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Design Archives
March 28, 2008
Less is More: The Easy to Use Video Camera
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks | Filed under: Design
I love the story of the Flip: a paired down video camera with virtually no features (no zoom, no slots for extra memory, no menu, etc.). Yet it's captured 13% of the camcorder market in less than a year. It's been the top selling camcorder on Amazon.com since it came out.
Why? It's not designed for the average camcorder user. Its less is more approach makes it easy for someone who wouldn't normally shoot video to shoot video. Grandma's and 5-year-olds give it a try--and they love it. It's like the point and shoot camera for video.
Geeks like me might scoff because we actually want all those extra features. But I'm the wrong audience.
It's a perfect example of when narrowing your focus can pay off big. (link via 37Signals)
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September 28, 2006
Pushing the Non-Profit Design Boundary
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks | Filed under: Design
To make an impact you may need to take your cause to the edge. Or over the edge. Houtlust is a blog that collects non-profit advertising and social campaigns from around the world that are on the bleeding edge of marketing and activism.
Some of it may be a little risque, so be warned. But check out the Red Cross Canada's Know What To Do, the Brazilian World Wildlife Fund's Dia Da Arvore (tree day) and Amnesty International's A Signature is Powerful. (link via Selfish Giving)
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September 27, 2006
The Urban Forest Project
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks | Filed under: Design
![I [heart] Trees by Scott Pauli](http://www.thinkpersonality.com/think/graphics/2006_09_27urbanforest.jpg)
If you're in Times Square through the end of October you may find yourself thinking less about neon and more about trees. The Urban Forest Project has 186 banners on display in and around Times Square created by world-renowned artists. The banners center around the subject of trees and the idea of sustainability. When the banners come down they'll be made into tote bags and auctioned off to raise money for art education.
The project is a collaboration between three non-profits: the AIGA New York, the Times Square Alliance and the Worldstudio Foundation. The project is also a brilliant way to get people talking about one cause (the environment) while supporting another cause (the arts). (link via Social Design Notes)
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October 27, 2005
Learning from Mistakes: OXO Kitchen Tools
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks | Filed under: Design
OXO revolutioned the kitchen tool market when they introduced their well-designed kitchen tools with thick black handles. But over the years they've made mistakes—but OXO learned from each one:
- All bagels are not alike.
- You solve one problem but create another.
- Solving problems people don't want solved.
- Thinking you're done.
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October 21, 2005
Presentation Zen
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks | Filed under: Design
If you've ever had to give a Powerpoint presentation, you need to check out this site. It's packed with details, methods and examples for how to give amazing presentations. One of the best examples is the visual simplicity and personality of Steve Jobs and his Apple presentations.
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June 20, 2005
Designing Business
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks | Filed under: Design
Fast Company devoted their June issue to design, including a focus on Proctor & Gamble. They embraced design and share tips on how to incorporate design into the workplace culture.
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May 5, 2005
Good Design is Readable
Posted by Lisa Pileggi | Filed under: Design
Walking out of the Directors Guild Theater on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood, after attending the COL-COA French Film Festival, I noticed a large billboard for the Academy of Country Music Awards. I thoroughly studied the sign for several minutes before I figured out that it read: 40th Academy of Country Music Awards.
Now why would any designer create a billboard that requires more than a glance to read? My greatest difficulty was distinguishing the numbers. The zero at the end of the four was significantly smaller then the preceding number, resembling a degree symbol.
My first thought was: "And this passed by how many desks before it was approved and printed?"
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