Web design, web development, marketing and strategy blog by Foraker Design of Boulder, Colorado » User Experience

The Ugliest iPhone You Ever Did See

Derek Olson — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:20:03 +0000

As part of our application development process, we're always trying to prove that we've made some bad assumptions. The best way to do this is to get someone to use your app who hasn't been involved in the design and development process.

Unleash the Hounds

Derek Olson — Thu, 13 May 2010 17:41:41 +0000

Ever watch a dog walk through a door into an unfamiliar room? It immediately sniffs around the perimeter, sniffs each person, and sniffs any objects or dark spots on the carpet. The dog is on the lookout for the two essential communication devices of the canine world: food and excrement. Web users act in much the same way.

Usability for Breakfast

Nicole Konkoly — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:34:50 +0000

Our Vice President Derek Olson was interviewed on the local morning radio program “Business for Breakfast” on March 4. “Business for Breakfast” gives listeners current market analysis, economic updates, and interviews with featured guests, on KRCN 1060AM, the flagship station of the Rocky Mountain Radio Network.

Derek had a great time fielding questions from hosts Tom Chenault and Woody Vincent about how Foraker defies the stereotypes of “here today, gone tomorrow” web firms that all too often create software that,…

Does “Above the Fold” Matter?

Derek Olson — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:17:49 +0000

What is “the fold”?

“The fold” comes from printed newspapers (remember those?). In a printed newspaper, the prime real estate is on the front page, above the place where the paper is folded in half.

At a news stand, stories that are above the fold are visible without any manhandling on the part of the consumer. Stories that are above the fold are also typically the only ones you can see (before buying) in newspaper vending machines.

On the web,…

Get Your Web Content In Tune

Nicole Konkoly — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:53:17 +0000

Creating effective web content involves artfully balancing usability and search engine optimization. Viewing content through the lens of your audience is a great first step. On the Web, your audience consists of both website users and search engine bots or "spiders". Let's take a look at some of their unique attributes, as well as corresponding content development methods.