All posts with the tag of Design

13th December 2011 by Simon Norris | Simon says

This is the second article in a series I’m writing about meaning. In my previous article I introduced the critical importance of designing for meaning and how it can be applied to help us deliver a superior user experience. Essentially, by focusing on meaning we are centering on the many significant psychological factors that motivate us and engage us at an emotional level.

17th March 2011 by Simon Norris | Web Design

Design is a very complex subject and it has many definitions but one I particularly like is ‘to plan and fashion artistically or skillfully’ (dictionary.com). Design is a highly skillful activity and requires dedication and creativity. Good design is a process and one that is made up of many elements. It is the successful combination of elements that deliver a great design that make it compelling, engaging and ultimately, invisible.

28th February 2011 by Tom Waterhouse | Web Design

A little while ago we released the new Nomensa website! We’re all really proud of it, but it’s certainly gone through some transformations to get to where it is now. Now it’s had some time to settle in, I thought it would be nice to share some of the thinking and initial concepts we went through to get to this point.

25th February 2011 by Michael Harris | User Experience

Don Norman ‘the guru of workable technology’ recently posted an article questioning the concept of simplicity in design, proposing that it is not the ‘answer’ to usability after all, and it is highly overrated. His theory is controversial- not only does it go against the traditional principles of design; it contradicts things he has written about himself in his award winning books design of everyday things and emotional design.

6th December 2010 by Jesús Villanueva | User Experience

Serendipity can help develop new ideas in fields like science and art. These “discoveries by accident” are seen as a powerful tool in creative processes. But how can we design to add serendipity as a feature? How is online serendipity supported?

8th November 2010 by Michael Harris | User Experience

In part one we talked about the ‘heartstrings’; how to engage the user’s emotions and persuade them to help your cause. This part will focus on the ‘purse strings’; how to persuade people to translate this desire to help into an online donation.

8th November 2010 by Michael Harris | User Experience

Persuasion is a subtle art, but an understanding of the psychology of donation can help reap great benefits for your cause. This two-part article explores human nature, caring for and helping others, and how we can use these ideas to design websites which turn viewers into donors. Eight tips for achieving this are embedded within the text and summarized at the end of part two. Part one will focus on emotion…

20th October 2010 by Alastair Campbell | Nomensa thinks

Many of us have been in a situation where you put a design in front of a client and cursed the feedback (afterwards). Even with the best preparation, the best design, the sort of feedback you get can vary wildly and it often feels like you have to go back to the drawing board.

If you toil away in private and plonk the design down in front of them with a "Wadda ya think?", things are likely to go down hill, here’s why.