Structurally Sound

I had a great time at IDEA Con 2008 . . . It was probably the best conference I have ever attended, and surprisingly, it’s not because it had the most innovative session formats, or most “sexy” lineup of presenters. Rather, it was merely because it provoked the most new ideas for me, and I guess that’s what the whole conference was exactly supposed to be.

For beginners, it had a truly diverse array of speakers and thinkers.

One of the first to get up was David Armano, who talked about the impact of “micro-interactions” (see whole talk here) on the overall “brand experience” of a product, service or company: Think of a hospital that has a nurse who’s especially nice (or especially mean). Think about a customer service call you had (bad or good) and how it framed your view of a company. Think about all the small ways in which we come into contact with a brand or product - and think about how that impacts your view of the product.

More importantly, think about how the Web multiplies this phenomenon times 1,000.

From Web ads, to Twitter posts, to blog feeds, and support websites, the “presence” of a company online IS that company in today’s world. It represents them better than a series of television ads or a marketing slogan ever could.

“Your brand is the sum of these interactions” according to David. Reminds me of Oliver Reichenstein’s assertion that “the interface is the brand.”

I loved David’s talk, and not just because I agree with it, but because it drives home the point that it is indeed the “small” things that matter when it comes to building a brand or making the kinds of “vital connections” (my phrase) to which all business and organizations should aspire.

(Something organizations of all sorts - from libraries to healthcare facilities - could learn.)

Alberto Canas on CMap Tools

Very simply, CMap Tools entails not only a super cool software tool/platform - but an awesome way to think about ideas, knowledge and learning in general.

I love the fact that he spent most of the time talking about what Concept Maps were and how to use them, rather than just showcasing his software.

But man, the software is cool! (And as it happens, is the best way to illustrate what concept maps are.)

Basically, it allows individuals to create whole websites based on making connections (using verbs) between nouns.

Their website makes the point pretty clear. It is simply a concept map of all the important things that can be known about their product.Information architects and user experience designers (or just professional “info” nuts) like myself must love this software!

The fact that this software also allows people to create collaborative concept maps across countries, regions, and locales - just makes you that much more amazed at its potential. (I have got to try making my own concept map soon, or I am just going to be a complete hypocrite.)

Jason Fried on “Getting Real”

“Build it - and they will come!” This was the singular message of Jason Fried’s funny, pithy, and candid talk of the software “design” process at 37 signals.

They basically start by brainstorming ideas for what content or functionality they want, sketching out ideas on whiteboards and paper using only sharpies to prevent getting caught up in the details.

They then immediately “build it.”

In their case, this means creating a working HTML prototype of the page or feature,which once they are happy with they pass on to their programmers to make happen. The funny thing is they seem to do no usability testing, no formal or informal user research whatsoever, or UI Mockups (other than their random sketches).

Instead, they build, use it themselves (to see if it works), and if they like what they see, put it into production.

Just sketch it, build it, implement it - and done.

The name of his talk was “getting real,” but I felt it was more about “getting it done” (and still doing it well.)

It was a refreshing talk for me considering this was a “design” conference - and provided additional justification for my own current habit of not creating a bunch of unnecessary documentation and formal structure around my own user research and design.

Instead, take an idea - build it FIRST and then see if it works!

Jesse James Garrett and Aurora

If you have not heard about Aurora yet, you need to take a look!

This is an exciting new concept video about what the browser of the future might look like. It has a lot to say about not only what shape browsers will take, but what the Web will become as well.

(For a semantic web “nut” like myself, a lot of what they suggested about the creation, exchange, and distribution of raw data made me excited - whether it turns out to be weirdly prophetic or a total pipe dream.)

Check it out and see what you think!

Dave Gray and the Book

Okay, the librarian in me absolutely loved the idea (as well as careful thought and research) behind this presentation. It basically showcased the book as an innovative “information technology” that has shaped the way we see the world ever since (who knew those outside libraries thought this way?) showing its potential relevance for today.

Dave Gray gave some very persuasive (and insightful) reasons why interaction designers should continue to look at the book as an inspiration for creating user experiences of the future. One idea he mentioned, in fact, has already been adopted by Microsoft in the new version of IE: A feature where the tabs opened from a particular tab all bear the same color. (So that, there is a hierarchical “history” of sorts embedded in the browser.)

Of course, Aurora envisioned a similar idea, but that just goes to further confirm Dave’s hypothesis “all that’s old is new again” and that we have much to learn from the past.

Also, if you have never seen a powerpoint presentation with slides drawn entirely by hand, you really need to experience it!

Other Speakers - Too Many to Mention

So, it seems I have already run out of steam describing all the great experiences I had at IDEACon.

But needless to say, there were tons of other great speakers too - among others a landscape designer who worked w/ Frank Gehry, an artist who attempted redefine the idea of “information in space,” and a former architect turned service designer.

I could talk for ages about many of these - but alas, I think that’s enough for today! (I am sure things from other presentations will float up in other topics of discussion on this blog.)

Until then, please think about attending next year - personally, I can’t wait.

(Also, thanks to all who I met, gave my card to, and/or connected w/ on LinkedIN afterward - if you’re reading this message, I sure hope we can “keep in touch.”)