Published in EightShapes·PinnedCross-Cutting TopicsIn any given domain of information, some topics that cut across every other one. Hence: a cross-cutting topic. In medicine, for example, you have cardiology, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, and pediatrics, among others. …Information Architecture10 min readInformation Architecture10 min read
Published in EightShapes·PinnedFour Tradeoffs When Designing Navigation MenusTo be an information architect is to immerse oneself in tradeoffs: sacrificing one approach or direction for another. When we choose to focus on nouns instead of verbs, or breadth instead of depth, or expert users instead of novice users, we’re making a tradeoff. …Information Architecture7 min readInformation Architecture7 min read
Published in Greenonions·PinnedInterviewing Creative PeopleA concise guide to conversing with artists, musicians, designers, writers, and other purveyors of imagination and innovation — Creative people aren’t special or different from any of the rest of us. They’re just in a line of work that defies explanation. While every occupation and endeavor has trappings and tangible artifacts, where the real work happens is what people want to hear about. Some jobs rely on data…Interviewing5 min readInterviewing5 min read
Published in EightShapes·Jan 2721 More Small Thoughts on Information ArchitectureExpositions, Illustrations, and Annotations to Scott Kubie’s 21 Small Thoughts on IA — Scott Kubie wrote 21 thoughts on information architecture, perhaps because he’s too modest to call them truths about information architecture. Scott’s methodical approach to understanding and explaining information architecture appeals to me as a mentor, educator, consultant, and of course information architect.Information Architecture15 min readInformation Architecture15 min read
Published in Greenonions·Oct 21, 2022The Self-Reflection of a Senior Designer: A Case StudyCritique is the engine of design. To get ongoing feedback on work — structured, meaningful, relevant feedback — is what turns art into design. Designers learn to hear and incorporate feedback on their work dispassionately, with a growth mindset, with an enthusiasm to make the product better. But what happens…Design7 min readDesign7 min read
Aug 26, 2022Facets, Tags, and Cross-Cutting TopicsWhen I posted my previous article on Cross-Cutting Topics, Peter Merholz asked, “How is this different from faceted classification?” Er… I dunno. My professional aim is to contribute tools and ideas to the practice of information architecture. Make use of them as you see fit. In this follow-up I won’t…Information Architecture4 min readInformation Architecture4 min read
Jul 14, 2022Designing Design Workshops: Beyond Dot-VotingYou’ve heard of dot-voting. That’s the thing where everyone in a workshop gets a bunch of dots and they — stay with me here — vote on different ideas, concepts, contributions. You can use this technique in lots of ways — it’s like a template. …UX7 min readUX7 min read
Published in UX Collective·Updated Jul 7, 2022Rapid Personas: a play for your UX PlaybookIt’s hard to write any article about personas — the design artifact people love to hate — without a string of caveats. But, here I am, writing about personas with no caveats. Let’s do it. With the Rapid Personas play I’m trying to address a couple of challenges in the…UX6 min readUX6 min read
Aug 27, 2020Questions about QuestionsCompleting the Q&A and from UX Australia 2020 — On August 26, 2020, I gave a keynote talk for UX Australia called “The Art and Science of Asking Questions.” The audience submitted a lot of great questions (about questions) and I didn’t have a chance to answer all of them. Here are the answers I would have given. Every…5 min read5 min read
Published in Greenonions·Mar 14, 2020Turning It OffEight Tips for Leaving Work at Work — (Originally published on the EightShapes blog in 2011) It’s 5pm and you leave your office, only to step into your living room. Your five-year-old engages you immediately in a philosophical debate about the comparative advantages of hammerhead sharks vs. tiger sharks. Your spouse hands you a toddler with a look…Remote Working5 min readRemote Working5 min read
