Challis Hodge’s UXblog

Here’s what the good folks over at Doctors Foster and Smith have to say about the PetPocket Bird Carrier:

Easily transport your bird - to the veterinarian or the park - and keep him close, safe, and secure. Hands-free, vest-style bird carrier has padded shoulder straps and quick-clip waist strap for comfort. Durable mesh fabric allows good airflow and visibility for your bird. Zippered opening at top and bottom allows access. Removable bottom tray catches messes and wipes clean easily. Includes 1/2″ diameter beveled perch and two toy hanging loops. For small and medium size birds, such as parakeets, conures, canaries, finches, budgies, and lovebirds.

To the vet in your car…OK. In the park….maybe. On an airplane or the subway…no way! Raise your hand if you know how loud some of these parrots can be. You there with the white feather dust all over your black shirt (that’s me). I have a pet cockatoo. A Moluccan cockatoo can scream at 135 decibels! Is that loud you ask? A 747. Jumbo Jet produces 140 decibels!

Bring on the budgies folks! Bring em to work, bring em to school. No excuses. Get your PetPocket Bird Carrier today! Dont forget your birdie defibrillator though. All of that ‘visibility’ is going to rock your little birdie’s world. These animals are quite easily spooked given their instinct to not be eaten in the wild.

Just came across this Periodic Table of Videos over at the University of Nottingham. Nothing extraordinary here, just a nice cast of characters using technology to make the world a better place…or is it?

Designed by Michael Goretzky (involved in the development of Daimler Chrysler’s SMART automobile), the go-one³ is both a new type of vehicle and a new way of life. For the first time, conservation, frugalness and fitness is combined in a way that are actually provocative, engaging and fun!

The go-one³ is more than an enclosed bicycle [actually tricycle], it’s a “Human Powered Vehicle” [HPV], complete with headlight, backlight and turn signals. By the end of this year these electrical conveniences will be expanded to include an optional 500 Watt electric assist motor.

Too beautiful for a description…

Use this model to guide your thinking, processes, and approaches when making things for people on behalf of your clients. Its an hierarchy. Each level of need is only meaningful if the previous levels have been met. If you solve for the top of the pyramid your clients will be successful and their customers will be happy.

Thanks Maslow!

Catriona Cornett has recently launched an awesome new UX blog titled InspireUX. According to Catriona:

This site posts inspiring user experience quotes on \”quote cards\” that you can save or print, to remind user experience designers of the impact that their work has on the world.

When I took my first look at the blog one of the quote cards jumped out at me immediately. It was a quote by Kathy Sierra under the post “The Best User Experiences are Enchanting.” Katy’s quote is as follows:

The best user experiences are enchanting. They help the user enter an alternate reality, whether it’s the world of making music, writing, sharing photos, coding, or managing a project.

and my response:

I totally agree…when enchantment is what the user wants or needs. In many other cases the best user experiences are invisible. The people we design for are often delighted by simply accomplishing their intended goals. We as designers and UX practitioners are commonly guilty of creating disruptions along the way. In my experience, the most successful user experiences are defined at the overlap of business goals/objectives and user wants/needs. Leaning in one direction or the other is suboptimal. Enchantment sometimes fits perfectly in that overlap but its not as often as we might like to believe. Just ask your users :)

So go give InspireUX a look. Its a great concept with potential to add a lot to our community.