I was having a look at Protoshare’s interactive wireframing application thats all browser based. Looks pretty good. But unfortunately there were a couple of downfalls – you can only export into word. The site also doesnt indicate whether you can upload .png files from fireworks of templates youve been working on. 

So I had an explore of Dreamweaver, which takes a little while to learn, but you can then create wireframes in HTML and CSS.  However now Adobe has come up with interactive wireframing in Fireworks using PDFs.  Check it out…

I think we all need to be a bit braver in our designs with regard to the imagery and layout and treatment of typography.  Also treatment of images with light or laser through them to spark a focal point or indicate a journey.  Heres some images that could get you inspired…

Deb.

Here’s an interesting article by Tony Byrne (CMS Watch) that discusses considerations and offers a point of view on what to look out for when considering applications and projects that fall into the ‘Enterprise 2.0′ classification:

http://www.kmworld.com/Articles/PrintArticle.aspx?ArticleID=50453

Kalpesh

A new study by IDEA (institute for dynamic educational advancement) confirms some key factors that improve online experiences – its useful to see how the perception of these factors varies between the audience being surveyed, depending on whether they are Designers or Public.

The key information to highlight from the study is the size of the gap between the perceptions of designers / producers of websites and the public in terms of what makes an effective website.  Truly effective site design & builds start by having a solid understanding of the users goals, objectives, information requirements, and ability – bring on more design & user research I say!

You can download or read the study online here: http://www.idea.org/find-information.html

Kalpesh

Here’s a good article from the Harvard Business Review that explains Pixar’s take on fostering collective creativity. Whilst they talk about the process from the perspective of making movies, the same principles can be applied in other creative industries.

Click here to read the article

Kalpesh

Bravo to Vattenfall the Swedish Energy company for being original in creating a climate change map, rather than a traditional operations map.

Deb.

After reading an article by Peter Merholz of Adaptive Path – I’d like to hightlight it for you guys too. It sums up the conversations we’ve often had about the role of wireframes in relation to a project. Peter writes:

“I think the role of the architecture diagram, user flow, and wireframe belongs very much after the fact, after we’ve sketched and prototyped an experience. Those are tools to document what has been agreed through sketching and prototyping. They are not the best means for solving challenging design problems.”

You can read the full article here: http://www.adaptivepath.com/blog/2008/08/20/pencil-and-paper-to-live-prototype-whered-the-wireframe-go/

Kalpesh

A Joint study by Beeline Labs and Deloitte that was recently published provides some data and stats on drivers, considerations, and trends in relation to online communities.

Here’s a link to the charts from the study – interesting stuff and useful to confirm to clients about what they should think about when considering such endeavours!

http://www.beelinelabs.com/tribalization/charts/

Kalpesh

Not sure just how well Louis Vuitton pull off their ad about ‘the journey’. Their overall message is:

Does the person create the journey or does the journey create the person? The journey is life itself. Where will life take you?. Louis Vuitton.

Check it out for yourself here:

I think I rather like Derek Zoolanders version “Moisture is the essence of wetness, and wetness is the essence of beauty.” Every time someone say the word ‘essence’ with a client, I think of that

Deb.

Most share charts Ive come across are pretty dull, however ENI have come up with a fun way to encourage its users to explore the chart’s peaks and troughs throughout the year.