[Sigia-l] New (beta) IxDA Site

[Paola Kathuria]

pauric wrote:
> Visual design: one person's mess is another's mana.  The fact you
> dont like it means you're a unique individual just like everyone else.

Well, whether I subjectively like it or not is irrelevant. One
can easily user-test the issues I suggested that were confusing.

> How can an org that promotes ixd release a crappy design:  A counter
> argument would be to ask how can someone fully appreciate a design after
> 3 hours of use.  Its not selling ixd so it doesn't have to convert you.

If they only have loyal users who would use the site *in spite*
of its design, that's fine. But I suspect that the IxDA *are*
trying to 'sell' something because they want people to sign up.

I hope I'm wrong and the IxDA gets lots of new members.

But, here's the thing, I got a bit miffed as it's another straw
on the poor camel's back. There are a few 'expert' web sites out
there with amateurish visual design and which ignore the idea
of making a positive professional impression.

Selling design (in the proper, broad sense) is already hard and
it's made that much harder by crappy-looking sites like useit.com
and w3c.org, both of which I feel do nothing to 'convert' anyone
who is remotely concerned with their brand.

The IxDA looks much better than those but still has flaws, in my
opinion, that undermine it as an example of good design. It
doesn't matter whether it's beta or not - it's out there now and
they've lost the chance of making a really good first impression.

This second message makes it more of a deal than it really
is. It's okay - the sky won't fall in.


Paola
--
http://www.paolability.com/