I started thinking about the idea of trading languages a while back when I learned about Swahili. I had learned that Swahili is comprised of about 20% Arabic words and that it may have been because of its use in trading in east Africa, making trading across cultural groups more efficient. I noted that much like in trade, when working in project teams, having a common trade language can help make communication much more efficient
In design, the concept of proximity (part of Gestalt theory in design) suggests that elements that are close to each other are likely linked in some way or another. When we design elements like this, we can reinforce the function or meaning of elements by placing them in proximity to others.
Perhaps, in an effort to cut costs, airlines have started offering in-flight entertainment through an app that you can download on to your own device, rather than putting screens in the back of the seat in front of you. This would probably be fine, except that not everyone has a device, and you don’t necessarily find out ahead of time.
Often in projects, we are pretty good at establishing the big picture at the beginning, in terms of what we are trying to accomplish, and the scope of people, time and resources required to enable it.
Recently I came across what will likely become the new elevator experience. I was downtown for some training and had pulled into an underground car park for the day. After I parked my car, I went to the elevator and was faced with a keypad. There was a G on it, so I pushed it, assuming that it was for Ground floor. Before I got into the elevator car, I took note of the fact …
Even though many of us are familiar with the term, I am willing to bet there is still a lot of confusion as to what it means or where it applies.
Recently, I watched a TED talk by Daniele Quercia titled “Happy Maps“, in which he encouraged all of us to take a chance sometimes and take the road less travelled, rather than the most efficient. As he put it, you can likely have a more enjoyable experience by eschewing the world that is “fabricated for efficiency” and look for something that is perhaps, quieter, greener, and more beautiful.
Has this ever happened to you? You walk into a restroom and you put your hand under the tap, only to realize after 5 seconds of performing hand gestures under it that it is a manual tap? Then, you go to the paper towel dispenser and look for the lever to press, only to realize after another five seconds of basically reenacting the monolith scene of 2001: A Space Odyssey, that it’s an automated one?
