Design Critiques

What makes some designs good and others bad? Why do some designs work while others don’t? Posts in this category offer thoughtful design critiques of modern digital interfaces, with commentary inspired by Don Norman’s “The Design of Everyday Things.”

Assistive Technology: Liftware Steady

Liftware Steady is an electronic stabilizing handle with a selection of attachments that include a soup spoon, everyday spoon, fork, and spork. Liftware Steady is designed to help people suffering from hand tremors, which may be related to Parkinson’s disease or essential tremor, eat more easily. The stabilizing handle contains sensors that detect hand motion and a small onboard computer that distinguishes unwanted tremor from the intended movement of the hand. To stabilize the utensil, the computer directs two motors in the handle to move the utensil attachment in the opposite direction of any detected tremor.

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Opera iOS Application Featured Image

Design Critique: Opera

Opera has built web browsers since 1995, and continues to improve its products to foster compelling web experiences. I recently downloaded the Opera iOS Opera has built web browsers since 1995, and continues to improve its products to foster compelling web experiences. I recently downloaded the Opera iOS app to learn more about Opera’s advances,

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HelloTalk logo

Design Critique: HelloTalk (Android App)

HelloTalk is a language learning and language exchange app that connects language learners with native speakers on their mobile devices. Users can post Moments to share and ask questions about language/culture. The app also serves as a messaging application that allows users to send text messages, make video and voice calls, and share attachments and user location. In this post, I will be taking concepts from Don Norman’s The Design of Everyday Things to examine the app in more detail.

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Design Critique: Co-Star (iPhone App)

Co-Star is a popular astrology app for Gen Z (18-25 in the US) iPhone users, for it’s ability to provide easy to digest birth charts, advice for the day based on your planet transits, and a social aspect to compare and contrast charts with your added friends. (It should be noted that these daily horoscopes have been criticized for promoting negativity in users in the past.)

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