“For designers, for business, just as for nations, risk is the essential component to great success.” – Andy Rutledge.

Andy created a series of Desktop Wallpapers based on the article. Risktakers stand out and achieve great success. Take a look at every successful company that has shaped our world today (Google, Apple, Microsoft, YouTube, Facebook, etc.). The question you should be asking is: What do you want to be noticed for?

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This morning I turned on the Mac, launched Firefox and saw this:

They admit their fault, even if it wasn’t theirs to admit. They offer a smart interface to deselect the tabs that may have caused the crash. As you can see by the side of the scroll bar, I had A LOT going on. I deselected a bunch of tabs, hit “Restore” all without a bit of worry.

This level of attention toward functionality to provide an excellent user experience should be mimicked by other developers. When I’m conceptualizing new ideas, this is the type of quality I incorporate. Thank you, Mozilla.

Which browser do you use, and why?

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Check out Part 1 of this article if you haven’t already.

Lack of Multi-tasking(?)

While the iPad can’t run multiple apps, you can certainly enjoy the ability to switch seamlessly between applications. It’s not often you need something running in the background, unless it’s Pandora radio being streamed at all times (which can’t be done to begin with due to lack of Flash support).

If you can achieve virtually anything without forcing apps to stay running in the background, then what’s the point of having it? I would just be glad that I know it’s better for my battery life. I honestly can’t think of any real effects of not being able to run multiple apps simultaneously, so please enlighten me in the comments section.

The Price is Right

Starting at $499, one can’t really complain that it doesn’t do what a MacBook does. It’s already cheaper than what everyone expected (which is good!). While the iPad physically resembles the iPod Touch, it’s just not the same. It’s not released yet, but the fact is that apps won’t be designed the same way as regular iPhone/iPod Touch apps – they will be customized to take full advantage of the bigger screen and faster processor. This is a huge part of the whole “experience” of the iPad. Read on for more…

What this means for the competition

My answer to this is: What competition? Apple created a new category of computing, remember? You can’t really compare it to Netbooks or existing Tablet PCs. The purpose of the iPad is too different to compare.

Companies are going to wrestle with the idea releasing competitive products simply because there are easier alternatives, such as slapping a desktop OS on a 9 inch Netbook or Tablet. Would they try to create a custom OS designed to work with the screen size and hardware abilities? If they did, one would ask if it would even be worth it. We’ve seen how cellphone manufacturers have failed miserably when competing with the iPhone’s level of usability.

A friend of mine told me that the likes of Sony will release a tablet that will be a REAL revolutionary product in comparison to the just “ok” iPad. Can they do it?

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User Experience

It’s designed to be what it is. It doesn’t try or promise to do anything it’s not supposed to do. This is the sole reason of why Apple’s products are so successful. Would you run Photoshop on a device that’s not designed to handle it? No, because you won’t have a good experience. This is what Apple keeps in mind at all times – thus, why people always find things lacking in Apple products.

It’s not designed to be the next revolutionary piece of hardware that will pop a piece of toast out its speaker holes, but rather to give users the experience they can’t get on an a smaller and less powerful version of the same device (iPhone/iPod Touch). If you watch the iPad video on Apple.com, you will see the level of interactivity this device achieves is not really possible on a smaller screen. More after the jump…

A brand new Category

Apple is not afraid to define their audience, as they’ve done so eloquently with their other products. They’re not afraid to make bold moves and do what they think is right. The category where you don’t think about the technology. You put it all aside and you just do what you need to do. That’s what Apple claims, at least.

Regardless, this is a new category of computing that Apple has single-handedly defined, and the markets will follow. This new “market” of computing is clearly not for everyone. It’s not designed to win over mobile workaholics or people who don’t leave their desks. There are machines that do that already (laptops and desktops). This machine, though, is designed for those in-between, and a lot of people are totally missing the point. If you have an iPhone or iPod Touch, great. You don’t need this device. I can’t guarantee how you’ll feel after you use it, though. First impressions have been VERY positive at the hands-on session after the unveiling.

“It’s really hard to design products by focus groups. A lot of times, people don’t know what they want until you show it to them.”
– BusinessWeek, May 25 1998 (Steve Jobs)

Continue to Part 2 of this article…

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iPhone on Steroids

Nobody REALLY knows what Apple’s hiding up their sleeve, but it most likely has to do with eReaders, portable computing beyond the Mobile Phone level, and a completely new way of consuming media.

An article from the Business Insider reported that Apple has had talks with NYT, WSJ, Conde Nast, Harper Collins and so forth about content distribution. On top of readable media, Apple’s also interested in mixing video into the picture, which may be great for those on the go, provided there will be fantastic battery life. And as you may figure, Apple’s definitely dabbling on the gaming side as well, teaming up with EA to show off what it can do.

Now, this is starting to sound a bit familiar, right? Yes, the iPhone. Just like how the iPhone introduced a new wave of portable computing and data consumption, Apple is aiming to do the same with the iSlate. They already have an established App Store, a fantastic base of developers, and a loyal user base. There’s no better time to try and pitch a new product to those looking for the next greatest thing.

I read somewhere a long time ago that the display technology for this device was going to be revolutionary. If Apple is targeting both traditional media AND digital media consumers, they better have a screen that works superbly well for both tasks. It’s one thing to introduce a fantastic new way of interaction with a device, but if you can’t look at what you’re doing for a long period of time, it goes to waste. Read on for more…

Competition

Currently, I’d say that Barnes & Noble’s Nook is the coolest eReader on the market — 2 screens, Android OS, huge development potential. Apple’s “reader” would surpass anything on the market with App development for the iSlate device, which would then have people question the life of its competition.

Amazon recently announced the Kindle App Store, but it’s currently limited to selected partners. With the eInk technology the Kindle uses, it’s purely limited to text-based apps, so I don’t understand what EA will try to pull out of their ass to make a game (Sudoku?). Unless the Kindle has some hidden secret powers, I don’t see how Apps are going to succeed.

Speaking of App Store and apps in general, people are asking whether existing iPhone apps will be upscalable to run on the iSlate. My guess is no. It just doesn’t make sense to take existing apps and simply enlarge them to bit a bigger and higher quality screen. I do, however, think Apple will provide the tools necessary to make it easy for developers to create modified versions of their software.

Muli-Touch

On numerous accounts, it has been reported that the device will have amazing new multi-touch abilities. It’s hard to imagine what this could translate into, judging on the fact that the iPhone and MacBook touchpads have fantastic multi-touch as it is. I don’t think the public is quite ready for the type of technology we’ve seen in Minority Report and Avatar, yet.

However, a fantastic interface design would do. Incorporating existing multi-touch technologies would successfully drive forward an interface designed with the user in mind. Regardless of the technologies being used, a user’s likability of a product is primarily determined by their experience. And Apple knows how to provide a good experience.

Durability

Apple products get thinner and thinner for every major update/release, but not necessarily weaker. Apple’s unibody architecture has served the notebook line very well, and I am sure the same level of build quality will be put into the iSlate. But, what about the display? If it’s glass, it WILL crack because a bigger display can be damaged more easily. So, what will it be?

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Not to give an excuse for only completing 20% of the 2009 to-do list, but College work was harder this year than any other semester, period. Any normal person would’ve gone mad while going through the things I did. I hated it with all my guys, but now it’s all good – and I love it!

2010 will be a very interesting part of my life as I am graduating in June, and the rest of the year will be dedicated to job hunting and working… full time (whoah!). Getting through the final semester will be a pain in the ass FOR SURE. A friend of mine went through it and has now graduated. I will be following his footsteps in no time.

I am also thankful for having travelled to Israel this year and seeing family members I haven’t seen since I was a baby. It was a great experience and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Unfortunately, I wanted to travel to another location in the world (goal was 2 for 2009) but it didn’t happen.

This year, I am going to make 2 resolution lists instead of one, simply because some things take priority over others. The 1st list contain all of the important developmental things I will set out to achieve. The 2nd list will list things that I should always be keeping in mind, like going to sleep on time instead of writing blog posts 5:30 in the morning!

Here are some of the things that will be on the lists:

1. Further develop my programming skills. PHP, MySQL, JavaScript (jQuery), ActionScript, etc.
2. Learn mobile web and web app development. Creating mobile phone optimized sites is insanely important!
3. Write tutorials for this blog! Too bad this didn’t happen in 2009. I love teaching.
4. Start doing Icon Design. This is something I’ve always wanted to do. I LOVE symbols!
5. Work on personal projects! There are at least 4 projects in the works, and 2010 should be the year where it all comes to life!
6. Start earning money from what I do online. I think it’s time to start earning a profit from all of my online activity. This means placing ads on this blog, which everyone tells me to do!
7. Graduate. This will mark a major milestone in my life. The final semester will be tough, but I am ready for anything!

So, what about you, guys? It’s a brand new decade! What do you wish to accomplish in 2010?

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The fact that I am graduating after next semester (June ‘10) makes things extremely exciting! Regardless of the amount of classes I am taking come this January, nothing can surpass the amount of work and sleepless nights I just went through. Here are the classes I took:

1. Advanced Web Animation (Flash, ActionScript 3.0, Web Animation)
2. Advanced Web Strategies (Web strategy, marketing, a bit of JavaScript, PHP, MySQL)
3. Advertising Design II (Concepts, concepts, and more concepts)
4. Design Internship (Interning at an Interactive Design/Development agency)
5. Art History (Prehistoric to Gothic)
6. Macroeconomics (Economy, supply & demand, economic conditions, business)
   

90% of the people who see this list call me crazy, and I don’t blame them. I don’t regret anything one bit. I learned and achieved more this semester than ever before. It’s funny how all the best work happens right as you’re about to finish your degree.

I learned invaluable skills in Flash, and gained amazing portfolio pieces from Advertising Design II. The Design Internship allowed me to work on projects for Fortune 500 companies, and so forth. More after the jump…

Next semester, I will be taking all of the senior level courses, as well as 1 math class, and 1 elective of my choice:

1. Senior Project (Semester-long project that will be graded in the end)
2. Design Team (Work in groups with real clients to provide design solutions)
3. Portfolio (Develop our portfolios both digital and print)
4. PHP Programming (Learn to program and develop web apps in PHP)
5. Quantitative Math (A class I should have taken in my 1st year)

I absolutely cannot wait until Senior Project! The project I have planned (an Operating System) will define who I am as a designer, and everything I can do. This project will be very close to my heart, and I plan to document its development on this blog. I am certain you will find the process very fascinating!

I plan to have a very good job after I graduate, and this project combined with my portfolio, will be my ticket. I will master everything I set my mind to. I will create anything in the best possible way, utilizing my skills in Web Design/Development, Flash, Advertising, and more.

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One cannot express how important it is to design for the web. The web has become an instant phenomenon that is being quickly taken over by the big dogs of the media world. Methods of content consumption based on the Internet are multiplying faster than any other form of media in the past.

First there was the Amazon Kindle, and now we have the Android-based Nook eBook reader. Rumors about Apple releasing a Tablet of their own are flying around like aimless torpedoes. If you were to ask me, Apple is definitely planning something, and it’ll probably be a huge hit.

To put it simply, the world is changing very quickly. If we fail to keep up to date with what’s happening, our jobs will leave us for someone else. Stay open minded and read a lot of design blogs. See what people are raving about so that you can contribute in your own way. Don’t forget to collect inspiration along your journey.

PS.  Print is not dead. As long as creativity isn’t lost, it will continue to be a dominant form of media, regardless of the changes it goes through.

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We are all designers with experiences ranging from vast to none at all. When I started designing websites 8 years ago, I was nowhere near as good as most of these people. Here are some examples of websites from friends of mine. Note: They are still works in progress.

Be Happy Bella – is a website dedicated to the Twilight Saga, and everything about it. You will find everything from summaries of the books, character bios, photo gallery, and so forth. Tons of work went into the making of this website, by someone very passionate.

Road Trip USA 2009 – documents an American Cross Country with a Toyota Prius. It features all the information you would need, including but not limited to gas prices, camping grounds, places to visit, and more!

Toned Physique – This website is dedicated to nutrition, exercise, and straying healthy altogether. It is still in its early stages of development for the time being. It will feature guides on exercising, eating right, and so forth.

Web designers, what are some of your experiences when you first started creating websites? Please share your examples and thoughts in the comments.

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Impulse Wave is going to be a new series of posts based on impulse discussions, thoughts, ideas, and so forth. I am positive that this is going to be an interesting series, provided new installments get posted regularly. This series is going to require your feedback, so make sure you keep up by subscribing to the feed.

Style and Organization: Since a lot of the content for this series will come from text-based discussions, there will be excerpts posted from the dialogues. I am also considering posting full conversations (edited, of course) so you don’t miss any juicy details… and the drama.

User contribution: This series will be the first to invite the public (that’s right, you!) to participate. If you want to share your thoughts, email me. I’m waiting.

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