Informational Geometry

So... I'm on Pinterest updating a 'board' for my portfolio and I discover that other people have pinned my Experience Design Process graphic from my website. Apparently this graphic comes right up in Google Searches if you search on on Experience Design Process. Since the image on my site is small I'm re-posting the graphic here! Can anybody guess what this image was originally create for? I don't know what I was thinking about these colors! So what is going on here? In the middle of the graphic is a series of linear main steps to take in order to design an interactive digital product. The process starts with identifying a project's goals and ends with meeting those goals. In order to meet those goals you need to do some careful work... Surrounding the steps are a set of tasks (or methodologies) to perform in order to complete each step of the process. Over-arching the entire process are guidelines like "vetting" and "informed iteratio...

The funny thing about working from home is that you rely on your co-workers and especially your managers even more than when you go to an office. I have worked in corporate offices, I have cranked out work on-site at start-ups, I've designed large scale websites in corporate environments, in agency environments, and at home. And you know what? It always comes down to management. Good Management Handles the Work Over the course of 2009 and 2010 I worked on a very successful project for Cengage Learning and - I never met my clients - ever.  However the project was managed very well by Cengage's internal team. My client/manager understood the entire scope of the project and was able to break down all the work into a very effective process. He communicated everything very clearly to the team, including a schedule, all the deliverables he expected, and when he wanted them . We always had two-way conversations about the work and we thoroughly reviewed my output on a regular basis...

We're proud to announce another logo, website and collateral materials for a local custom home builder, Bement & Sons Construction, INC . Marty, our client,  makes some of the most amazing custom homes I have ever seen. A beautiful fusion of Old World European design and modern construction.  Evey detail has been thought about, from the accents, the systems and the location of his homes. The end result is  a beautiful and luxurious home. If you're looking for dream home or considering having a custom home built in Maryland, you ought to check out Bementandsons.com today.

Happy 2013! I hope everybody survived 2012 and is looking forward, not back. There seems to be a bit of confusion about different design roles in the interactive fields. Too many designers I meet are confused by job listings they read. Too many job listings are cut and pasted together, even I don't understand who that company is looking for. Recently I've been helping companies hire interactive design talent. I know soooo many people and I like to make them all happy. I haven't really formalized this but I'm toying with the idea of becoming a recruiter myself... If anybody wants to help me formalize this idea let me know! If you are a graphic designer looking to do more interactive work, or if you're trying to hire interactive designers, take a look at my list. I've defined the various roles and described the nature of the work. Feel free to comment. Steph's guide to interactive design roles: UI Designer This person designs "user interfaces...

Many people don't know that I dabble in a little online marketing as well as doing Interface and User Experience Design. This internet marketing helps me observe a much greater view of the people's online landscape. It's making me a better UX designer since I can see all the complex connections that data and people make together. Nowadays many small business people are asking me for help with social networks and social media marketing. They say things like, "I just don't know where to begin," really lost sounding remarks. Groupon scares the crap out of people, it's perceived as a business killer. And Foursquare is confusing, lots of people don't "get it". It seems like regular people are just now getting comfortable with Facebook. Anyway... here are my top 10 web marketing rules designed to help you use social media like a pro.  Marketing Rule #1 - Reciprocate!  The social web is … social . People don’t want to talk, they want to conve...

I am very very thankful that I have a very short commute to work. I am thankful that I'm not paying for some stupid stranger's property investment. I'm so grateful everyday that the food I make tastes good. I am thankful for Baltimore, home of real - and real awesome - people. I am grateful that I work for myself. I am thankful that people want to work with me, even though the economy is in the tank. I am thankful that I can connect with, and stay in touch with so may people, all of the time, on the internet. I am grateful that I know how to communicate like a rational adult. Despite my Bachelors of Fine Art. I'm thankful for my incredible family - without all of their help in this recession I would be homeless, broke, and likely insane right now. I am grateful that my big mouth hasn't messed up too many things. Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!

Please join FACETS for their annual sale  this Saturday and Sunday November 19 and 20 10am - 5pm.  This year in addition to fabulous unique jewelry, there are ceramics, glassware and paintings.  Get a gift or shop for yourself.  Tell a friend and bring them too! Location: The Radisson at Cross Keys 5100 Falls Road Baltimore, MD 21210 *In the Woodland Room