Tag Archives: Information Architects

Friday Links: Storm Trooper camera, Merlin Mann on creativity, and choosing the right CMS

• A Designer Takes on His Biggest Challenge Ever | Fast Company
  “It is a radical notion, in its way: the idea that creativity can be summoned at will, with a process not unlike the scientific method. That contradicts what most people — including the 50 students sitting mesmerized before him — have always thought. "That to be creative, an angel of the Lord appears and tells you what to do," Kelley says, laughing."
• The Web Celeb 25 – Forbes.com
  I've only heard of 13 of them. That makes me feel better about myself. You'll notice I did not make the list
• Super Bowl Ad Drive Leads to Brand Sites
  “Thirty percent of respondents who plan to watch the game said seeing the telecast's commercials makes them more likely to visit an advertiser's Web site.”
• Merlin's Talk, "Toward Patterns for Creativity" | 43 Folders
  I have become a Merlin Mann fangirl. I know, I know, I'm a little late to the party, but I made it.
• Little tweaks make big money
  Changing the name of a button helps a company rake in loads of money. Amazing, isn't it?
• What I Learned About Information Architecture From Watching Bad Movies
• Chemicals, not climate led to superior Stradivari violins – Ars Technica
• Facebook Lets Advertisers Poll Its Users – ClickZ
• 26 years, 85 Notebooks
• Pentax unveils the Storm Trooper of the DSLR world – Ars Technica
• How To Choose The Right CMS | Webdesigner Depot

Friday Links: On CSS, Information Architects, and MacGyver

Read, Write, Web has a great post about a study that has found casual Internet use is good for kids. If you’re so inclined you can read the report, Living and Learning with New Media.

I really liked the 37signals piece on Defensive Design and anticipating where your customers/clients might slip-up and designing so that when they do slip-up it doesn’t have serious repercussions.

Ad Freak is enamored with Colle + McVoy’s new take on the Minnesota Lottery drawings.

The 90-9-1 Principle is about how users tends to participate in online social communities. The overarching theory is that 90% of the people lurk, 9% will add to something already created, and 1% actually do the creation. Interesting reading. [via]

Three Minds asks what’s next for Information Architects?

Web Controversy of the Week: Moms vs. Motrin. I don’t know about you, but I love this kind of stuff. It fascinates me on so many levels. First of all, I am surprised that people are paying such close attention to Motrin’s Web site. Second, I think this is a lesson in how fast a community can organize, especially when you piss off the moms. Third, it gives anyone who works in or with the media a real-life example of how to deal with a very public backlash against you.

It’s Friday, have a little fun, watch 100 movies spoiled in under five minutes. Warning, there are spoilers. This reminds me of that one Threadless t-shirt (sadly, it’s sold out).

Feeling a little MacGyvery? Try to make your own speakers using a few paper cups and some ear buds.

Speaking of, the Vitamin piece “Tables: The next evolution in CSS Layout” compares Web designers to modern-day MacGyvers.

Okay, I saw this all over the Internet this week, but it took me until like the sixth mention to actually watch the video. It’s a viral marketing video for Guitar Hero featuring a a kid playing “Prisoner of Society” by The Living End on his bike. You have to watch to understand it. It’s pretty cool (even if it is a big ol’ advertisement).

So what were you reading on the Internet this week?