Posts Tagged ‘UI’

The New Zune

// October 3rd, 2007 // No Comments » // Design, Technology, Web

This post is not about how Microsoft is forever a copycat in most of what they do, or how the Zune fails miserably due to a lack of Software cohesion with your personal music library. No, this is about unbelievably weak UI implementation on their part.

A co-worker shows me todays front page of the Business section of the San Francisco Chronicle, which is talking about how the new Zune is just an “Imitation”. Duh. I go to their Microsoft’s Zune home page and see the shinny new Zune models all glossy and mirrored. Great. What struck me to post on this is there is all this space on the front page and ONE little link underneath their tag line. Why not make the entire image a click through to “learn more”.

Microsoft Zune homepage

Am I totally wrong here. This seems like a waste and a narrowing of the users ability to learn more about their new shinny Zune’s. One little text link to learn more about your great product. In comparison you go to Apple’s home page and guess what the large image on the front page is a click through. Imagine that. If they want to imitate maybe they should start with their website design and overall user experience.

Kongregate Card Game at PAX07

// September 12th, 2007 // No Comments » // Design, Games

Here is some footage I shot while attending PAX 07 up in Seattle, WA of the Kongregate CCG (collectible card game). I have been working for Kongregate as a freelancer designing the CCG for some time now and this was the first unofficial demo of the game to the public. Seeing peoples reaction to the game for the first time was priceless.

The team at Kongregate gets much props for busting the game out with all their other design and programing duties in time for PAX 07. It has been a great experience designing a game and I have learned a lot in the process. The game is far, but not too far, from being complete and things morph and grow over time. I am slowing weaning myself away from the project as I can not devote enough time to it. As a designer it is always hard to see your baby take wings and fly but it is in capable hands.

Maybe I will make my own Flash Game one of these days… hmmm. If you want to find out more about the game and Kongregate go here. Also a user, r3p3nt, from Kongregate has posted a link to the video as well, he has additional information about the KCCG on his blog if you are interested.

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