UI/UX Articles And Interesting Tidbits Of The Week

October//11//2019

Here are some interesting finds on UI/UX of the week!

1.https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2019/10/design-systems-relationships/
Design Systems. While not necessarily a dramatic point of view, this is an interesting article, that once again reaffirms the virtuosity underlining Design Systems. As Design Systems become more prevailing in organizations, this article sheds light on the fact, that in essence, this tool should be a mutually owned product that constantly evolves, and is comprised of a variety of elements (that also go beyond file types). Worth a read, and hailing from the always impeccable Smashing Magazine. Highlight of the article includes:

“Design systems should empower teams, not limit them. For that to happen, we need to start thinking more holistically. A design system isn’t just code, or designs, or documentation. It’s all of these things, plus relationships between the people who make the system and the people who use it. It includes not just CSS files and Sketch documents, but also trust, communication, and shared ownership. As it turns out, there’s a whole field of study dedicated to exploring systems like these.”

2.hhttps://www.brandly.com/blog/when-brand-identity-goes-wrong-5-embarrassing-mistakes/
Brand Identity Gone Wrong. Very interesting article from Brandly, focused on the identification of problems derived from poorly executed Branding strategies. The article provides pertinent examples of how branding plays a crucial role in helping organizations achieve success, and how poorly tested and executed branding strategies, can at times precipitate the demise of those same entities. There’s quite a few examples of misdirection on the topics illustrated, such as scalability, compliance and narrow focus. Highlight of the article includes:

“You see, there’s a reason why each company exists. They are here to leave a mark on the world. The fancy term for that is mission, and it’s critical. The mission is all about the people and their why and their for what goal. A company also has a vision. In a nutshell, a vision is how the world is after we’re done doing our thing. Those two together are the things that change the least. The mistake many make is branding after the product or service. Companies pivot all the time. In the late 90s, Netflix used to rent DVDs. They only started their streaming service in the mid-2000s. The original plan was for Netflix to be a box that downloaded movies overnight. Imagine if they had that on their logo the same way they had a VHS tape on their original one in 1998. That would have been a mistake.”

3.https://www.fastcompany.com/90415320/the-button-that-could-fix-one-of-facebooks-biggest-problems
Efficacy of UI Design. A very relevant article, which begs to extrude the impact that effective UI design can have on how users consume and perceive information. The term “fake news” has become so prevailing on our every day jargon, and this article sheds light on tactics and studies that have been done, which illustrate how these can be overcome across a myriad of social media networks that we as users go through on a daily basis. Worth a read. Highlight of the article includes:

“As Garrett puts it, the solution here is incredibly simple for Facebook (and any other news aggregator, for that matter) and can be worked into their interface. “I think labeling things as satire is such a straightforward solution,” says Garrett, who points out that the research found there’s really nothing to lose. “The humor of satire is not grounded in fooling someone. Satire isn’t less funny just because someone tells you it’s satire. You’re not harming the satire, and you’re potentially helping the people who might be fooled.””