I’ve been using Gimme Bar for the last week, and had to share my first impressions.

Is it really the 5^th greatest Invention?

Gimme Bar claims that it is the 5^th greatest invention, although the idea of sharing your finding via a web medium is nothing new. Fancy, for instance, is a website that I have been using for the past few months. It provides a way in which users can “make a catalog of [their] favorite things around the web and around the world”. Fancy has created a “Fancy It” link that user can add to the bookmark, and use it whenever they see something that they like. However, the functionality is very limited. In fact, it only allows images, and the images have to meet a size requirement in order to be added.

The ability to add any medium is where Gimme Bar shines. You can add images, videos, and texts by simply drag and drop it to the Gimme Bar box.

There is almost no limitation of what you cannot save, except Facebook or any sites that are protected by passwords. (BUT, Gimme Bar works well with Google+ because I have tried it) 

Another advantage is that you can sync your Gimme Bar content to your Dropbox account. You can transfer those save contents (except videos) to your computer.

So is it really the 5^th greatest invention? I am not sure, but it is pretty damn close. Now let’s look at the interface.

Gimme some UI

Gimme Bar has two interfaces:

1. Gimme Bar
2. User’s Gimme Bar library

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via Human Factor International

“Environmentalist” and “Auto-maker” are the two words you hardly use in one sentence. Bill Ford, however, is one individual who can break this rule when you have to describe him.

The main emphasis of his talk is to raise awareness of the traffic issue. Bill Ford explains the rapid growth of population is one of the main culprits of the increasing numbers of cars on our streets. Mr.Ford states the current traffic system will not work in the future as the numbers of cars on the road continue to increase. Hence, he shares his ideas of how to resolve this problem in this talk.

He reminds us that the freedom we have today is due to the invention of cars, and many of us have taken that for granted. If we want to enjoy this freedom in a sustainable way, Bill Ford urges us to address the traffic gridlock problem now.

A talented illustrator who uses a traditional medium with a twist of contemporary approach. Check out his portfolio to see more of his awesome work.

If you have ever watched any Apple’s videos of its products, they are very engaging because the videos have a strong narrative component. Watching the Apple videos is like watching the movie “Objectified” that shows the poetic side of the products. This allows consumers to become emotionally-engaged to the products because they see the design effort that is put into them. Products have become more than just “objects”.

From this, Apple demonstrates itself as an excellent story-teller. It shows its consumers the process of designing its products through engaging stories. Apple is able to communicate these messages without getting into the technicals so that the general consumers can understand them. This is one of the reasons why Apple is able to generate a high level of excitement and interest whenever it is launching a new product. The importance of storytellers in product development is discussed by Sarah Doody on her recent UX’s article. It highlights the disadvantages of  the traditional large corporation structure because teams are “disconnected” and the original vision got lost in the process like the childhood game of “Telephone”. This is the same problem that RIM is facing.

Based on a recent article on Business Insider by an ex-RIM staff , he describes most design decisions are made by the engineers. They are all very capable engineers; however, the lack of involvement and voices from other design teams is immediately a red flag to me (looking at it from a User Experience designer’s perspective). Also, the writer suggests that RIM lacks the understanding of creative process and does not really foster the design culture. It is no wonder why there is no story behind the design if the emphasis of design is not even present. To me, there is no “soul” in any of Blackberry’s devices. There are no emotions involved. Without it, how can RIM expect to generate interest and excitement from the consumers for launching a new product.

You might start to think I am just another Apple fan-boy who is trying to troll RIM. As a matter of fact, it is far from the truth. As I recall, the 8900 Curve is probably one of the best smartphones that I have ever owned. It is a solid, capable communication device. It kept me connected with all my peers (through SMS, emails, BBM) and definitely enhanced my daily work. RIM’s push notification system is still the best in class in regards to reliability and security (I still have my doubts about the new push from Apple as far as reliability goes, not the UI). However, this is the only memorable experience that I can recall.

My experience with Blackberry’s devices illustrates the two problems that RIM is facing:

1. If a better push notification is developed (Apple iOS5 in this case), RIM will lose its appeal since it is a big selling feature for the company.
2. Blackberry’s devices are utilitarian. Its OS and hardware do not have the same “sex appeal” as other smartphones on the market now. This is a subject that is mentioned by the ex-RIM staff who wrote the the BI’s article.

The above reasons show why RIM is having such a difficult time to expand and defend its consumers’ share in the market. RIM can not rely on its push system and expect it will defend its market share. Clearly, this does not work. It is difficult for RIM to build a relationship with its consumers, if the consumers fail to connect with the products emotionally. In today’s competitive smartphone’s market, company can not just rely on features to retain customers and expand their market shares. This strategy is short-living. Customers will leave as soon as there is a replacement (better or close enough).

This is why a carefully designed user experience is so crucial. An enjoyable, consistent, and meaningful user experience will help company to build loyalty from its customers, which is discussed in the article “An Iterative Approach to Innovation Strategy” by Paul Noble-Campbell.

So what’s the future for RIM? I think there is still lots of life in RIM’s future. It needs to focus on its user experience design and takes the necessary action to overcome the challenges that the company is currently facing. The window of opportunity is closing but it is definitely not closed yet.

ICFSBC is doing some great work to help improve the sanitation of India. A great documentary filmed by one of my good friends, Tom Delamere.

Found a series of gorgeous shoes’ illustrations on Rbelion’s blog. Rbelion is also a photographer, a 3D artist, and a graphic designer. Check out the portfolio.

UX Magazine recently posted this article to discuss the skills and knowledge that UX designers must possess for today’s successful experience design. Due to the medium has become a “broad, multiple-platform, always on, multi-context, centre-of-our-universe conduit for information,” experience design has also become more complex.

Aaron Walter, the author and the User Experience Design Lead for MailChimp, explains that UX designers must have a T-shaped understanding of the medium. They need to have a broad understanding of the medium (the x-axis) as well as possess a deep understanding of user science (y-axis). Having the T-shaped understanding will allow the UX designer to see the big picture of the project. However, as Aaron Walter points out, this is not the only reason. He suggests that with today’s ever growing team, “fragmentation of knowledge” leads to “chaos, miscommunication, and ineffective design.” Thus, having a T-shaped understanding will also allow UX designers to be the “translator” and “diplomat” in the team, resolving miscommunication that help move the project forward.

I would like to end the article with a quote by Aaron Walter who summarzie the role UX designers perfectly.

“User experience is not only about seeing the big picture of how our applications and websites are used, but also about how they are made.”  

Vitaly Friedman, the Editor in Chief of Smashing Magazine,  is kind enough to post his presentation slides on Web Design Trend 2011 up on SlideShare. The particular topic that interests me the most is the discussion about the mobile platform. Unfortunately, the content is presented in German so I have to make some educated guess as I am reading it.

From slides 97-99,  Mr.Friedman has shown a few tools that can aid the web designers and developers. Skeleton, one of the tools that my friend Stanley has tweeted a couple days ago, aims to help the web designers and developers to develop sites that will look good in any size: from laptop to mobile smartphones. Mr. Friedman also suggested some websites that can guide the newcomers like myself to the mobile platform . Mobile Patterns, for instance, showcases a collection of current UI from various applications. It is a great reference.

I am writing this post because the growth of smartphone is rapidly increasing. It is no longer enough for web designers to develop great websites for desktops and laptops. The web designer will have to develop great mobile sites as well because the browsers expect the same experience on-the-go. The recent trend of tablets would only push mobile web browsing to another level. Apple iPad exemplifies how it changes the way people experience the web with a different form factor. The shift to the new platform has brought us designers a new medium to explore. This also brings new challenges and restraints that always attach to any design. The “best” design is about balancing the form and the function.

Before writing this article, I have started to ideate for a new design for my portfolio. Now, after reading the presentation slides and discovering Skeleton, my goal is to have  new portfolio that will work across all platforms. I will have to begin to do some research and start some sketches to record my ideas. Wish me luck.