sokohl.com

Mr. Zimmerman sure had it right.

It seems that every time I turn around, I’m looking at my blog and its paucity of content. Such is the life of an internal employee.

Now, however, might just be the time to move on out there. The field of user experience is–controversies over just what it is notwithstanding–more mainstream than ever before. In 2002 I started Sokohl & Associates, but the dotCom crash back then erased any chance of strong success. So I worked on it part time, choosing to do stints with the Federal Reserve, DigitalNet/BAE, Keane, and then most recently PracticeWorks. A mix of innie and outie UX work in some form or another, these positions also helped me hone skills, thoughts, and crafts.

No doubt our current economy presents challenges…heck, challenges just to stay solvent. As companies reduce their forces, as it were, the work still remains, for the most part. So perhaps now is the time. Perhaps I need to change with the times.

This morning, ABC ran a story on its Good Morning America show that illustrates the conflict between business and user goals. Apparently dairies are moving intosquarish milk cartons. In effect, to save money and efficiency, rectangular gallon containers are better for business…but not for users.
The awkward top-heavy nature of the container causes people to spill milk and have an unwieldy experience. The manufacturers say, “Oh, it’s easy: Just rest the bottom of the container on a surface and tilt the milk.” In addition, some stores are holding classes in how to pour milk.
Yes, that’s right: Classes in how to pour milk.
Yet another example of business and technology ganging up on the user.

I’ll probably return to this them on occasion, but I find a lot of inspiration to what we do in physical architecture.

I recently found out that a classmate from high school is a guru in the architecture world: Tim Culvahouse. On the front page he’s got a great quotation:

Architecture designs situations, not just buildings; and situations, as any psychologist knows, are the most powerful determinants of behavior: more powerful than personality, habit, education, character, genetic makeup, more powerful than anything.

Indeed. You could paraphrase this in our world as

Experience architecture designs situations, not just applications; and situations, as any psychologist knows, are the most powerful determinants of behavior: more powerful than personality, habit, education, character, genetic makeup, more powerful than anything.

Also, a neat page from his site talks about the physical and spatial (isn’t that the same?) nature of New Orleans. Nice to see focused yet small ruminations on a theme. We should do more in the UX world.

I’ve been asked to write an article for a technology magazine on Web 2.0 and usability. I see it more than just usability, of course (don’t all us UXers?).

Here’s where I’m going:

As businesses rush to follow Web 2.0 ephemera, what effect are applications having on users and their ability to get stuff done? I’d like to look at some of the promises and pitfalls of Web 2.0 from a user experience perspective.
Many innovations come through in Web 2.0 implementations. Users are presented with a wide variety of controllable, malleable, formable experiences. Lightweight engineering solutions break the stranglehold of ponderous approaches that have stifled innovation.
And yet…what is the impact of so many choices? Will the Web 2.0 generation’s epitaph be, “They died with their options open?” When is too much choice too much? In addition, a rush to add the coolest glows and shapes and transitions might win over marketing suits but lose users.
Let’s examine how Web 2.0 principles can help–or hinder–user satisfaction and success. I think we need to open a dialog on enhancing innovation through a grounded understanding of users and their needs.

My session at DocTrain West is over.
There’s always a sense of relief when I finish a session, even one as well-attended as this one. In addition, it’s flattering to be asked to sit for a podcastable interview and be blogged about.
Though I’m definitely showing the Keane flag, it’s also gratifying professionally to create positions and then test them in the marketplace.