15 Matching Annotations
  1. Mar 2025
    1. Tension and the three-act structure of stories

      I think tension is what keeps a story engaging, and the three-act structure helps build and release that tension in a meaningful way. The first act sets up the world and introduces conflicts, the second act deepens the struggle and raises stakes, and the third act brings resolution. This structure keeps the audience invested, making the payoff feel satisfying and earned.

  2. Feb 2025
    1. We use design to sustain, heal, and empower our communities, as well as to seek liberation from exploitative and oppressive systems.

      I see design as more than just creating things—it’s a powerful tool for sustaining, healing, and empowering our communities. It helps us challenge and break free from exploitative and oppressive systems, shaping a future that is more just and inclusive. When used intentionally, design can be a force for real change.

    1. The third and last paradigm we’ll discuss is analytical

      I think the third and final paradigm we’ll discuss is analytical, focusing on systematic reasoning and data-driven decision-making. This approach emphasizes logic, structure, and measurable outcomes to evaluate problems and solutions. It helps ensure clarity and objectivity in complex discussions.

    1. Critique leverages intuition, expertise, and judgement.

      I think critique relies on a combination of intuition, expertise, and judgment to provide meaningful insights. It goes beyond simple evaluation by considering both objective analysis and subjective perspectives. A well-executed critique helps refine ideas, improve designs, and drive more effective decision-making.

    1. Computers are functional machines, and so their behavior is governed by the concepts of input, output, and algorithms that compute output based on input.

      I think computers are fundamentally functional machines, operating based on input, output, and algorithms that determine how inputs are processed into outputs. This structured approach allows them to perform complex tasks efficiently and consistently. Understanding these principles helps in designing better software and optimizing computational processes.

    1. The fastest and easiest form of prototype is a sketch

      I believe the fastest and easiest form of prototype is a sketch. It allows me to quickly visualize ideas and make rapid iterations without investing too much time or resources. Sketching helps me explore different concepts early in the design process before refining them further.

    1. Perhaps the most important part of the survey process is the creation of questions that accurately measure the opinions, experiences and behaviors of the public.

      I think the most crucial aspect of the survey process is crafting questions that effectively capture the public’s opinions, experiences, and behaviors. Well-designed questions ensure reliable data and meaningful insights, making them essential for drawing accurate conclusions. A poorly worded or biased question can lead to misleading results, ultimately affecting the validity of the entire survey.

    1. A competitive analysis provides strategic insights into the features, functions, flows, and feelings evoked by the design solutions of your competitors. By understanding these facets of competitors’ products, you can strategically design your solution with the goal of making a superior product and/or experience

      I think this explanation of competitive analysis is clear and highlights its strategic importance. Understanding not just the features and functions but also the user experience and emotions tied to competitor products is crucial. This helps identify gaps and opportunities to create a product that better meets user needs.

  3. Jan 2025
    1. User-friendly. This is another imprecise phrase. What does it mean to be “friendly” with a user? Nice? Supportive? Helpful? This phrase suggests a lot without meaning a lot, and does not facilitate precise design critique.

      I agree that "user-friendly" is an imprecise phrase because it lacks clarity and can mean different things to different people. Instead of relying on vague terms, it’s more productive to define specific criteria, like ease of navigation, accessibility, or intuitiveness, when evaluating or critiquing a design. Clear, precise language not only fosters better communication among designers but also leads to more thoughtful and effective design solutions.

    1. I mentioned a mystical abductive process called “creativity”. But I didn’t explain where it comes from, how it works, or how you “do” it. Is this something that you can learn to do? It is something you’re born with?

      I think creativity is a combination of both innate ability and learned skill. While some people might have a natural inclination toward creative thinking, it’s also something that can be nurtured through practice, exposure to diverse ideas, and problem-solving experiences. The "mystical" aspect of creativity often comes from how unpredictable and spontaneous it can feel, but tools like brainstorming, mind mapping, and collaboration can help anyone tap into their creative potential.

    1. you can also define scenarios

      Defining scenarios can help us better understand how users might interact with a product or system in real-life situations, allowing designers to anticipate needs and challenges. By creating detailed scenarios, we can explore different contexts and perspectives, ensuring that the design is practical, inclusive, and adaptable. It leads to more user-centered solutions that effectively address real-world problems and improve overall user experiences.

    1. Everyone designs who devises courses of action aimed at changing existing situations into preferred ones.

      I think this statement is very true because design is not limited to creating physical products or visuals; it’s about problem-solving and improving. Anyone who plans and takes action to make things better is engaging in design, no matter they're developing a new app, organizing a community even. This broad perspective on design emphasizes creativity and intentionality in making positive changes in the world.

    1. good” design

      I think good design is something that not only looks appealing but also serves a meaningful purpose and solves problems effectively. It should prioritize user needs, be accessible to diverse groups, and align with human values to create a positive impact. Good design combines functionality and aesthetics to enhance user experiences.

    2. encouraging designers to consider human values

      I agree with this sentence: I think considering human values is one of the most important things while designing, as it ensures that technology aligns and satisfies with the needs of people. Reflecting on the examples provided, I find out how that design can be viewed from multiple perspectives. For instance, framing a pizza delivery app as a tool for elderly independence highlights the potential for designs to empower marginalized groups, while the TSA example underscores the need for critical reflection on the societal and political implications of design choices.

    1. When I was an undergraduate, I didn’t have a clue about design. Like most students in technical fields, I thought design was about colors, fonts, layout, and other low-level visual details.

      That's what I was thinking in high school. I thought design was just all about fashion, clothes, shoes, and aesthetics. Then I realized design is about anything you create that can be helpful to this world, whether it's a tool, a system, or even a way of thinking. This perspective shift helped me appreciate how design shapes our interactions with technology, solves complex problems, and impacts society on a deeper level.