Skip to the content

Error! Your browser is IE 6.0, released in 2001. It is not secure and lacks today's features.
Upgrade to a modern browser. You'll be a happier and safer surfer.

Client login for Goldman Design Close

Blog

WCAG Contrast Guidelines

Did you know … #575757 is lightest gray on white contrast for any size text to pass WCAG triple A, #767676 for any size text to pass double A? The meta data below? No way near the 7.1 contrast needed.

http://www.w3.org/TR/2007/WD-WCAG20-TECHS-20070517/#G17

How do you present designs to others?

Material Honesty in Software UI Graphics

We call it material honesty in industrial design (no simulated wood grain on microwaves). What material honesty rules do your UI graphics use?

Web Material Trends

  • Stucco
  • Rubberized plastic
  • Flat-brushed aluminum

Mobile Material Trends

  • Metal grates
  • Fine linen paper
  • Glass

Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines on the Subject

iPhone In App Purchase Screen Shots : Tap Tap Revenge 3

Soon we’re sure most people will be familiar with the iPhone in app purchase experience. Until then, here’s a screen shot sequence from Tap Tap Revenge 3 showing the (1) in app purchase of some avatar bling, (2) in app purchase of a song and (3) the purchase history for everything.

Tap Tap Revenge 3: In App Purchase: Avatar Bling

iPhone In App Puchases of Tap Tap Revenge 3 Avatar Bling

Tap Tap Revenge 3: In App Purchase: Song

iPhone In App Puchases of Tap Tap Revenge 3 Song

In App Purchase: Purchase Breakdowns

Failing to know your users = $1billion lost

Large projects or small, user-centered design can save a lot of time and money. See Watching the Border: The Virtual Fence (or video) Reported by 60 Minutes.

  • They didn’t test early and often. Thus, the systems fail in the high heat of AZ and NM.
  • They didn’t test in context with users. Thus, failed to know border patrols can’t use desktop UI’s while bouncing through rugged terrain.
  • They didn’t ask the border patrol what they’d like from the system. Thus the system ended up tracking things besides people.
  • They didn’t small scale test before implementing the full system. Thus the system costs more than anticipated to maintain.
  • Boeing – the design vendor on the project – over promised, failed to understand the design context and failed to talk with the user.

Next Post