cksb
JOINED 04.06.10
POSTS 6
cksb
JOINED 04.06.10
POSTS 6
Where do you get your grubby hands on design books?
Posted 22.10.2010 @ 2.02PM
In Melbourne:
Metropolis
http://www.metropolisbookshop.com.au/
Avenue Books, Albert Park
www.avenuebookstore.com.au
I used to frequent Greville Books a lot. I was going to suggest it to you, but a quick search for a link tells me they closed down! Very sad.
Readings in Carlton and St Kilda had reasonable selections too.
cksb
JOINED 04.06.10
POSTS 6
UX Design
Posted 30.08.2010 @ 9.14PM
I've been on both sides of the fence, having worked with, and as, a UX designer (which was 50% visual design role anyway). I'm now a visual designer in a team of UXers.
I think the skillsets are complementary. I've never felt my role as a visual designer was threatened by UX. In fact, my experience was the reverse. It added a new way of thinking and focus to what I did. It's helped rationalise a lot of the design choices I make. It's also been full of surprising insights that have helped shape concepts (both strategically and visually).
I don't think it hurts to dive in and learn some of the skills and practices; even if your focus remains on the visuals, in the same way that I don't think it hurts to learn a bit of code. I think you'll probably find you do some of it already (just not as part of a formalised process). Plus, the more you're willing to get involved from the beginning, the less likely you'll feel like the 'prettyfier' who swoops in at the end.
Remember that UX is about providing engaging, 'delightful', as well as usable experiences. There are plenty of websites out there that are perfectly usable (where users are able to successfully complete their goals quickly and easily) but not at all compelling. That's where visual design is critical: building brand, engagement, emotional connections, etc, etc. I would not undervalue that role. :)
cksb
JOINED 04.06.10
POSTS 6
Course advice: Information Technology (Websites) (Design)
Posted 06.06.2010 @ 3.21PM
::Shame there isn't more options or support from the education sector.
Couldn't agree more with you!
On the UX book front, I think a good, really basic starting point would be:
*A Project Guide to UX: For user experience designers in the field or in the making* by Russ Unger and Carolyn Chandler
http://www.amazon.com/Project-Guide-Design-experience-designers/dp/0321607376/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265904699&sr=8-1
That might help give you a broad understanding of all the aspects of UX.
It depends what your focus is though. If you want to code, then there are plenty of solid web tutorials and books around as others have mentioned. A short course isn't a bad idea either (provided you can find a decent one); but most of what I learned about coding and web technologies was gained through teaching myself and then later, on the job as I went.
If you're interested in the process side of things, look into UX and User Centered Design methodologies. These won't teach you much about core web technology, but instead provide you with tools and practices to better understand your users and develop engaging, intuitive experiences designed with them in mind. e.g. user testing, storyboarding, wireframing, prototyping
::A call out to AIF users that consider themselves 'digital designers' - how did you get to where you are today?
First off, I started out as a print designer too. :)
I think there were a few key things that helped me to get to where I am now:
* Taught myself to hand-code HTML/CSS in my spare time, mostly through online tuts.
* Landed a job in a large web company where I had to interact with lots of different team members of different disciplines -- BAs, developers, QAs, interface developers, systems engineers. I spent a lot of time watching what they did, listening to them and observing how each contributed something to an overall 'web product' -- I think this really helped me learn and be exposed to different web technologies. There's a lot of things you just don't get exposed to in a small design-focused agency or working alone.
* Asking for opportunities. My employer ended up taking a chance on me for this UX role, even though I had no direct experience... passion for learning goes a long way.
Good luck!
cksb
JOINED 04.06.10
POSTS 6
self-directed learning in print communication and publishing
Posted 24.02.2011 @ 3.47PM
::my interest is in print communication and book publishing. are there any recommended texts for self-directed learning in these areas?
Can't hurt to start with graphic design classics like:
*The Elements of Typographic Style* by Robert Bringhurst
*Grid Systems in Graphic Design* by Josef Muller-Brockmann
::for those of you who have learnt design on your own, would you recommend working on a project and picking up different bits of design principles along the way, or getting to grips with some theory systematically before fiddling around with software?
I'm not self-taught per se, but before I did my degree I'd just create little design projects for myself. I never did that for the purpose of 'learning the software'. I did it because I loved design and wanted to 'create' and problem-solve. I found that gave me a thirst for learning the theory, so I could better my work. I don't think it's an either/or thing. Do whatever is going to motivate you.