Summary: Discovery is challenging; it can be hard to know what to research, how to do discovery as a team, and how to get buy-in. Follow these 7 tips for smoother discovery efforts. Discovery is one of the most challenging parts of the design process because it’s filled with unknowns. The problem you want to… Continue reading 7 Tips for Successful Discoveries
Your Browser May Be Having a Secret Relationship with a Screen Reader
This is the final installment of my three-part saga on the technical details of how screen readers communicate with other software. Part 1 introduced accessibility APIs (application programming interfaces) and the accessibility tree, and Part 2 provided a history lesson of how screen readers learned to cope with graphical user interfaces (GUIs). Although I thought… Continue reading Your Browser May Be Having a Secret Relationship with a Screen Reader
Your AI UX Intern: Meet Ari
Summary: Work with AI tools in UX the way you’d work with an intern: Treat their work as a first pass, double-check their facts, and provide specific instructions. We’ve long recommended working with AI tools like you might work with an intern — providing lots of instructions, guidance, oversight, and correction. This analogy helps avoid… Continue reading Your AI UX Intern: Meet Ari
The Proliferation and Problem of the ✨ Sparkles ✨ Icon
Summary: The sparkles icon has become increasingly prevalent in user interfaces, particularly in association with AI-driven features, but it suffers from ambiguity and lacks a standardized meaning. This article features content from the book Digital Icons That Work: A Comprehensive Guide to Enhancing User Experience with Effective Iconography by Kate Kaplan (with a contributing chapter on icon… Continue reading The Proliferation and Problem of the ✨ Sparkles ✨ Icon
Accessible Images For When They Matter Most
<div class=”logo”> <a href=”/” title=”Back to the homepage”> <picture> <source media=”(min-width: 1350px)” srcset=”…/images/logo-full.svg”> <img src=”…/images/logo/logo.svg” alt=”Smashing Magazine”> </picture> </a> </div> Hearing both the phrase “back to the homepage” and “Smashing Magazine” in one feature is OK since each phrase is unique and connected to a different purpose. For more complex alternative text phrases, conduct the… Continue reading Accessible Images For When They Matter Most
What is a costume designer in film?
It might seem obvious but let’s cover the basics anyway. A costume designer creates the costumes worn by actors in film, TV, or in a theatre production. The role involves more than just choosing the clothes; costume designers work with directors, production designers, and actors to make sure that the costumes fit well with the… Continue reading What is a costume designer in film?
Documenting design process with Notion
[unable to retrieve full-text content] An ultimate approach to Design Documentation Managing projects efficiently is crucial to keep your work process moving smoothly. Working within a design team, or collaborating with multiple stakeholders, staying organised can be a challenge. This is where a Design Documentation Notion Template comes into play. Design documentation – Notion template A… Continue reading Documenting design process with Notion
Serial Position Effect — How does human memory work while recalling?
[unable to retrieve full-text content] Recently we visited an art gallery, with all its amazing artworks lining the walls. Photo by Eric Park on Unsplash As we walk through the exhibition, we notice the careful arrangement of the artworks and how they evoke different emotions and leave a lasting impression Our eyes are naturally drawn to the… Continue reading Serial Position Effect — How does human memory work while recalling?
Create a slot machine game in vanilla JavaScript
What we’re coding Here’s the finished demo, to give you an idea of what we’re creating: Begin with the UI We’ll start by creating the interface. This will be a minimal design featuring the balance (how much credit there is to play with) and three reels. The overall container comes first, so add a… Continue reading Create a slot machine game in vanilla JavaScript
Akendi UX Blog
Akendi UX Blog https://www.akendi.com/blog UX Reflections on Experience Thinking Wed, 18 Sep 2024 21:28:25 +0000 en-CA hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://www.akendi.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/favicon-16×16-1.png Akendi UX Blog https://www.akendi.com/blog 32 32 Design Sprints Extended: Design on Track Design Sprints Extended: Design on Track Design Sprints Extended: Design on Track Sat, 14 Sep 2024 22:08:46 +0000 Design Sprints Extended: Design on… Continue reading Akendi UX Blog
European Accessibility Act (EAA) – Kiosks, touch screens and physical devices
Issues I face personally I’ll begin with some personal experiences. I use a wheelchair, and face issues with reaching devices all the time. Here are some photos I’ve taken when grocery shopping! By the way, if you’re just looking for what the actual law says, skip ahead to What are the actual requirements? This is… Continue reading European Accessibility Act (EAA) – Kiosks, touch screens and physical devices
15 Free Resume Templates (PSD)
In today’s competitive job market, a strong first impression can be the key to landing your dream role. Your resume is often that first introduction to potential employers. By choosing the right design, you can highlight your skills and experiences while standing out visually. If you’re looking for professionally designed resumes without breaking the bank,… Continue reading 15 Free Resume Templates (PSD)
How to make interactive charts accessible
Interactive charts can transform data into compelling stories, offering valuable insights at a glance. But what happens when these visual tools are inaccessible to those with visual impairments? In this post, we’ll show you how to ensure your interactive charts are accessible to all users, regardless of their abilities. Before digging deeper, let’s establish what… Continue reading How to make interactive charts accessible
Create a breakout game with HTML, CSS, and vanilla JavaScript
We’ll begin by creating the game area using the HTML canvas element. The <canvas> element provides access to the Canvas API, which allows us to draw graphics on a webpage. In your HTML add the code below. 1 <div class=”instructions”> 2 <p> 3 Bounce the ball with the paddle. Use your mouse to move the… Continue reading Create a breakout game with HTML, CSS, and vanilla JavaScript
Free Hanging Poster Mockup
Looking for the perfect way to showcase your poster designs? Our free hanging poster mockup PSD template is the ideal solution. This high-resolution poster mockup offers incredible quality and detail, ensuring your artwork looks professional and polished. Designed with smart objects, it’s easy to use, allowing you to effortlessly drag and drop your designs into… Continue reading Free Hanging Poster Mockup
Cinematic realism and its techniques
What is realism in cinema? Cinematic realism aims to show life as authentically as possible, with a focus on being believable and accurate and generally avoiding overly stylised or dramatic scenes. There’s a focus on the everyday, which puts it in contrast with the escapist nature of other popular films where we expect to be… Continue reading Cinematic realism and its techniques
How to create a rubber stamp effect in Affinity Photo
Today, we will be learning how to create a rubber stamp texture and design in Affinity Photo. In this tutorial, we will use simple shapes and blending tools to create an authentic-looking stamped texture that is completely customizable. Let’s get started! What you’ll learn in this Affinity Photo tutorial What you’ll need Find more on… Continue reading How to create a rubber stamp effect in Affinity Photo
What is the Bezold effect?
The Bezold effect, named after the German meteorologist who discovered it, Wilhelm von Bezold, is a phenomenon in which changing one color in a design changes the appearance of all colors. This phenomenon shows how a change can dramatically shift the appearance of all other colors due to their interplay. The Bezold effect is rooted… Continue reading What is the Bezold effect?
How to blend text in an album cover in Photoshop
2. How to enhance your text with the Camera RAW filter in Photoshop Step 1 When you’ve finessed your design, select all your layers, go to Edit > Copy Merged, and then paste the entire design onto a single layer. Convert this new layer into a smart object and name it “Final”. Step 2 Add… Continue reading How to blend text in an album cover in Photoshop
How to add visual effects to an album cover in Photoshop
1. Adding a sun flare Photoshop highlight Let’s add a few more visual effects, starting with a sun flare highlight on the rocks. Step 1 Go to the top of the layer stack and add a Solid Color Adjustment Layer based on a bright part of the sky. Invert it, select the brush tool, and… Continue reading How to add visual effects to an album cover in Photoshop
How to work with color and textures in Photoshop
In our previous tutorial, you learnt how to retouch underwater elements to make things appear more realistic. In this lesson, you will learn how to work with color and textures to enhance your composition. If you prefer video tutorials, watch the complete Advanced Photoshop Techniques course from the Tuts+ YouTube channel. Additionally, you can check… Continue reading How to work with color and textures in Photoshop
How to retouch underwater elements in Photoshop
Retouching underwater elements Step 1 Start by applying an adjustment layer to the guitar. You can make it darker or lighter depending on the direction you push the three sliders—Exposure, Offset, and Gamma Correction. In this case, you want to make the guitar darker, so move the sliders to the left and keep them in… Continue reading How to retouch underwater elements in Photoshop
How to create a neotribal 3D chrome text effect
What is cybersigilism? Cybersigilism is an emerging digital art movement that blends ancient symbology, futuristic design, and cyber-inspired aesthetics. It often incorporates elements of sharp, geometric patterns, bold lettering, and metallic textures, much like the chrome 3D text effect we’re creating in this tutorial. Cybersigilism draws inspiration from mystical symbols, tribal art, and modern technological… Continue reading How to create a neotribal 3D chrome text effect
Transform Your Photos: 50 Best Photoshop Actions
In today’s fast-paced digital world, creating stunning visuals is more important than ever. Whether you’re a photographer, graphic designer, or content creator, Photoshop actions are essential tools that simplify complex edits and enhance your photos with just a few clicks. These pre-recorded steps allow users to achieve professional-quality results without the need for advanced technical… Continue reading Transform Your Photos: 50 Best Photoshop Actions