Articles

Ask DN: Would you be interested in a plugin for writing Processing code directly into Sketch?

Hi fellow designers. I have a question for you: would you be interested in a plugin that allows you to write [Processing](https://processing.org/) (actually, [p5.js](https://p5js.org)) code directly inside Sketch?
The idea it to allow designers to create complex graphics with very few lines of code and to work somewhat easily with dynamic datasets.
I hacked together something during the weekend but I decided to follow the proper design process and gather some feedbacks before putting hours and hours into this.
Here’s a small video: https://vid.me/ckMd

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Articles

Why Design Isn’t Just Lipstick on a Pig

By Traci Lepore
Published: December 21, 2015
“Teams are again treating design like an embellishment, a superficial veneer whose purpose is to cover flaws—that dreaded lipstick on a pig. I blame this sorry state of affairs on agile and Lean methods.”
Does it sometimes feel like design has become a four-letter word? As I interact with product teams lately, design seems to have become a bit of a groan inducer. And I had thought we were beyond that! It had been a while since I’d encountered this particular issue, but it is starting to creep back in.
Why are we experiencing this déjà vu? Simple. Teams are again treating design like an embellishment, a superficial veneer whose purpose is to cover flaws—that dreaded lipstick on a pig. I blame this sorry state of affairs on agile and Lean methods. These so-called iterative processes are all the rage. Their focus is on fast execution and ditching documentation. But in focusing on production, some teams set up a situation in which they fail to think and plan. And, without any vision, teams are heading down a treacherous path.

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Articles

Instagram iOS app first time user experienceThe good bitsEach…

Instagram iOS app first time user experience

The good bits

  • Each screen in setup is focused on a single task, and there is no introductory tour to distract users from the steps at hand. Screens are consistent whether the user is signing up via email or via Facebook.
  • When asked to create his username, the app provides realtime validation as to whether that name is available.
  • During setup, the new user is encouraged to choose interests and follow the accounts of contacts or suggested people.  This adds a personal focus that can set him up for success.
  • Outside of the setup flow, Instagram relies on well-placed inline cues so that the user can learn by exploring. Empty screens use inline cues to educate the user about what that section is for, and show an action the user can do to populate content.
  • The education on most blank slates makes it clear that sharing media is the app’s key action. All camera permissions are asked at runtime, providing immediate context so that the user understands why he needs to allow access.
  • Other inline cues show up over time, like the hint to use Instagram Direct, or the “Tap video for sound” tip that appears on videos and eventually reduces to a simple “unmute” icon.

To be improved

  • The app forces the new user to sign up before showing any content, despite the fact that it is a content browsing product. The user is asked to add a lot of personal information (contacts, Facebook profiles) without knowing how it pays off.  
  • Choosing Facebook login doesn’t shorten the setup steps by much.  Even if the new user chooses to follow his Facebook friends, he will still be prompted to “Find contacts.“
  • The prompt for notifications permission is abrupt, and takes away from the hero moment when the new user enters the full app experience after completing setup.
  • If the new user chooses to follow no accounts during setup, a plain photographic blank slate message is shown on the home screen. The app could consider showing suggestions inline on the home screen, just like it does for users who *have* followed accounts, instead of making him select “Find People to Follow.”

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