Web Design: Improving Home Improvement

July 30th, 2010 by | Share +

Home is where the heart is and the last thing any heart needs is being mislead by gimmicks and empty claims. We love services that help customers make informed choices which is one reason why we like The Home Improvement Solution (THIS: http://www.thissaves.com/). THIS is a free service focused on saving homeowners time and money by providing affordable resources to home improvement products.

In addition to a new logo, we worked with THIS to create a website that showcases their fresh approach and large catalog of products. With complete pricing by zipcode, THIS offers hundreds of products that customers can fully research before purchasing.

The website features a professional, attractive design with Flash animation on the homepage. Built in WordPress, the bold yet approachable color scheme helps users intuitively navigate the site. The layout was designed to speak to homeowners and JavaScript was used on the product page to maximize screen space and usability.

Here’s a look at the newly launched THIS website:



Check out their website to see what they can do for you on your next home improvement project: http://www.thissaves.com/.

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Why Simplicity is the Answer

July 28th, 2010 by | Share +

JavaScript is ubiquitous on homepages all over the web. Images slide in all directions, things fade in and out and mouse clicks prompt color changes and other cool visual effects.

Despite all the Flash-like features, I’m all about simplicity. I believe that most people (myself included) use the web as a tool, whether it’s to pay bills or to find certain information. When you simplify what users do online, it almost always boils down to something with an end goal.

My task as an Information Architect is to create user interfaces that people can actually use. Having only the user’s end goal, I then try to reverse engineer the design by finding where the user starts. Simply put, how does a user get to where they’re going?

When it comes to user interface design, the simpler the better. Do those drop shadows really help your user achieve their goals? Maybe or maybe not. Do those gradients help or hinder your user from getting around the site?

My tip is to start designing with either wireframes or grayscale versions of the interface. Use intelligently placed and intuitive “paths-to-actions” that are clear, both visually and contextually. Our job as User Experience (UX) designers is to make our user’s task as simple and enjoyable as possible.

In many cases, it’s smart to evaluate whether gradients, drop shadows, whiz-bangs and other gizmos are needed. This might add extra visual appeal, but if those additional features slows a user down from getting to their goal, then it definitely takes away from the user experience.



Case in point: Google. According to a study released by comScore, 66.8% of the global search market is owned by Google. So why does most of the world use Google? Google’s homepage has nothing more than a search box and a few modest links. Bing, one of Google’s rival search engines, has moved towards a similar direction, albeit with a few more visuals. With their plain white background, minimalist layout and intuitive search functions, it’s easy to see that simplicity is one of the main reasons Google has captured a 58% increase in search query volume over the past year.

Simplicity, it seems, is a winner no matter how you look at it.

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Chris RodriguezChris Rodriguez
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Eben Design 2010 Networking Party (Drinks & Food)

July 21st, 2010 by | Share +

We’re gearing up to for another networking party on Thursday, September 16th. Last year’s event was a huge success and we’re expecting another big turnout this year. Here’s all the information you need:

WHEN
Thursday, September 16th 2010 from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. (or whenever the keg runs out)

WHERE
Eben Design
7221 Fifth AVE NE
Seattle, WA 98115
Directions can be found here: http://www.ebendesign.com/directions.cfm

COST
Free, free, free and free! However, please RSVP to let us know how many people we should be expecting.

RSVP
Twitter: http://ow.ly/2bz1m
E-mail: melissa@ebendesign.com with the subject line “Networking Party RSVP”

If you haven’t been to one of our events before, this is a great way to connect with people in various industries. Join us for food, drinks, conversation and live music (courtesy of our musically gifted, guitar strummin’ team members).

Here are a few snapshots from last September’s festivities.



Sushi, deli & vegetable trays, hors d’oeuvres, artisan bread and wraps



From left to right: Todd, Eric and Dan



Patio of Conversation

Please drop by on Thursday, September 16th. Food rolls out at 5 p.m. RSVP via Twitter (http://ow.ly/2bz1m) or by e-mailing melissa@ebendesign.com. See you all soon!

 

Tweet about our event with “@EbenDesign” and the hashtag “#NetworkingParty” so we can enter you in a special raffle.

We’ll give the winner a $50 gift certificate to any of our local Neighborhood Grills during a drawing at the Networking Party.

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MelissaMelissa
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From the Office Inbox

July 12th, 2010 by | Share +

From time to time, we pass around e-mails with links to things we find inspirational, touching and resourceful. Other times, we pass around interesting links we like to laugh at or links that pique our curiosity.

Here are some click-worthy URLs* floating around in our office inbox (much thanks to our Information Architect, Chris Rodriguez):

An Ode to Comic Sans: http://www.mcsweeneys.net/links/monologues/15comicsans.html
Comic Sans strikes back in this fictional monologue/rant to his “snooty” font friends. Warning: this link contains expletives.

Shiny Suds / Creepy Bubbles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ONVUdYjDwM
This is not your typical bathroom cleaner commercial. Parents, we’d give this video a mild PG rating, but it surprisingly sends a good, overall message.

Visualizing the BP Oil Spill in Your Area: http://www.ifitwasmyhome.com/
In Washington State, the BP oil spill would cover almost all of Western Washington. At our offices in Athens, Georgia, the BP oil spill visually covers over half of Georgia State. Take a look to see how much of your area would be covered by the spill.

IBM’s Watson vs. Jeopardy! Players: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC3IryWr4c8
In a short video about IBM’s super computer Watson, the machine prepares to take on two other Jeopardy! contestants. See how well he does in this YouTube video.

Living on America’s Last Frontier: http://www.vbs.tv/newsroom/heimo-s-arctic-refuge-full-length–2
VBS follows a family who lives in America’s most remote location — in Alaska’s National Wildlife Refuge. Their closest neighbor is over 100 miles away and medical attention requires an army helicopter ride. The video is about an hour long, but well worth the watch.

*Note: Please note Eben Design is not responsible for any content posted within external links.

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MelissaMelissa
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