an event apart - conference takeaways
DESCRIPTION
I recently attended An Event Apart conference. I put together a slideshow to talk about my observations and what I considered to be the top 5 most impactful topics that were discussed. Conference covered aspects of web design, development, and user experience.TRANSCRIPT
AN EVENT APARTThe Design Conference for People Who Make Websites
CONFERENCE OVERVIEW
CONFERENCE OVERVIEW
• National conference
• Attended Atlanta, GA Event
• 12 total sessions
• 1 full day workshop
• Topics focused on design, development, and usability
• Diverse, extremely talented people
Jeffrey ZeldmanGodfather of Web Standards
Andrew ClarkeGodfather of CSS
Diverse Audience
TOP 5 TAKEAWAYS
#5
SERIOUSLY, GO MOBILE
#5
Global Annual Unit Sales (Millions)
0
70
140
210
280
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
PC
Global Annual Unit Sales (Millions)
0
350
700
1050
1400
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
PC Smartphones + Tablets
Mobile Holiday Shopping in US
2011 - 14% 2012 - 30% 2013 - 50%
Mobile Emails Opened
2011 - 20% 2012 - 36% 2013 - 50%
PayPal Mobile Payments
2010 - $750M 2011 - $4B 2012 - $14B 2013 - $27B
NOV 30, 2009
SERIOUSLY, GO MOBILE
• Mobile is here. Embrace mobile-first methodology.
• Forecasts were made over 4 years ago.
• Emphasize content hierarchy
• Practice good form design patterns
• Pay close attention to performance
#4
UX STRATEGY = BUSINESS
#4
Increase Revenue
Decrease Costs
Increase New Business
Increase Existing Business
Increase Shareholder Value
REV
NEW
COST
EXIST
VALUE
Business Strategic Priorities
– Jared Spool
“Delivering the content is just as important as the content itself.”
UX STRATEGY = BUSINESS
• Design is the rendering of intent
• The executive priorities help map our design intentions into business objectives (and vise versa)
• Don’t end up like the Underpants Gnomes
• Always circle back to the business objectives before any decisions (or revisions) are made
#3
MAXIMIZE PERFORMANCE
#3
– Jason Grigsby
“People demand fast web sites, yet sites are getting slower each year.”
72% Responsive sites send roughly the same data
to mobile and desktop users
4096x2160 (4K) ~ 10MB
MAXIMIZE PERFORMANCE
• Incorporate server-side methods
• Take advantage of performance testing
• Treat images carefully
• Be observant of server requests
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle…seriously!
#2
DATA DRIVES DESIGN
#2
– Samantha Warren
“Get everyone on the same page, not thinking through preference.”
Kickoff Meetings
Instincts are experiments. Data is proof.
What if we could arrive at kickoff meetings with a plan of action?
2560x1440
5”27”
2560x1440
DATA DRIVES DESIGN
• User-centric design always wins
• Incorporate and improve data-collecting methods.
• Know your medium: craft to human scale, not resolution.
• Never assume anything. Always make informed decisions.
#1
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY
#1
– Stephen Hay
“We’re not designing pages, we’re designing systems of components.”
Question everything. Never settle.
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY
• Get everybody on the same page, speaking the same language.
• Focus on the root of the problem, rather than attempted solutions.
• Provide pattern libraries per project to increase education.
• The most important part of any project is the plan.
• Question everything. Never settle for 'just good enough'.
• The best way to learn is by doing, not telling.
• We don't design pages, we design systems. Modular and flexible.
LET’S RECAP
Top 5 Takeaways
1. Communication is the Key
2. Data Drives Design
3. Maximize Performance
4. UX Strategy = Business
5. Seriously, Go Mobile
– Mark Riggan
“Be passionate in the work that you do. Never settle for gold, when there’s platinum to achieve.”
AN EVENT APARTThe Design Conference for People Who Make Websites