So, here I am, starting a blog. A little late to the party, but meh, what are you gonna do? Despite working on the interwebs for over 12 years now you would think I’d have some golden formula for starting a blog right? You know, that kind of graduated with honors from Hogwarts and can have your site showing up on google by the end of the day, and at the top of results by the weekend kind of magic? Well sorry to disappoint you, no golden formula, just a formula, that regardless of how you work it, the only guaranteed portion of your first post formula is the result – it’s going to suck.

Who…

This is where you let the readers know something about you. What is it about you, that will make the reader want to get to know you or read your blog. We are all pretty horrible judges at these sorts of things, and “Eric Stratton, Rush Chairman” doesn’t exactly do it.

I’ve already written a considerable amount on myself on the about page. Should this be a rehash of that? Probably not.

The clearest way to convey my philosophy, is to share my own personal design principles.

• Less can be innovative
• Simplicity is the standard, allow for complexity
• Embrace flexibility
• Accomplish consistency through success
• Accessibility through exploration
• Cultivate User Confidence
• Champion Inclusiveness

I will revisit each of these in later blog posts.

Why…

So, after over 12 years, why wait until now to start a blog? Don’t we already have enough blogs? Absolutely, and yet…

UI and UX are moving targets. As users evolve, so too should our UI and UX.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the pleasure of putting together some insanely diverse UI’s for what can only be described as an equally diverse user base. The only constant, the users never fail to surprise me. UI and UX are moving targets. As users evolve, so too should our UI and UX. This applies not just to our goals, but our processes as well.

With a little luck, doing this blog will help me grow as a UI/UX designer. Exploring ideas and concepts, and sharing them for what I hope is some productive conversations. We have enough ‘authorities’ or ‘wanna be authorities’, I just want to get better at providing solutions to user related problems.

What…

What will this blog be about? What should the reader expect each time they come back? Will it be nothing but another UI/ UX blog? I hope not.

There are more than enough UI/ UX blogs that discuss the ins-and-outs, and far better qualified people to discuss ‘personas’, user testing, and any of the other methods that are now attached to our field. My intent or goal if you will is to focus more on the overall philosophy of UI/UX. Why are users more likely to click blue? Despite efforts to categorize our users, are we not still the same hunters and gatherers that we’ve always been? There are best practices, but why are they the best practices and have they changed? Anyway, these are just a few of the ideas that I am hoping to tackle and discuss here.

I have a question…

Then by all means, please ask away. Whether you want to post a comment below or feel better asking via twitter, or any of the other options available here. Unlike typical blogs that are more of a soapbox for an individual, I truly hope that at least in this case it is more of an open dialogue. All I ask is that regardless of skill level, everyone respect each others opinions, and promote open and honest dialogue.

I look forward to learning with you.

About James Thompson

James Thompson has been designing great UI/UX for over 20 years. He has designed interfaces to help ranch hands manage herds, and social networks for sports publishing websites like SportingNews.com and LowesRacing.com. James’ work earned a “Best Auction Site” along with a “Best of the Web” mention in Forbes Magazine, was noted in the Media Industry Newsletter for “Uses of Interactivity”, and was awarded “Best Community/Social Networking Site” in 2006 and 2007 for work done on SportingNews.com. Follow James on twitter @pixelneer