Category Archives: Web Usability

Smashing Magazine: 40+ Helpful Resources On User Interface Design Patterns

Posted on July 7, 2010 by Theo Mandel

User interface design patterns are common researched and reusable solutions to frequent user interface problems. There are a number of user interface pattern repositories. This article in Smashing Magazine lists over 40 resources for user interface design patterns. Here’s what they … Continue reading →

Posted in Application Usability, User Centered Design (UCD), Web Usability | Leave a comment

iPad Usability: First Findings From User Testing – Mixed Results!

Posted on May 22, 2010 by Theo Mandel

Now that the iPad is out and people are using the new apps supposedly designed for the iPad, their usability falls short of the expected Apple usability experience. Jakob Nielsen, in his Alertbox, May 10 2010, summarized his findings: “iPad … Continue reading →

Posted in Mobile Usability, Technology, User Centered Design (UCD), Web Usability | Leave a comment

Counterpoint to the “Madlibs” Form Style

Posted on February 28, 2010 by Theo Mandel

As I looked closely at the different form styles in the previous blog entry, I noticed there are a number of differences, in addition to the different form layouts. Any or all of these changes could have contributed to the … Continue reading →

Posted in User Centered Design (UCD), Web 2.0, Web Usability | Leave a comment

“Mad Libs” Style Form Increases Conversion 25-40%

Posted on February 25, 2010 by Theo Mandel

UI designers are always looking for new ways to do common tasks better and faster. This new style of filling in forms may prove to be one of those new twists that makes people think, “Why didn’t I think of … Continue reading →

Posted in Application Usability, Marketing Usability, User Centered Design (UCD), Users, Web 2.0, Web Content, Web Usability | Leave a comment

Usability Guidelines for Heuristic Evaluation

Posted on January 19, 2010 by Theo Mandel

Very nice overview of heuristic evaluation guidelines for websites. >

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Bad Usability! Humorous Slideshare Presentation

Posted on November 27, 2009 by Theo Mandel

A humorous, poetic, simple and elegant presentation about bad usability based on the Bad Usability calendar (www.badusability.com/). >

Posted in Usability Bloopers, Usability Humor, Web 2.0, Web Usability | Leave a comment

UX Problems at American Airlines

Posted on November 24, 2009 by Theo Mandel

Dustin Curtis wrote a blog article about American Airlines’ poor website design. He received an e-mail from an Interaction Designer within the company explaining the corporate culture at American Airlines with regard to the website. The designer was promptly fired … Continue reading →

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Snacks vs. Gourmet Meals in Online Content

Posted on October 14, 2009 by Theo Mandel

This Good Experience post discusses an article that hits the nail on the head. With Twitter and other bite-sized nuggets of information, the world is full of instant, immediate “experts” on any topic. Their information is worth the money you … Continue reading →

Posted in Web 2.0, Web Content, Web Usability | Leave a comment

Phoenix Design Week 09

Posted on September 28, 2009 by Theo Mandel

Phoenix Design Week is a celebration of the local design community. It will include a variety of exhibitions, open houses, workshops, presentations, activities, films and other community-growth oriented events. Come join the fun – http://phxdw.com/index.php

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Why Craigslist Is Such a Mess

Posted on September 11, 2009 by Theo Mandel

Intriguing article in Wired Magazine on the history of controversial Craigslist.org, the largest community site in the US. From the interface design and usability perspective, Craigslist is notoriously well-know for its old-style, link-heavy, basic interface that does not make using … Continue reading →

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Web Accessibility Day – September 22, 2009

Posted on August 19, 2009 by Theo Mandel

The National Federation of the Blind and the Maryland Technology Assistance Program present Web Accessibility Day, September 22nd, 2009. The event will be held in Baltimore, MD. The Maryland Technology Assistance Program and the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan … Continue reading →

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Classic “This is Broken” Seth Godin Video

Posted on August 18, 2009 by Theo Mandel

Seth Godin, bestselling author, entrepreneur and agent of change in his Gel 2006 video. Why are so many things broken? In this entertaining talk – one of the favorites of Gel 2006 – Seth Godin gives a tour of things … Continue reading →

Posted in Application Usability, Marketing Usability, Real-World Usability, Usability Bloopers, Usability Humor, User Centered Design (UCD), Web Usability | Leave a comment

Theo Mandel invited to present Keynote at 2009 User eXperience Russia Conference

Posted on August 17, 2009 by Theo Mandel

Theo Mandel, Ph.D., founder and principal of Interface Design and Development, LLC, has been invited to present a keynote session at the 2009 User eXperience Russia conference in Moscow on October 26-28, 2009. Mandel’s keynote presentation is titled “The (New) … Continue reading →

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Chicago Company Sues Woman for $50,000 over a Tweet!

Posted on August 6, 2009 by Theo Mandel

The ultimate in bad legal strategies!! Chicago’s Horizon Realty, a property management company, filed a $50,000 libel lawsuit Monday against a former tenant, Amanda Bonnen, over one of her alleged Twitter posts. Horizon argues that Bonnen libeled the company with … Continue reading →

Posted in Marketing Usability, Web 2.0, Web Usability | Leave a comment

Yahoo Launching Front Page open to Others’ Content

Posted on July 22, 2009 by Theo Mandel

A significant redesign is finally coming to the Yahoo.com home page, one of the most well-traveled destinations on the Internet, and the company’s search page will follow suit starting next month. Yahoo plans to let people in the United States … Continue reading →