we are: London

Quick n’ dirty

Creating wireframes and prototypes on a daily basis I like keep an eye pealed for usefull tools to add to the kit. When creating wireframes I like to spend my time thinking. I don’t want ot spend my time wrestiling with an application. I need to translate the picture in my head onto the screen as quickly and easily as possible. Luckily there are some great tools out there for creating both static wirframes and interactive prototypes. One that I came across a while ago is Balsamiq Mockups.

Wireframes are quick to produce and post-it note style widgets can addded

Easy as 1-2-3

Balsamiq Mockups is currently a desktop application but with an online version in private beta. The tool allows users to quickly drag and drop interface elements much in the same style as other more commonly used tools such as Visio or Axure. Balsamiq Mockups would however sit much more within the initial stages of my development process. Its rapid development of ’sketchy’ looking wireframes makes it perfect for throwing together first thoughts. Its quick enough to be a viable option for producing the initial sketches in a clear and neat format that retain the skethcy feel that works so well with paper sketches.

iPhone widgets allow for quick iPhone mock-ups

Tasty features?

There are some tasty features in the Balsamiq Mockups interface.

• A library of 75 interface features such as browser windows, radio buttons and iPhone interface elements.
• Nice snap features allowing users to quickly line up elements within minimal effort and time.
• Usefull post-it note style comments.
• Full screen presentation mode that allows users to present work to clients and collegues.
• Runs on both Mac and PC.

For more information on we are:london’s wireframing and interactive prototyping services please contact hello@WeAreLondon.

Uncategorized, information architecture, interface design, usability design, user centred design, user interface Internet, usability

The Invoice Machine is a web application aimed a helping businesses produce professional looking invoices simply and easily. Hearing about them I took a trip to their website.

The homepage is clear and simple

The homepage

The homepage can be summed up very easily. Clear and simple. This is what struck me as I visited the site. A strong simple hero item with clear calls to action, then some slightly deeper information around ‘Why use it’ and ‘Who is it for’. The homepage not only provides a simple route into the information of the site it answers the questions most users will have when they first visit: ‘What makes this better than anything else?’ and ‘Will this suit my needs?’ Answering these questions upfront will not only help many users decide it is for them without the need to look further but it also gives the site an open and honest feel.

Clearly labelled navigation creates a more usable site

Navigation

Primary navgation is simple and easy to use. Clear calls to action at the foot of pages allow me easy access to the sign-up process.

The use of a table delivers the key information in a easy to interpret way

Content

The content of the site is kept very concise and easy to digest. The tour page contains only a well put together tour video. The pricing page contains simple table outlining the attributes of each price plan. Content is direct, the users are given what they need with no uneccesary information.

Keep it simple

The website as a whole is a good example of how simplicity can lead to a strong and usable website. Users visit a site to get information, a good website needs to identify the key information they are looking for and deliver it in a simple, clear and usable way.

Uncategorized, information architecture, interface design, usability design, user interface Internet, navigation, usability

I have recently been thinking a lot about homepage hero items and had an example brought to my attention. The hero item on Mozy.com brings together many of the ingredients that make a good hero.

• Communicates service benefits - the hero item clearly communicates the service benefits of the site. A bold headline stating the purpose of the service, a key marketing message highlighted and further explanation provided.

• Clear visual hierarchy - A very clear visual hierarchy is used. This allows users to identify the most important information and read only as much information as they require. Some users may not wish to read further than the headline then go straight to an action within the page, while some users may feel the require more information.

• Route into information - The hero item provides a route into information. A user can view the introductory video, They can learn more about the service offered or they can go for gold and sign-up straight away.

• Bold imagery - The imagery used is bold and striking but does not overpower the user or distract from the information presented within the hero item.

Uncategorized, information architecture, interface design, usability design, user interface Internet, navigation, usability

BBC iPlayer infographic

Uncategorized Interactive TV, Internet

We have two exciting new roles available for a promising candidate to join our fast growing usability research and insight team.

Head of research

This is a unique opportunity to shape the direction of the research department of our extremely successful and very exciting digital consultancy.

Full job description

Head of interaction design

A great opportunity to develop our department of brilliant information architects and interaction designers, leading the way in bespoke usable interface design.

Full job description

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Can Microsoft challenge Google?

Crosby

Having just watched the video for Microsoft’s new search engine, Bing, I am rather impressed. Bing seems to cover off many of the actions that a normal punter would make after clicking on a number of links.

For example, search for a flight to London from Hamburg and not only will it find you the cheapest flights but also show when the best time to buy them is, guaranteeing the lowest fare.

Left navigation, back with a vengeance

The next trick in bings box of magic is a left navigation that makes moving around different content quick and easy. So searching for a digital camera, say a Nikon D90, Bing brings back popular searches along with links to reviews, shops, pictures and even manuals, all arranged in a neat left nav.

It’s got a real time suggestion engine so a nice list of drop down choices appear as you type, similar to Google. Maps, images, video and other non-text content seem to fit within the search window nicely too, so searching becomes a lot more visual.

Snake oil or Google beater?

Our vote is still our here are we are:london, mainly due to the fact that until it’s launched for real, it would be foolhardy to judge. But Google’s killer USP was it’s speed and size, as a tech colleague of mine pointed out seven or eight years ago, “it’s (Google) got millions of web pages saved already that you can search through”.

What’s important about this statement is that Google were solving a problem that most had never realised was actually a problem. So will Microsoft’s attempt at improving the search experience be enough to topple Google and will they have a simple and effective paid search service that can be used by massive firms or individuals to the same ends?

Time will tell, but in a lot of ways I hope it is as good as the hype, mainly due to the fact that we have been working on a travel search system that is very similar and will therefore hopefully see the average web customer happy to search in a whole new way.

Uncategorized future, Microsoft, Search, usability

After: Drink Coke. Any questions?

Before: typographic mayhem.

We are:london are keen observers of the nuances of design and love a good design debate. ‘Helvetica’ – a documentary on the classic typeface from Gary Huswit provides both. The main theme of the documentary is that the ubiquity of the typeface may be its downfall.

The documentary presents a history of the typeface, creators, context and dissenters. Most interesting is the debate of Helvetica as the typeface of modernism and a backlash postmodernist movement who explore typography for artistic expression or just to say more than the words.

In the documentary, graphic designer Michael Bierut contrasts the directness of Helvetica in a coke advert - “Drink Coke. Period! Any questions? No!” with the ideologyless no-man’s lands of postwar advertising. David Carson displays his 4AD album sleeves and a Bryan Ferry interview set in webdings, a non-alphabetic character set and basically unreadable.

It’s an indulgently narrow subject matter. Watch the film and then marvel at how often you see Helvetica in use.

Gary Huswits new film ‘Objectified’ is a documentary about “our complex relationship with manufactured objects” shows at the Barbican from the 22rd May.

Blog, Uncategorized, interface design Design, typography

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Kelsey Smith as Strategy Director.

Kelsey brings 15 years of front-line digital experience in user experience research, design and strategy. Kelsey joins we are after 6 years at Flow Interactive.

In his words: “I jumped at the opportunity to join we are:london. I’m impressed by the quality of their services, their professionalism and progressive attitude…and they’re a fine bunch of people to work with.”

Kelsey’s background is design. He studied product design alongside MD Chris Averill before gaining an MA at the RCA. Kelsey then turned his hand to digital design - creating web products for News International, Bertelsmann Media and The Independent.

Following an MSc in Human Computer interaction he joined Flow, helping them to grow from a 9 to 40+ person organization.

Kelsey brings diverse research and design experience and wide private and public sector domain knowledge.

Feel free to pop in and say hello.

Uncategorized Our news

The National Archives created a framework agreement with highly experienced, customer focused suppliers to provide market research and usability services.

Following a successful two part qualification process, we are:london were shortlisted to provide a full range of services. This includes quantitative, qualitative research, user testing and evaluation and product and service development. We have just embarked on our first project, conducting remote testing and fieldwork research with the Archives’ visitors and look forward to working with the internal teams in the next four years.

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Twitter your way to saving lives!

Red Nose Day

To celebrate this years Red Nose Day we are loosing our email and replacing it with Twitter. Support us on Friday 13th by sending us a Tweet @wearelondon rather than emailing us.

For every email replacement Tweet we will donate 10p to Red Nose Day.

If you like you can donate at our page too www.myrednoseday.com/wearelondon

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