Month: March 2018

Best Design Books Not Explicitly About Design

Daniel Burka recently created a list of design books that aren’t about design:

I asked a whole bunch of designers what books, which weren’t specifically about digital or graphic design, inspired them.

Looking at the list I noted I’ve read four of the twelve books: 4, 7, 10, 12. Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud is one where I’ve purchased extra copies and given them to friends, especially those who say “I’m not visual” or “I’m not really a designer.” It’s a fun format, different from most other books I generally come across.

(Understanding Comics also appeared on my reading list for “craft” at ThemeConf a few years ago.)

My takeaway from this book list is that it reinforces the fact that design isn’t just about visual and graphics. Design is thinking. Design is systems. Design is life.

Hitsville

You can build something that the cool kids love. You can build something that the bystanders love. Or you can build a cult favorite. Best to do it on purpose.

Via Seth Godin’s new podcast, Akimbo.

Boaz Muhumuza: I’m Not a Problem to Be Solved

Via a disability rights project by The Open Society Foundations, an engaging and personal message about disability as mismatched conditions by Boaz Muhumuza.

I am not a problem to be solved.

The fact that I don’t see doesn’t mean I don’t think.

Inclusion has a clear meaning… This will mean shifting the framework for how people view disabilities. Previously disability was seen in one of two ways, either as a medical problem or a condition that evoked sympathy or pity. People have often asked me, “Have you tried to go to a hospital for your eyes to be treated?” They look at my lack of sight as the problem that should be solved. Or they see me only as someone to be pitied.

The human rights framework is meant to shift the problem from the person to the environment. The problem is not that I cannot see, but that my environment is limiting.

Hat tip: Akshay.

The Secret (Don’t Label the Technique)

When I come to a conversation without technique and provide the space to listen, I do so because I’ve failed at this a thousand times. I’ve planned and schemed and got lost in my own mind — missing the conversation, missing the moment, missing the person on the other side.

This time I’m going to do it differently.

I’m going to pause, give enough time and space to see other person first. Listen deeply so I can adjust my effort to the situation. If it’s the right moment, share what has worked for me. Later, I can ask how I’m doing to measure success.

That is the secret.

Table Stakes

Via Wikipedia, a canonical bookmark for the business phrase “table stakes” that I’ve heard a few times recently.

In business, table stakes are the minimum entry requirement for a market or business arrangement. They can be price, cost model, technology, or other capability that represents a minimum requirement to have a credible competitive starting position in a market or other business arrangement.

For example, to be a wireless service provider, the table stakes are the basic features you need to have in order to be in that business to achieve foundation capability: network, handsets, a data service, a mail server, etc. Beyond that, real competitive advantage comes from additional nimbleness and cost or product differentiation.

A reference to poker and other gambling games where the “table stakes” represent a limit on the amount a player can win or lose in the play of a single hand.

Note: I’m learning lots of new business terminology, so if you have more insights or examples to illustrate this one — please leave a comment.

Fix the Camera on a Mac Without a Reboot

Via my colleague Jonathan Sadowski, a simple command to run in Terminal to fix your Mac’s camera when it’s not working properly.

sudo killall VDCAssistant

Sometimes the video feed is just black or blank — other times you might see an error like “There is no connected camera.”

After you run that command in Terminal, the camera’s process restarts and the camera should work again. No need to reboot the entire computer.

Note: the command requires entering your administrator password.

Update: if you use the Alfred tool on Mac, Nick shared An Alfred workflow to reload the Mac Camera.

Tucson Parks Foundation

I’m proud to announce I’ve joined the Tucson Parks Foundation as board member.

Screen Shot 2018-03-06 at 17.52.09
Screenshot of the Tucson Parks Foundation website.

The Foundation supplements and supports the City of Tucson Parks & Recreation’s programs, services, and capital projects: particularly for children, at-risk youth, seniors, and the disabled.

In my years in Tucson I’ve enjoyed the beautiful parks, sports fields, attending a wide variety of events — so I’m proud and happy to give back to the cause.

Since the website is powered by WordPress, naturally my role includes webmaster duties (grin). More broadly, I’m serving on the marketing and promotion committee: helping to communicate and engage with our community via social media, the website, email, and other traditional channels.

Are you a non-profit in Tucson or Southern Arizona? I’d love to interview you briefly on how you use your website to collect payments, such as donations and member dues. Please contact me if you’re interested in chatting about this.