Less is more

Fascinating research looking at whether cell phone bans actually affect accident rates (they don't, evidently.) But what's really interesting about the article is the discussion about distraction.

When we design an interfaces, whether they are for web applications or car dashboards, we think about the user. What information is most important, allowing the user to complete the most important task, and what isn't? What information is relevant at which points in a task sequence, and how can the interface scale on demand, providing more information or functionality only when it is needed?

As readily as those commenting on this article confuse anecdotes with statistical reality, designers can fall into the trap that just one more piece of information or interesting interface something-or-other adds to the experience. Testing will almost certainly demonstrate that less is more.

As an anecdote (aha!) we recently conducted a four-cell test on variations of a page for AddThis. Sure enough, the simplest page increased conversion (the user completed the primary task) by a very large and statistically significant amount.

Fewer distractions are good, and simple works. For a great discussion of this phenomena, check out The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz.

So, bringing this back to driving: please, the next time you're behind the wheel, hang up the phone, put down the map, and stay out of the passing lane unless you're passing. That last one has little to do with distraction, but makes me crazy.

Less is more.

Study: Distractions, not phones, cause car crashes | Signal Strength - CNET News

The iPad and Flash

There's been a lot of discussion about the lack of Flash support on the upcoming iPad, and the impact on users' browsing experiences. There's a synopsis of the issue over at PC World, and many other blog posts and articles discussing the issue.

Over on the Flash Blog, they took a simpler, dare I even say Apple-like approach, and distilled the issue down to a graphic. As my friend Justin Thorp said over on Twitter, "Ouch."

Flash has become so integrated into the larger browsing user experience, the lack of support for it on a device intended to provide the ultimate browsing experience is painful. On a positive note, the conflict has at least reduced the jokes about the product name.

The Flash Blog » The iPad provides the ultimate browsing experience?

The iPad, and Sketching User Experiences

There's been a lot of discussion about the iPad among the design team at Clearspring – who will get one, the features we like, how we can trick the powers that be to get one for us (kidding, Hooman!) My partner in crime Jeff Wong wrote a blog post about his reactions to the iPad, and I'll probably write something more later, however I came across a link this morning that I thought I'd mention.

As an interface designer, one of the applications that immediately came to mind was collaborative sketching and wireframing, which would suggest something like a stylus. Steve Jobs mentioned this in his speech ("oh hell no", or somesuch) but most folks figured a third party would come up with one anyway. Yesterday, PC Magazine posted an article about Pogo releasing a stylus, with speculation that another would be quickly forthcoming specifically for the ipad.

So we shall see; there's the obvious issue of how easy it is to lose a stylus, although if I can keep track of my pen and my socks, I suspect the problem is surmountable.  I'd probably just clip it to Apple's nifty multipurpose iPad Case (scroll down that page, it's towards the bottom.)

[Ed. As an aside, check out the little thumbnails of this jacket-case: Apple hasn't said much about this accessory, but note how this case doubles as a viewing stand, and typing stand, addressing one of the usability issues brought up about how it would be hard to type on the iPad when the back is beveled and it is sitting on a hard flat surface. Another point for Apple: solving problems with elegant simplicity. I just hope it can stand up to everyday use... better buy two.]

So, would you use a stylus? Will you buy one of these? Wait for second generation? What feature or accessory is on your wishlist?

Redesigning the undesigned

I find myself in a similar position to this fellow- I've more or less stripped away all styling from this blog with the intention of developing a new CSS treatment Whenever I Get Around To It (ah, that magical time.)

This is a collection of thoughts and ideas as he underwent his redesign process; look for some nice discussion about typography as well. Enjoy-

Simon Collison | Redesigning the undesigned

What Apple Needs to Do to Make Its Tablet a Success

This interview from PC Magazine contains some interesting thoughts around user experience and devices like the iPhone, iPod, the Newton (remember that?!) and whatever Apple may or may not be announcing tomorrow. Look for discussion around designing devices like a "tablet" for creative professionals, versus something akin to an iPhone with a different form factor for more of a consumer audience... and should it have a phone? A fun read.

What Apple Needs to Do to Make Its Tablet a Success

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Internet 2009 in numbers

Fascinating statistics gathered from various sources around the Web.

Internet 2009 in numbers | Royal Pingdom

The killer app for Apple’s tablet: Gaming?

The rumors and speculation are relentless- what's *your* killer app for the Apple Tablet?

The killer app for Apple’s tablet: Gaming

The Urgent and the Important

Normally I wouldn't be posting a link about politics in a blog about design and user experience, but in this interview with Hillary Clinton and Henry Kissinger, Mr. Kissinger many an observation about priorities that stayed with me. I'm sure this observation has been made before, but here's an excerpt:

"One of the problems of government is to separate the urgent from the important and make sure you're dealing with the important and don't let the urgent drive out the important."

As someone who has spent much of his professional career as both a designer and a design manager at the same time, I've found this is a daily challenge when it comes to people and project management. There will always be temporary crises, unreasonable deadlines that can't be negotiated around, difficult clients. Allowing yourself or your team to be constantly reactive is a trap can prevent you from moving forward what's important. The adrenaline can be addictive, but will drain a team of it's passion and creativity.

I've read in the past that Google allows employees to set aside a certain amount of time for personal projects. Personally, I try to keep creative projects in the mix when planning my team's work so there are outlets for artistic expression. What do you do to help prevent the urgent from driving out the important?

Read more from Hillary Clinton and Henry Kissinger about the job of Secretary of State on Newsweek.com