Description: In great interactive design, form always follows function...or does it? Of course usability and efficiency are critical, but what about the more intangible sensibilities that infuse great designs, those qualities inspired by fashion, culture, and taste? What about art direction? What about style? Learn how the history of design encompasses style and problem solving, and see how great designers think about form and function, style and efficiency, at the same time—whether they know it or not.
by Matt McCausland at 6/24/2008 2:22:16 AM
Note: I live blogged this after the fact from notes I took with some primitave ink dispenser and a piece of tree pulp or something.
by Matt McCausland at 6/24/2008 2:22:50 AM
What is style? Style has structures. Any individual style or personal identity can be reproduced, then style becomes about fitting in.
by Matt McCausland at 6/24/2008 2:24:30 AM
Even someone who thinks they have no style has a style and fits in with others who think they have no style. Even grandma has a style.
by Matt McCausland at 6/24/2008 2:25:41 AM
Style is a moment on a timeline, a set of rules (vocabulary). Style happens no matter what.
by Matt McCausland at 6/24/2008 2:29:28 AM
Style can be a dirty word (superficial, elitist, diverts focus from functionality) but it can be good too (normalize, inspire, sell).
by Matt McCausland at 6/24/2008 2:30:50 AM
Style in history: Ladies still wear shoes, jackets, hats but the style changes.
by Matt McCausland at 6/24/2008 2:31:49 AM
Fashion designers have a vocabulary to talk about their craft (A shape dress, T-shirt), do designers have the same vocabulary?
by Matt McCausland at 6/24/2008 2:32:33 AM
You have to have rules to break them.
by Matt McCausland at 6/24/2008 2:32:58 AM
All design fits into a style, if you know the styles you can design for the appropriate one.
by Matt McCausland at 6/24/2008 2:33:21 AM
Styles vs. Trends: Trends don't change anything permanently, they just change for the sake of change.
by Matt McCausland at 6/24/2008 2:33:59 AM
Design is a commodity to be sold.
by Matt McCausland at 6/24/2008 2:34:38 AM
We're trying to solve problems on the web rather than making new styles.
by Matt McCausland at 6/24/2008 2:34:57 AM
iPod is an example of selling style. The style gets old so you have to get a new one, yours still works and they do the same thing, but you'll pay more for style.
by Matt McCausland at 6/24/2008 2:35:32 AM
Style can make people feel comfort, confidence, pride, ambition, peace and security.
by Matt McCausland at 6/24/2008 2:36:34 AM
Designers solve problems and make things look good, there's an internal struggle to balance both.
by Matt McCausland at 6/24/2008 2:37:16 AM
You want to work by planning it out and following the process but really you get an idea for a sweet design and go nuts then hope it works.
by Matt McCausland at 6/24/2008 2:38:10 AM
Companies have style guides.
by Matt McCausland at 6/24/2008 2:38:31 AM
Expose yourself to lots of patterns (style guides) and keep them in your bag of tricks. Pull them out when necessary.
by Matt McCausland at 6/24/2008 2:39:31 AM
Sketch/storyboard for interaction design and you'll have something to base your wireframes on.
by Matt McCausland at 6/24/2008 2:40:02 AM
Look at showcase sites for inspiration. Look at as many websites as you can, all the time.
by Matt McCausland at 6/24/2008 2:40:28 AM
by Matt McCausland at 6/24/2008 2:40:39 AM
End
by Matt McCausland at 6/24/2008 2:40:41 AM