased it. Crazy!

In this context, the pictograms actually work well and it’s interesting to see how the two styles – the silhouette version for high-visibility shown top left on the tickets and the ‘dynamic’ set – work together. The key information – date, time etc – is clear and easy to find and the use of the venue images and colour coding should help visitors navigate their way effectively (although a lot will depend on the wayfaring system). Interesting that the 2012 typeface has not been used for the information elements – not easy enough to read? (It was, as its designer Gareth Hague has pointed out on Twitter, meant for headline or ‘impact’ use not information graphics).

So, Google has come up with another great Doodle design. Today is commemorating Les Paul’s 96th birthday. For those of who have been living under a rock, Les Paul—was an American jazz and country guitarist, songwriter and inventor. He was one of the pioneers in the development of the solid-body electric guitar.

What makes this interesting design even more fun is that if you hover over the guitar strings, you get the sounds as well: E, A, D, G, B, E. Oh yeah, you can also record your playing session and share the link! Pretty neat stuff!

10 years ago a browser was born.

Its name was Internet Explorer 6. Now that we’re in 2011, in an era of modern web standards, it’s time to say goodbye.

This website is dedicated to watching Internet Explorer 6 usage drop to less than 1% worldwide, so more websites can choose to drop support for Internet Explorer 6, saving hours of work for web developers.

View the site

How much do you care about design? What if you could help shape the future of design? What questions would you ask? What answers would you give?

On April 13, 2011 the AIGA will host a one-day, online conversation among a global community of designers and design enthusiasts.

One Day for Design moderators, including Alex Bogusky, Doug Bowman, Liz Danzico, Debbie Millman, Erik Spiekermann, Armin Vit, Alissa Walker and Katherine Walker, will host exchanges on Twitter throughout the day, which will all be aggregated at event website where viewers can also post comments.

One Day for Design will encourage design enthusiasts everywhere to think about the role design organizations can play for designers in a rapidly-shifting world.

Visit onedayfordesign.org for more!

What is causefordesign.co? This should clarify…

“We created CFD with one purpose in mind, to be a moving force in the relief efforts for Japan by using the skills God gave us. Designers can help by submitting a design (digital file) to be sold on the site, where all the proceeds go to the Japan relief aid. The general public can help by buying a design for their desktop, mobile screen, self or wall that will serve as a reminder to keep our global neighbors in our thoughts and prayers.”

At first, I was flattered, and humbled that my work could actually help those in need, and in addition to my previous donation to the American Red Cross, and my continuing interest in helping, I graciously took this opportunity to post 3 digital variations of my work in the form of;

iPhone Wallpaper:

iPad Wallpaper:

Desktop Wallpaper:

I highly recommend that you head over to causefordesign.co and see all of the wonderful, creative, and compelling designs others like myself, have submitted. Be sure to “buy” some of these designs as all proceeds go straight to the people of Japan.

One of my favorite/inspirational/informative websites Fast Company posted a neat little infographic about the 50 Most Popular Typefaces of the World.

It has been a while since my last update. In fact, as I write this bit I am realizing that my sever lack of updates on the blog/news end is sort of embarrassing. My only excuse is that I have been insanely busy, but that is only an excuse.

However, the folks over at The Phoenix Egotist blog posted up a very nice write-up about my work. Featuring all 3 of the major sections of my work; Web Design, Typedsgn, and my latest showcase of display fonts. Being my own bashful self, it was nice to get some props. Although, I can very well be my own worst critic (aren’t we all) when it comes to anything I personally design, I do truly appreciate the kind remarks!

Go check out the article here.

Oh yeah in case all of you at the Egotist were wondering, I am NOT a severe insomniac as the article jokingly indicates, I just encourage my motivations with high-octane coffee and some good tunes! Thanks ya’ll!

This year, tell the world: Why do you value design?

Building on our strategic priorities of global advocacy, unity and engagement, Icograda is inviting a global exchange on design’s value. On 27 April 2010, using the power of social media, individuals worldwide can complete the sentence: “I value design because…”

Ways to participate:

1. Stick to the point. Use 140 characters on twitter.com with the hash tag #wgd2010
2. Show us how you see it. Post images on flickr.com that represent design’s value and add them to the group World Graphics Day
3. Speak your mind. Post video on youtube.com with the tag ‘World Graphics Day’
4. Tell all your Friends. Change your status on facebook.com
5. Leave a comment. Post your contribution on the Icograda Blog

Celebrate World Graphics Day 2010 in Vancouver

This year, the occasion coincides with the conference opening of Design Currency: Icograda Design Week in Vancouver, hosted by the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC).

About World Graphics Day

World Graphics Day is an opportunity to recognise communication design, its role in the world and celebrate Icograda’s birthday. On this occasion, designers reflect and hope that our global network can contribute to greater understanding between people and can help to build bridges where divides and inequities exist.

new 100 dollar bill redesign:
The U.S Government has unveiled a new makeover for the $100 note, which is equipped with newer technology to prevent counterfeiting. This looks like a technical upgrade, not the full redesign many have been hoping for. (Is it time again to take a look at the U.S. currency design?)

“…The blue 3-D Security Ribbon on the front of the new $100 note contains images of bells (horray! bells!) and 100s that move and change from one to the other as you tilt the note. The Bell in the Inkwell on the front of the note is another new security feature. The bell changes color from copper to green when the note is tilted, an effect that makes it seem to appear and disappear within the copper inkwell…this is similar to the watermark trickery.

The back of the note has a new vignette of Independence Hall featuring the rear, rather than the front, of the building. Both the vignette on the back of the note and the portrait on the front have been enlarged, and the oval that previously appeared around both images has been removed…”

The new bills will not be put into circulation until February 10, 2011.

—via press release

Of course the joke is directed towards our commander in chief, which makes for another great “propaganda” poster of our time.

I will try my best to re-locate the source of this. In the meantime, enjoy!