The Wilson Project

Another Blog Entry for CDG’s Book Club

On the train back from NYC last Sunday (8/22), I got a chance to write not only the last blog entry (26.08.2001) but also one for CDG. In this case, it is the third CDG Book Club review. The book was Jeremy Keith’s HTML5 For Web Designers, a brief intro into the hottest topic on the web – HTML5.

To buy this book – go to A Book Apart

Interview with the author Jeremy Keith from The Big Web Show (5/7/10) – http://5by5.tv/bigwebshow/2

BTW – The author will be in Washington, DC for An Event Apart conference on September 17th. Unfortunately, the conference has been sold out for months. However, there are some tickets still available for the one day workshop on Saturday, September 19th for HTML5/CSS3 with Ethan Marcotte.

Tagged as html, html5, javascript, web development.

Why Design Now?

Last week, I finally escaped DC for NYC. Got the chance to finally see the Cooper-Hewitt Museum, which is part of the large Smithsonian family. This museum’s focus is on design, whether functional or artistic. I got the chance to look at the exhibit Why Design Now? – part of the National Design Triennial.

This exhibit reminds me of MoMA’s Design and the Elastic Mind a few years ago but on a smaller scale. In this case, the various themes were grouped into areas such as communication, mobility, and energy. I was very interested in the Materials section, looking at some very beautifully crafted items made with processes that had little environmental impact. For example, packaging or dishware that used local materials (paper/plant material) while being easily biodegradable. And then, there are the eyeglasses…

I spend most of the day at the museum, soaking in all the design and getting recharged again after three months of work. Anyways, the exhibit is open until 1/9/2011. Enjoy.

Tagged as Cooper-Hewitt Museum, Design, interaction design, NYC, usability, user experience, user interface, UX.

Moving Day

After a week of back-and-forth emails, the move is complete. (Yes!)

Why did it take so long? Three domains, one account.

Fortunately, the personnel at the hosting company were able to work out one minor glitch that finally put everything into place.

But the more important question: Why move from Windows to Linux server?

First, the new CMS I am using (Symphony) operates in the familiar LAMP environment. But with this project, came a change in focus for The Wilson Project. Basically, I wanted to do more experimental/open-source concepts, exactly the basis of the Charles project.

More importantly, the last vestiges of Athena (Gamma TWP) were removed. This was built in 2003 with ColdFusion (Windows only). So once this was gone, so was the need for keeping this site on a Windows server.

So everything has been set up for my needs. The beta site is currently holding the baseline install of Symphony 2.1.1. This, of course, will be the workspace for the Charles site (and still hoping for a January 2011 launch).

Beyond Charles, I have one blog entry for CDG and finally start work on The Information Layer for this blog next month.

Tagged as Charles/TWP, Linux, Windows.

Call Me Regent (or What’s In A Name?)

Next week, I am going to move this site to Linux server.

Not a hard process – its just a little more complex in my case since it will involve domain(s) names, file transfers, and dealing with Linux/Window server (well if you dealt with both you know what I mean). But since I am here and I made an important decisions two weeks ago, I might as well talk about it.

The “it” being…what’s up with the name “Charles”?

Click here – Table/Site Versions

The name Charles refers to Charles Darwin, whose bicentennial was in 2009, the same year the project started in March. It also added some inspiration because of the introduction of new ideas and concepts that slowly gestated and altered during the course of the project.

But the best thing about working on these projects is that it is sort of like my own research lab. It is where I get to try out new ideas before doing in the real world.

One part research scientist, one part Olympic athlete.

As for this version, I decided two weeks ago to name this version “Regent” because of its transitory nature. Unlike “H3”, it was never meant to be a final version and was always going to be more of a functional placeholder for the upcoming Charles.

And there it is.

Tagged as Charles Darwin, Charles/TWP, CSS, CSS3, html, html5, TWP, ui, web development, xhtml.

Mental Steeplechase / Hurdle IA

After a some thought and some revisions, I decided that the homepage will take on the blog lister template. This caused the following changes in the primary navigation:

1. Changed primary navigation with addition of “Home” link
2. Changed “Information” with “About”
3. Replacement of “Blog” (main blog page) with “Blog Links” (gray section below containing Blogroll, Archives, and Meta)
4. Switched order of “Social Media” and “Blog Links”

An additional change was the addition of the site byline to the header.

As of today, this was the final substantial change to the look and feel of the Charles site. After almost a year and three concepts, Charles has its look and now I can move forward toward Charles’ completion in 1/1/2011.

Next steps:

1. Complete HTML5 code templates
2. Move TWP site from Windows to Linux server
3. Start initial steps/planning for CMS configuration

Tagged as Charles/TWP, Design, front-end, TWP.

Mental Steeplechase / Hurdle I

First screenshots of Delta TWP “Charles” site (with the exception of the homepage)

Tagged as Charles/TWP, Design, front-end, TWP.

On The Road Again…

In the fall, I will be attending two conferences within a span of a month.

First, on September 16-18, attending the DC edition of An Event Apart conference, led by Jeffery Zeldman and et. al.

Then two weeks later, on October 4-6, attending the Future of Web Apps conference in London, UK.

Lots to see and learn.

Tagged as conference, CSS, front-end, html, javascript, usability, user interface, web development, xhtml.

Back from Vacation

Re-entered the country on Memorial Day, after some relaxing (and wet) days in Vancouver, Canada.

Before falling back into the daily schedule, I took some concrete steps in completing Charles by building out of the first templates. A few more steps will be taken this month, leading to end of Project Charles by January 1st, 2011 (upcoming blog entry).

Besides Charles, there will be more changes during the later half of this year.

Later.

Tagged as Canada, Charles/TWP, Seattle, Vancouver.

You have the right to rock out and spook out…

At the Experience Music Project | Science Fiction Museum

(Talking about knowing your audience…)

Tagged as Canada, Experience Music Project, Science Fiction Museum, Seattle, Vancouver.

On Vacation

Currently on my yearly pilgrimage to the Pacific Northwest (Seattle/Vancouver, Canada). Doing some serious ideating (and having some fun as well).

Back in the country on Memorial Day.

Later.

Tagged as Canada, Seattle, Vancouver.

Blog Entries for CDG

This week, my second blog entry for my employer, CDG Interactive, is up. Called The Well-Dressed Submit Button, it is my story about web development and dealing with usability.

My first one, UI or UN? The Life of a Front-End Developer, is also up. I don’t know if this is true for all UI/Front-end developers but the comparison does kinda hold up at certain times.

I would like to write more blog posts, especially for this blog, but my schedule really gets in the way. However, doing this will be one of many different things that I will be doing in the course of 2010.

Tagged as CDG, CSS, front-end, javascript, ui, usability, web development.

IxDA Interaction 10

IxDA Interaction 10
http://interaction.ixda.org/
Dates: February 4-7, 2010
Location: Savannah, Georgia

Hosted by SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design), this year’s conference will be spaced among various nearby locations around downtown. Savannah, with or without the conference, is worthy of a visit due to its long and influential history in this country. The IxDA (Interactive Design Association) conference will feature talks, workshops, and lectures on design areas that range from technology to new tools/processes to important issues such as instructing/mentoring new students in the field.

So, why is a front-end/ui developer doing here?

Well, I deal with designers all the time, whether they are web or print based. It allows me to follow what designers are doing and find ways to compliment – in an architect/engineer dynamic. Also, I get new ideas for inspiration or use in the other areas, especially if it is useful in my career.

Therefore, I will be spending some good quality time next month, soaking some fresh ideas and having a mini-vacation away from the same-old work routine.

Later.

P.S. – A little inspiration from the so-to-be conference…

Tagged as IA, information architecture, interaction design, ui, user experience, user interface, UX.

Back from Interaction 10…into Snowmageddon

More photos, posted at my Flickr account – Interaction 10 (IxDA)

Flew into Savannah before Snowmegeddon Round #1 came around and it was goregeous. Rainy but in the 50′s and I could wear a light jacket for a few days. Great time, only to fly back home the day before Snowmegeddon Round #2 came in. It took 2 1/2 weeks before I could see the sidewalk again.

As for Interaction 10, it was a blast and a real big work motivator for the remainder of the year. Some of the lectures presented some real interesting ideas and I will find some way to introduce or talk about them in my work. It also helps meeting interesting designers and other professionals that really want to make the profession better.

As for Savannah (beyond the really nice weather) was a good host and just darn friendly (Southern hospitality does exist…). I would definitely love to come back ASAP but the conference has to move to a new site. Unfortunately, it will not go back to Vancouver next year.

However, it will go to…Boulder, Colorado. It was announced on the last day, with a special low rate for about one week (sorry already gone, darn…) But, the excitement as already started. Especially with a really funny and interesting video promo – see http://www.vimeo.com/9395674.

Anyways, as soon as I can break open my piggy bank, I am registering for next year.

Interaction 11 @ Boulder, Colorado – http://www.ixda.org/i11/

Related Links

• For brief reprise of Interaction 10 conference, go to Johnny Holland magazine (http://johnnyholland.org/).
  • Day 1
  • Day 2
  • Day 3
• School of Visual Arts blog – http://interactiondesign.sva.edu/blog

Tagged as Design, IA, information architecture, IxDA, Savannah, Snowmegeddon, ui, user experience, user interface, UX.

Excuse me if you heard this before, but…

I am really, really busy.

Sorry for the month delay but new blog postings will be up in the next couple of days.

I will also be writing two blog post for CDG again, both dealing with topics brought about during lectures at Interaction 10 in Savannah a few weeks ago.

As for here, blog posts about Interaction 10/Savannah and the restart and final stages of Charles project.

Later.

News On The Homefront

NYC IxDA Redux

A big belated “Thank You” to IxDA New York for Interaction 10 Redux (3/6). It was nice to meet all the people who attended and to see all of the presentations that I missed at Savannah.  Would come back for another event hosted by the group if my schedule allow it.

Of course, that means I have to start paying attention to the home IxDA branch as well.

More Opera

Ironically enough, after NYC IxDA Redux, I went back to New York for my scheduled vacation for Met’s performance of The Nose. This weekend, went back to The Met for Lulu, the Alban Berg opera composed a few years after The Nose. Same decade, different moods but both are considered some of the most avant-garde works of their time. This was the last performance for me this season. Already planning for attending two performances next season in 2011 — John Adam’s Nixon in China and Alban Berg’s Wozzeck.

Futura

If you have not noticed, the font has changed in this site. After the font change last year, I decided to re-evalute my choice and changed to the first choice of Futura. I like Super Grotesk and it was choosen because of its closeness to Futura. However, there were just some things that I felt were not right (weight, letter styles) for me. It was nagging me in the back of my mind for a few months. So I decided to go back to the first choice of Futura.

I am still on the look out for any other Futura-like fonts but the right choice has been made right now.

Recent Blog Entry for CDG

Last week, finally completed a book review of Morville/Callender ‘s Search Pattern for CDG and posted on the blog. Interesting read and really changed my ideas about search engines and how search result can be displayed for easier use.

I mentioned on Twitter (5/4) that this would be my blog for CDG for the next couple of months as I will be spending writing for this blog. A consquenence will be some important announcements about The Wilson Project and Project Charles, as well as some important blog entries.

Tagged as CDG, Charles/TWP, information architecture, interaction design, IxDA, music, NYC, opera, ui, user experience.

Storm and Stress

After three weeks of work and vacation (which was almost like work), I got a free weekend.

One in which I got to do nothing.

Now this week, a hopefully(?) slow work will allow me to do the following:

• Write two blogs entries for CDG – one on the book Search Patterns by Peter Morville/Jeffery Callender and the other about The Nose (The Met/MOMA)
• Started prototyping work on Charles, which I started Sunday, first bit of work in a couple of months
• Starting more blog entries here, including a brief one about the last three weeks

I have a number of things to do before things speed up again at work. There is also the next two trips in May, which I need to get ready for.

First, NYC again for another Met performance – instead the Russian satire of The Nose, it will be the dark, German expressionism of Lulu.

Then this will be followed by my yearly pilgrimage to the Pacific Northwest again (Seattle, WA/Vancouver, Canada).

Lots to do, lots to see. Just need to do more than one blog entry per month.

Later.

UI or UN? The Life of a Front-End Developer…The Lecture???

No. Really.

Basically, it originally started as an idea for me to do something close to work but outside the office.  However, there are a number of ideas that need fleshing out. Not just about work (dealing with bad HTML code) but also about ideas about Charles, TWP, front-end developement, and IxD.

And linguistics.

More news to come.

Tagged as Charles/TWP, front-end, html, interaction design, TWP, ui, web development, xhtml.

Charles is One Year(s) Old

Actually, he’s a few weeks older, but who cares.

I knew that it had been awhile until I started writing again in the Moleskin notebook I carry around. I wish I could say more but there was some much happening outside of the project that nothing was really done for about six months. Thankful, work has started again. In this case, I took a different tack and worked around what I do best: building and programming. So far, by using prototyping (IxD idea) to try out some of the ideas in the initial plans, I made some progress and new changes that should be an improvement down the road.

A shout out to Todd Zaki Warfel for some much need inspiration.

There is still a lot of work to think about and more concepts to play around with. I’m even examining a few ideas from almost five years ago because of one change that needed to be made for better functionality, which some refresher in PHP programming (long time…).

As for the new design, that is still on hold. Finally asked another designer but he is busy as well (and just like me, can’t complain). But with the change in plans, that will wait until all the concepts have been played out.

So basically, more work, changing ideas, better direction – which leads to a more upbeat tone about the project.

BTW – Why the name Charles? I’ll tell all the worth while secrets when this is finally over, hopefully before 2011.

Tagged as Charles/TWP, TWP, web development.

New Blog Entry for CDG: The Nose

Finally got time last week to write another blog entry for CDG. After some editing from the lovely Jennifer Hoppe, it came out today. Entitled What One UI Developer Learned at the Opera, it a short but important lesson about learning from other sources can be an aid in design work.

As well as a nice trip to NYC…

Related Links

• Met Opera (The Nose/Production) – http://www.metoperafamily.org/
  metopera/season/production.aspx?id=10378
• Met Opera (The Nose/Synopsis) – http://www.metoperafamily.org/
  metopera/history/stories/synopsis.aspx?id=332
• MOMA (William Kentridge) – http://moma.org/visit/calendar/exhibitions/964
  The installation used in the opera is called “I am not me, the horse is not mine”
  Exhibition (Flash) site -http://moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/2010/williamkentridge/
• Dmitri Shostakovich (Wikipedia entry) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dmitri_Shostakovich
• Nikolai Gogol (Wikipedia entry) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gogol
• Constructivism (Wikipedia entry) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructivism_(art)

Tagged as CDG, Design, Met, music, NYC, opera.