Posts from 2009

It’s important to accrue tactics to cope with the disruption of travelling. Quick currency conversions, self-conscious squints at unfamiliar coins, departure lounge distractions (ask Alain de Botton). In Scandinavia, I’ve learned to open clearly with “Hello” to announce myself as a foreigner, since the local salutation “Hej” is a homophone with informal English equivalents. Copenhagen, [...]

I’ve written a new article for Johnny Holland magazine, and it’s out now. It’s a short essay on the topic of my upcoming EuroIA talk, looking at how technology can improve our geographical models and help us get around. The timing’s pertinent, given the recent public and professional surge in interest in augmented reality. However, [...]

Another speaking gig, and it’s a cracker: my esteemed colleague James Box and I will be presenting The music of interaction design at the Design By Fire conference in Utrecht on 20 October. It’s already looking like a sharp lineup, with Robert Hoekman Jr. and Matt Jones bookending the day. Early bird tickets are now [...]

After you build forty or fifty websites there really isn’t any magic in it. dConstruct’s comfortable niche as the thinking person’s web conference was quickly disrupted by Adam Greenfield’s early remarks. Decrying web and UX design is a risky strategy in a room made largely of web designers and developers, yet it was a thought [...]

Outrage. Ikea recently switched corporate typeface, moving from Futura to Verdana across all their marketing, including their printed catalogue and ads. To typography enthusiasts, this is like Mozart announcing a kazoo concerto. Futura is a type classic, skilfully designed by a master craftsman and demonstrating real artistry. It’s excellent for distinctive identity and brand work [...]

Since Saturday’s UXCampLondon I’ve been thinking about what I took from the experience. One The devil is in the details. With such a discerning audience, we had to offer something well run and as seamless as possible. We succeeded, thanks to accurate estimation of various factors including no shows, time between sessions, budgets, and the [...]

A curious seasonal habit of the web designer is the August Supplication, during which the internet reverberates with the sound of begging, back-scratching and unfettered harlotry. South By Southwest voting. I’m sure it’s a system that works excellently for the organisers. The pleas for votes market the conference, and those who plead well are likely [...]

Busy with final UXCampLondon preparations, so light on time to blog. However, I did manage to find 30 min to be interviewed by Ryan Taylor for his “Please start from the beginning” series: Please start from the beginning… with Cennydd Bowles from Ryan Taylor on Vimeo.