The No Content Show
02 Jul '09 - at 19:23 PM by David Perel |
There are already 9 Comments
About the Show
We didn't have much to talk about today but we decided to post a show just for fun.
I edited a conversation Marc and I were having, down to the little bits for you to watch.
It was a random chat but we decided to make it into a something.
Rockstar coders & Rockstar Designers, who and why?
01 Jul '09 |
There are already 21 Comments
About the Show
We have two questions for you today with a mini-rant in-between.
- Who are the rockstar coders?
- What makes a rockstar designer?
Tell us what you think!
Links mentioned in this post:
- Obox Signature Series
- Elliot Jay Stocks' new site (we like it)
- Cobus Bester (@FRESH01)
- Malan Joubert (@foxinni)
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Latest Comment
Matty 03 Jul, 2009 19:29:24 PM
@Marc Thanks for the mention man. I really appreciate it. :) Regarding "rockstar coders", I'd say that keeping things simple, clearly defined and not over-complicating things is a good way to go. Also, keep the code neatly indented and easy to read. :P Regarding "rockstar designers", I'd say that a "rockstar" designer is a designer with a keen eye for detail, proportion and weight of elements, a well-rounded typographical knowledge and a designer who is a...
Promote this Show
10 Benefits of Setting Deadlines
29 Jun '09 |
There are already 14 Comments
About the Show
Marc and I used to have a knack for not getting things done. We would get to 90% of creating an app and then for some reason (client work etc.) we would stop and barely look back.
In fact, we would look back.... in regret. The famous 'what if'.
At the beginning of this year I said to Marc that that had to change and the only we would could do that was if we put ourselves out there. The reason we were not completing personal projects was because we lacked consequence, we didn't have deadlines and we didn't have someone calling us out on it.
So when we created Hash One, I blurted out a launch date on From the Couch without Marc knowing the date. All of a sudden we had purpose and we had consequence.
Motivation
- We find it is always better to set goals and the deadline is just another goal. By having that goal you have something to aim for.
- You will be more motivated to finish your project if you know that something is going to happen, you can look forward to the day after (Did / Didn't it work?). I think if we didn't set a deadline for Hash One we would still be thinking about it.
- If you miss that deadline there is a threat of consequence, someone may call you out with a #fail tag next to your name... and that is never a nice feeling.
Marketing
By setting that deadline you can:
- Brand the launch date and use that number as a marketing tool.
- Collaborate with other bloggers and plan your launch to coincide with guest / launch posts on their blogs.
- Create hype by using that launch date as deadline, doing things such as the Obox Launch Diary give you the power to spread the word that something big is happening on the day.
- Plan posts with sneak peaks and count down the days with a sneak-peak-a-day-before launch.
- If you do miss the deadline there is bound to be someone who will call you out, you can use that as an opportunity too. At least they are talking about you and you can discuss the 'controversy' around missing it. So even though its horrible to have a #fail next to your twitter name there is always a chance to turn it around. You wouldn't have had that opportunity if there was no set date.
Features
Setting a launch date avoids feature bloat:
- You prioritize what can be done now and what is most important before launch.
- You minimize the amount of bugs that may creep in because you are focusing too much on creating features instead of what needs to be done now.
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Latest Comment
Carl - Web Courses Bangkok 01 Jul, 2009 08:20:16 AM
Totally agree with your saying guys, when we do CMS managed pages we need to limit what the client can do so that they can only use standard HTML. We make sure we have set styles for all the generic and normally used HTML. Too much choice can be dangerous with CMSssss Thanks, C...
Drawing the latest Wallpapers
27 Jun '09 |
There are already 5 Comments
About the Show
At the moment I am trying to add some cool illustrations to our Left Handed theme, this video is a sped up version of me tracing one of my attempts.
I didn't end up using this design for the site but decided to turn them into wallpapers for you to use.
New Left Handed Wallpapers to Download!
Enjoy.
P.S It's the radio playing in the background.
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Latest Comment
Trent Wood 29 Jun, 2009 15:59:22 PM
You make it look so easy. I could watch you do this all day. Cheers, Trent...
Understanding your design in order to add detail
26 Jun '09 |
There are already 4 Comments
About the Show
In my opinion a design is never complete unless it has consistency and detail. Consistency and detail are what separate the good from extraordinary, those sites where everywhere you look there is something to be found.
We all want to achieve a level of design which can blow our visitors out of the water and I am sure many of you have experienced what I have recently...
We have been working flat out on our new themes Left Handed and Arcade. They are both two completely different styles but both require a huge amount of detail. Up until yesterday I was having issues with the culture of Arcade.
I found myself asking questions such as, what is it? A space theme? A retro theme? How do I improve empty areas? etc.
Slowly but surely I was trying to get an understanding of my design, an understanding of its position in my own design world. I needed to understand why I put certain elements where they are and why I used a colour for this link as apposed to that link. As I sat there thinking away and trying multiple different footers/link colours/buttons styles it all eventually clicked.
And once it clicked it was like an avalanche, the detail came pouring out and I was eventually able to focus on the range of blacks, the intensity of the shiny-glare elements and link colours.
I would have never got to that point if I had never challenged myself, I could have stuck with what I had but it just didn't feel right. I am a strong believer that if you try hard enough you can be completely satisfied with your design. It takes effort and complete understanding of what you want and need.
To end off an awesome Friday I thought I would also leave you with a cool list of sites that I really really like:
Apple Reviews
Metal Labs
Pirata
Weight Shift
Stack Overflow - Carsonified
Elliot Jay Stocks
Washtenaw
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Latest Comment
SteHan Botha 29 Jun, 2009 10:36:25 AM
Really great point guys. This was my 1st visit to your blog [via Danny Outlaw - River Current] and I'm well impressed, no doubt I'll visit again. I think the difference between a remarkable designer and a mediocre one is that awareness when something is indeed missing - and finding it is part of the adventure which is design! ;-)...
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Latest Comment
Brendan 04 Jul, 2009 00:40:43 AM
Where can I order those monitor 'elevators'? (3:20) From the States? A nice and relaxed episode. Cheers....