UI/UX Articles and Interesting Tidbits of the Week
February//10//2023
Here are some interesting finds on UI/UX of the week!
1.
Collaborating in Remote Work Settings. Interesting read from the Invision Design Blog and author Eli Woolery on the topic of remote collaboration. It’s somewhat of an ironic article due to the fact that while most organizations have realized they can be just as effective with fully remote working arrangements, they’re suddenly asking people for hybrid work adoption, while simultaneously this article is clearly a product advertisement for Invision’s Freehand, which with all due respect, still lags behind Miro and Mural in its features and abilities. Oh, and the supreme irony of this also being the fact that apparently, the remote work is only applicable to certain castes of employees/team members, while with offshore teams that clearly does not seem to be an issue. Working arrangements that are subjected to the whims of trends may turn out to have ramifications and consequences in the long run, but for now the author of this article delivers recommendations such as Building Solutions Collectively, Understanding Colleagues, Offering Mentorship opportunities, to name but a few that can help with remote work and collaboration. While some of these recommendations are shallow and lack insight, they reinforce the fact that the challenges for collaboration don’t increase because of geographical distances, they’re actually a direct result of a culture that doesn’t invest in inclusivity, and a mission statement that leadership fails to propagate throughout the organization. Highlight of the article includes:
“When you’re building a new product or service or feature, it can be tempting to be sequestered away, working secretively until you’re ready to share something polished with stakeholders. More often than not, that’s a big mistake. Ideas shared in this way will encounter friction, and decision makers often won’t agree on the best way forward. Instead, involve them early in the process, so that they understand why the decisions are being made, and have a chance to weigh in.”
2.
Gentler Streak. An interesting app highlight from The Next Web and author Ioanna Lykiardopoulou, focused on Gentler Streak, a fitness tracker who has a decidedly different perspective on this topic. The app has a more holistic perspective on the general health and well being of the user, not prioritizing the more competitive and at times brutal aspect of the constant fitness regime users pose to themselves. Well worth reading through. Highlight of the article includes:
“According to research by the University of Galway, fitness apps can be a double-edged sword, as some users may develop obsessive tendencies or maladaptive perceptions of exercise and burnout in the long run. Gentler Streak aims to transform types of maladaptive fitness behaviors into viable lifelong habits. To do that, it responds to the users’ individual fitness status and proposes optimal exercise levels through a personalized Activity Path. Users can also make use of the Go Gentler feature which monitors workout intensity and alerts them to step up or slow down, taking into account rest and active recovery sessions.”
3.
https://www.peppersquare.com/blog/what-are-pageless-websites-why-you-need-it/
Pageless websites. Very interesting article from Pepper Square on the topic of pageless websites, and how these one page digital products facilitate consumption amongst a variety of other benefits. The article showcases aspects such as Better Conversion rates, SEO advantages, Responsiveness, Affordability and Cost Effectiveness, to name but a few. It’s well worth reading through, and considering its applicability, particularly considering the mobile centric perspective it adheres to. Highlight of the article includes:
“One of the most effective parts of having a pageless website is the lower bounce rates. Since users enter the site in search of information and don’t have to go elsewhere to find it, effective conversion rates invoke lower bounce rates.Due to lower bounce rates, the generation of leads, and promotion of products and services become easier. This will help your business achieve targets and see growth in the preferred period.”
