shufflehacks: too cool for words

shufflehacks
dedicated to hacking, modding, and pimping the hoo-ha out of the iPod shuffle
http://shufflehacks.blogspot.com/

Design for All Conversation

Last week, Jen from UnBeige was kind enough to post a link to the Deborah Adler ClearRx Interview that I did. In her post she mentions Target's Design for All sub site. I had been there before, but I had never seen what she was commenting on. So I went back for a second look and still couldn't find it. (Now I get where the button is, but I don't think it was clear enough at the time)

Ted Metcalfe, a Creative Director at R/GA e-mailed me a direct link to the site. If you visit http://designforall.target.com/#feat:|ClearRx| you will be able to view what I had been missing. I've never been a huge fan of flash, however I think there's a lot of potential with what R/GA has done with Target.

I haven't seen Google and flash play that nicely together yet, though I hear that they may soon be a thing of the past. Wouldn't it be interesting if Google could convert sound into searchable and indexable info? In the meantime, it might be helpful to make transcript of Deborah's full talk in html text that is indexable and searchable. If someone Google's ClearRx and comes along to that transcript, chances are good that they would be interested in seeing the flash at Target. At that point, have a direct url that would send them to http://designforall.target.com/#feat:|ClearRx|

Debbie Millman Presentation

On Thursday, March 31st, 2005, the Alberta North chapter of the Graphic Designers of Canada hosted Debbie Millman of Sterling Brands in New York. Debbie visited to present “Design Stories from New York”. You can view the entire video presentation HERE

Debbie Millman is the managing partner and president of the design division at Sterling Group, one of the US's leading brand identity firms. She has been there for nearly ten years and in that time she has had the distinct fortune of working with such amazing clients as Gillette, Unilever, Kraft, MTV, Star Wars, the NBA, Pepsi and Campbell's.

Deborah Adler ClearRx Interview

Mid April of this year, New York Magazine published a fascinating article on the redesign of the pill bottle that Target would soon be using. Finding the process interesting I posted a small blurb about the New York Magazine article here on my blog. Soon afterwards I was getting a lot of interest through google from pharmaceutical companies, universities, research centers and other curious people and designers. Interested myself I searched for more info. Unfortunately I couldn't find much more on the redesign myself so I contacted Deborah for an interview. Below are the questions I had about the redesign and her responses.


Photo credit: Davies + Starr

MICHAEL SURTEES: From the story in New York Metro magazine, it was written that your grandmother accidentally swallowed pills meant for your Grandfather. How did you turn that issue into something that could be a thesis project for SVA?

DEBORAH ADLER: I grew up in a family of doctors, so the world of medicine has always been a strong interest of mine. It was important for me to develop an idea that had substance and would have meaning to my life. When my grandmother made the mistake, it became clear that I had an opportunity to develop an idea that was both close to me and satisfied my need to do something that would in some–way help others.

MS: How common is the issue of people taking wrong medication due to not understanding the label? How did you research the problem?

DA: It is not such an easy statistic to find. It actually took me a while to learn that errors made at home are indeed a contributing factor to medication errors at large. It was important for me to have a lot of information to back me up because I wanted it to live beyond my final thesis presentation. I did not want to do this unless there was a real need for it. I did most of my research by calling experts, reading books and studies, and searching the internet. People seem to be more receptive to students. It turns out that approximately 60 percent of Americans don’t take their medication correctly.

MS: There's the issue that bad design can harm people, did your design process evolve as you worked on the project? How did you go about designing a new understandable label?

DA: My main priority was to create a labeling system that makes the medication user’s experience less confusing. I formed an intuitive label that is divided into two categories, primary and secondary. The primary information reflects exactly what the patient wants to know first. The name of the drug, its purpose, dosage and how to take it. The secondary information contains expiration, quantity, name of the doctor, how to reach him, etc. It also includes the drug store, the refill number and the dispensing date.

Information Hierarchy—(order, position, type size, contrast, leading, alignment and choice of typefaces) is another important factor to a functional and clear label.

These two elements coupled with the consumer’s point of view is crucial to the success of the labels legibility. It will also make drug safety information easier for doctors to find in a short amount of time. Not only did I want the labels to be functional and easy to understand, but it interested me that by understanding adult schemas for taking medication ,the label has the possibility of increasing memory.

MS: While working on the project, was there a moment when you thought you could turn the thesis into a working model that millions of people could benefit from?

DA: Yes. I just wasn't sure how to get there.

MS: How involved were you with the process for the re-design of the bottle by Klaus Rosburg? Was it collaborative?

DA: Klaus and I worked closely together to ensure the synergy of the label with the bottle. Klaus's challenge was to design a medicine bottle, with a child safety cap, which incorporated my initial ideas: color coding, the patient info card, having a front and a back, and being able to see the whole label without turning it in a circle. His contributions were significant in that his innovative shape elevated the level of communication between the bottle and the patient as well as elegantly streamline the new system.

MS: Thank you for your time Deborah!

Firefox's guerilla marketing

More collaborative marketing through word of mouth. The latest guggle comes from wired.com - Fans Flock to Firefox Flix reports about the 50 million downloaded commercial.

The multi-branded store and eBay

Brandchannel.com reflects on a couple brand collaborations. From designers working for H&M, to Puma and it's boutique store to Nike and eBay. The motivation seems not so much driven by growth, but for crossover and innovation reasons.
Read HERE

Fête de la Reine

From Wikipedia: Victoria Day is a Canadian Statutory Holiday celebrated on the Monday on or before May 24 in honour of Queen Victoria's birthday. In Quebec it is referred to as National Patriotes Day (Journée nationale des patriotes), which commemorates the English-Canadian and French-Canadian Patriotes of the Rebellion of 1837.

...This is the first of the summer long weekends in Canada, and is known colloquially as "May two-four weekend". The phrase has two meanings, the first, of course, is the fact that it usually falls around May 24, and secondly, those who celebrate will often get together to drink beer (a two-four is a case of 24 bottles of beer.) Note that the holiday may be referred to as "May two-four" even if it falls as early as May 18.

the INTERESTING thoughts of EDWARD MONKTON

We can all FLY as
HIGH as the DREAMS
we DARE to LIVE

unless we are a chicken

thanks for the Monkton link Tina

Text to Speech, Text Reader Software - Will Typography Still be Relevant?

As I listened to Gerry Leonidas talk tonight, it allowed me to focus on my process and confirm the direction that my compass is pointed. Playing the what if scenarios game in my head as the questions slowly trickled out of the audience, I asked Gerry if typography will be relevant if text reading software hits mainstream. What if everyone stopped reading and just listened? Will there be a role for the typographer? He answered the question as someone that is distrustful of technology would expect, you base the process on a methodology and transfer what you know to the new medium. Ok, he may not have said it exactly like that, but that's what I have in my notes.

With that complete, it's time to finish off a couple books and update the main site over the weekend.

TMN's 2005 Editors’ Awards for Online Excellence

There's a cluster of sites that will need a bit of time to peruse.
www.themorningnews.org

Marc Brisbourne: Collaborative construction of diagrams for higher-order thinking

Providing a framework to help medical students diagnose patient cases.

Marc Brisbourne
MDes Visual Communication Design

Opening Reception: Thursday, May 26, 7 pm to 10 pm
Exhibition dates: May 24-June 4, 2005
University of Alberta, Edmonton

This exhibition is the final visual presentation for the degree of
Master of Design in Visual Communication Design

------------------------------------------------------------

Abstract

Medical students require higher-order thinking skills to diagnose patient cases. In order to develop expert clinical reasoning skills, students require instructional support; however, activities explicitly facilitating the development of such skills are often overlooked in problem-based learning tutorials. Collaboratively constructed diagrams could provide a framework where students can identify, analyse, interpret and evaluate information from a patient case to develop a diagnosis. A paper prototype for a diagram construction toolkit was developed and tested with 13 students and 4 instructors. Data was collected and analysed to determine if medical students, with no formal visual training, can construct meaningful diagrams of a patient case when they are provided the right tools, and if the constructions can demonstrate tasks associated with higher-order thinking. Suggestions for modifications to create a computer-based version are recommended and future research opportunities are presented.

IDANDA

IDANDA.NET is an online creative magazine showcasing international work from design, advertising, fashion, architecture (and more).

All that and the nav is pretty cool...

fyi, SU covered it two years ago. There's no better time like the present to take a second look.

Single Transferable Vote

No comment, just a quote with a link - this is not a joke:

"Instead of marking an "X" beside one name, voters would number candidates from most favourite to least favourite (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.).

If you select candidates in order of preference, your ballot may count towards one or more candidates being elected. The big difference between BC-STV and the current system is how your vote is counted."

Read more about the B.C. referendum HERE

via Fell

Why is Wilco getting so much play?

It seems Wilco is getting quoted every couple weeks on that interweb. Ya their tunes are great, and I'm still listening to their albums on a regular basis (almost as much as R.E.M.). But it seems that they're turning into this weird symbol for technology/music. If they were electronica I could possibly by the argument. Ironically though, they sound as great acoustically as they do with power - maybe that's the point.

The latest blog blessing comes from World Changing

The original blessing that caught my attention a couple weeks ago came from kottke The excerpt was from "Who Own's Culture". What struck me was a potential word swaps written below.

Original Quote: Tweedy: "Music is finished in the audience". He credited the audience with 50% ownership in the creation of a musical piece...the creator is not much until someone listens to the music they've created.

Swap Quote #1: "Advertising is finished in the audience". He credited the audience with 50% ownership in the creation of a message...the advertiser is not much until someone acts on to the message they've created.

Swap Quote #2: "Real design is understood the audience". He credited the audience with 100% ownership in the comprehension of a message...the designer is not much until someone acts on the the directions they've understood.

Money versus modernism in the Edmonton landscape

An interesting thing is happening in Edmonton, design and architecture are starting to find a new found respect in the media. Last month, Avenue magazine dedicated a whole issue to design while the current issue of the Edmontonians has featured architecture. Rant: typically design in the media is really about industrial design, more work has to be done to get graphic design on the radar. Is it because graphic design is not about consumption like industrial design?

One article not to miss is from the Edmontonians is Steven Smyth's: Less is More, Money versus modernism in the Edmonton landscape. You can read it HERE

VANOC 2010 Logo Contest

Marian Bantjes has published a relevant article reflecting on the VANOC 2010 logo contest at SpeakUp.
And the Winner is …

Swanksigns

Is a site dedicated to the art of mocking public works as it's described on it's site. People are encouraged to send their images of miscommunication. Warning: the site loads extremely slow at times
www.swanksigns.org

via Robert L. Peters

GDC Listserv Beta Archive

I've been waiting a long time for this, the GDC Listserv finally has a web archive again!
http://www.gdc.net/community/archives.php

What's that good vs. great thing about? and don't even ask the question of what's quality.

Ironically those truths keep popping up and there's a story that shed's more light on the subjects. Ya, it's an old story - but the review has nothing to do with bs.

http://www.headbutler.com/books/zen_moto.asp

Friday Reading

A couple articles I keep referring to, good for a Friday read: BRAIN CANDY and The Internet Tail Will Come to Wag the Magazine Dog and Debating Pop Culture

Gerry Leonidas Lecture Review

The study of typography design is one of passion and respect for history. For it is that understanding of the past that the opportunity to take advantage of today’s technology is founded. Gerry Leonidas spoke of those ideals eloquently at the University of Alberta tonight. Gerry teaches typography and typeface design in the Department of Typography & Graphic Communication at the University of Reading, England. The University of Reading is one of the most respected schools for those passionate about type.

Gerry discussed what it means to be a student at the University of Reading. How often is it that students can view one of only two hand crafted maps of the London Underground, and then have the opportunity to discuss it with the owner of the map? That is but one reward for understanding the value of what you have in front of you.

The core of the talk was a broad review of how technology is shaping the output of typography. Between Unicode and open type, he showed examples of what is being done today. As with technology that is interest to typographers - Microsoft, Adobe and even Apple were mentioned.

It quickly became apparent that the design of typography is more than just designing display faces. It is that year round dedication at the University of Reading that students make something of value. It seems that technology has the chance to right a lot of wrongs that designers disregard in terms of typographic tradition. It is that learning and respect for the history of typography that allows those special few to continue the craft.

Gerry Leonidas Lectures in Edmonton

University of Alberta
Department of Art and Design
2 LECTURES

Gerry Leonidas
www.leonidas.org
Thursday, May 12, 5:00 pm,
Room 2-20 Fine Arts Building

'Once more, with feeling!'

The usual questions: who needs another typeface? And who will buy it? What happened to typeface design in the last ten years or so (and why is this important?) How has making, and using typefaces changed, and what can we expect in the next few years? Why should anyone pay to be taught it? And the big one: how can you make a good living off typeface design?

------------------

Thursday, May 19, 5:00 pm,
Room 2-20 Fine Arts Building

'"The designers are off snowboarding" -- re-defining design practice around explicit processes'

So you call yourself a designer. What was it that you do exactly? Was this what you set out to do in the first place? And do your clients share your perception? Professionals in this field we bundle under "communication design" already missed one opportunity to get the word out. It's high time the discussion migrated permanently from the lecture halls to client meetings and "About us" pages. Here's a shortlist of things to take into account.

Stand Tall

If only every member of the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC) could attend one National AGM. If they did, I think they would become members for life. The number of new friends I met in Winnipeg that share the same passion is very tough to put into words. Hmm, next National GDC AGM is in Edmonton, coincidence I think not - stay tuned for info on an event worthy of celebrating 50 years.

Subsystence V

The fifth volume of Subsystence is up and running. Take a spin and explore what it has to offer.
www.subsystence.net

2005 GDC National AGM

Where did a year go? It doesn't seem that long ago that the last AGM in Victoria was held. The next GDC National Annual General Meeting is May 6th and 7th in Winnipeg at the Fort Garry Hotel.

Last year was my first year attending, and as President of the Alberta North Chapter I had to present our chapters report. This year I'll be doing that along with presenting a plan for succession planning. 2004 was a great year to be a GDC member in Alberta North. There were great speakers, development seesions and an enthusastic executive. 2005 has already started with a bang and the rest of the year is going to be pretty interesting.

Below are my notes on succession planning. If you find yourself reading this and have any suggestions on how to improve it, please e-mail me at michael [at] michaelsurtees.com

Succession Planning
(Develop tools/ training/ incentives)

1. CREATE JOB DESCRIPTIONS AT LOCAL LEVEL

President
·assumes role of lead represen-tative for the Chapter and the profession locally, provincially and nationally
·works with and oversees all executives and committee directors to ensure consistent, appropriate activity and progress is achieved and goals are met
·chairs monthly executive meetings with Secretary
·represents the Chapter on the National Council and submits full chapter report at the National AGM
·liaises with other Chapters and National Council and relays news and information to membership through appropriate channels
·maintains communication (with Association Liaison) to other design associations and to federal and provincial government officials
·responds to media enquires and/or directs them to appropriate executives or committee director
·makes him/ herself available to members to address their issues, concerns or questions
·promotes the key roles of design
·leads the executive in developing its vision and strategy and in successful implementation of programmes, working with key partners in business, education and government.
·works with the executives to decide how the GDC works towards its strategic objectives, as well as representing the organization in public
·works to promote the exchange of information, views, and research
·contribute to design education - theory, practice and research
·coordinate matters of professional practice and conduct

Past-President
·acts as an advisor and mentor to all executives and committee directors
·acts as an advisor and mentor to all executives and committee directors
·is the principal source of continuity in procedures & programs, contributing to the medium and long term goals, ties with relevant organizations and contact with the government
·chairs executive meetings in the absence of the President

President Elect (Vice-Chair)
The intention of the Vice Chair is to take on the position of President after the President has stepped down. The Vice-Chair may continue with other VP positions before becoming President. The Vice Chair learns the roles of the president and commits to follow and help the President.

2. ESTABLISH AND COMMUNICATE CLEAR ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
·minimum of two years on board as a VP or other suitable experience
·preferably MGDC or FGDC status in good standing
·a recommendation for discussion: LGDC members in good standing can be nominated for president

2B. GUIDELINES FOR A NOMINATION COMMITTEE
·one executive member and 2 or 3 non exec members (to recruit potential candidates and communicate requirements)
·possible criteria guidelines: the nature of their practice, their previous contributions to the GDC & design community and the priorities the board has adopted for new initiatives
·of those qualified candidates who were nominated and willing to serve and would be equally qualified, the chosen candidates should meet the criteria and fit best with the immediate priorities facing the organization
·provide ballots to have an opportunity to recommend candidates for next year1s nominating committee.

3. IDENTIFY EXTERNAL RESOURCES
·national executive members , business peers, books and minutes for advice, reference, mentoring
·Robert1s Rules
·Editorial publications like Applied Arts, Print, Communication Arts, Graphis, ID, How among others
·other design and advertising clubs and organizations,
·IABC and paper companies for their help in co-hosting and planning events
·www.icograda.org
·http://hrdc.gc.ca
·http://strategis.gc.ca
·http://www.ic.gc.ca
·http://www.volunteer.ca
·The AIGA, the British Design Council and Australian Graphic Design Association
·Feedback the from the general membership

4. Staggered Succession
Elections for president should be held every two years. This allows chapters new presidents to be elected on years when National does not have an election.

5. ADDITIONAL CONCEPTS
·provision to supply tools and records to successors
·each board rep or committee chair should maintain a binder that includes all correspondence and other records related to what occurred during their term, meeting minutes too, and most importantly procedures for specific tasks that will be repeated by others, or used as a model
·a time line: this should outline a year and the things that must be done and when as part of the job. Their binder would also have a list of contacts and contact records, notes on what each target is likely to respond to, negotiation tactics, etc.

6. SPECIAL THANKS TO PEOPLE THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THIS DOCUMENT:
·Peggy Cady and Gwen Hetherington
·Brock Piper, Catherine Garden, Craig Medwyduk, David Coates, Dean Kulbida, Dean McNeill, Evan Kuz, Karen Brown, Laurie Darrah, Matt Warburton, Matthew Allen, Paul Nishikawa, Randy Hergott, Rebecca Gerein, Robert L. Peters, Sylvia Rigakis and Walter Jungkind

P O S T E R S, P o s t e r s, posters

Jason A. Tselentis over at Speak Up has started a movie posters post that has some nice visuals. Along with the post, there's a lot of images uploaded from people commenting. Some of the additional links include Corey Holms stuff, a blog on movie posters, another collection of vintage movie posters, The Art of The Poster, another gallery by year and a personal collection.

Yes, it's Hilton Inc.

As much as this pains me to post, NYT has an interesting article on Hilton Inc. It frames her business context in a manner that does make sense. Maybe everything isn't a coincidence - but the skeptical would have already figured that out a while ago.

"If you want to make fun of yourself and play into the whole stereotype, then why not? I have a hit show," she said. "Obviously I know what I'm doing."

The Living Lexicon

Sure, you can use google as a way to figure out if you spelled a word correctly. There's Wikipedia, a living encylopedia that people can contribute and edit. It also just happens to be bigger then the Encyclopædia Britannica. BUT there's only one source that makes all this info interesting. Words and ideas that you couldn't even imagine. You can find all this and more at UrbanDictionary.com Use the random button to find gems like this:

Stamos
An exclamation of extreme displeasure, comperable to damnit. Can be combined with other words to emphasize distress.

Derived from episodes 12 and 13 of "Clone High", in which John Stamos steals prom king from the principal.

"Stealth field, sucks to be you!"
"STAMOS!!!"

"That city will never close."
"Sta-fucking-mos."

Source: Baity, Nov 5, 2004

People are encouraged to add a definition, add an image or add sound. The idea seems pretty interesting and is a good companion to the book Word Craft.