Design Jones

Web Designer Wall have a good roundup of user interface and experience trends and what to expect in 2010 as things moves forward. Their overall feel is that we’re moving towards much greater simplicity. Single page sites, larger areas of white space and the influence of iPhone apps and their sites to grow. Here’s a brief excerpt on what they mean by ‘Design Simplicity’ but you can read the article in full HERE.

“This means fewer pages, less clicks, less clutter and more whitespace. In 2010, clean is King… Now, more than ever, design needs to engage the user, provide succinct information and allow them to go on their merry way…

Now Design Simplicity does not mean removing functionality or access to information. This trend of simplicity is not as easy as reducing the elements and content in your user interface. To achieve the less is more effect, you have to develop a valuable user experience by utilizing a creative toolset.”

I’m loving these stencils from UI Stencils. Available for both iPhone and Web development and with matching sketch pads too! I can imagine the iPhone one being really useful as storyboarding iPhone apps is still a relatively new discipline. You can find them HERE.

OK, so my iPhone is yet to arrive but I’m pretty sure this will be one of the first app’s I’ll download. Love the interface design, ease of use and the simplicity of using the shopping list feature and handy videos if you get stuck. Very nice! You can find out more and see a sample video HERE.

Need to find a pantone reference or create a colour palette to share with others? There’s an app for that! Pantone’s new application for the iPhone and iTouch—myPantone—allows users easy access to the Pantone color libraries, serving as an on-the-go color reference guide. You can find out more HERE (via CoolHunting)

What a great, valuable giveaway from French designer Julien Madérou! At least it would be if I owned an iPhone! For those of you who fancy some cutting and folding today you can download the free PDF HERE.

This week Smashing Magazine have published a couple of articles relating to iPhone Application design. Having recently completed the design for my first one, they have been really useful in terms of confirming what is ‘best practice’ and the process of creating something for a relatively new medium. You can read thearticle about overdeisgning various elements HERE, and the basics of creating an application HERE. They are well worth bookmarking should you ever need it.

Just in case your iPhone wasn’t gorgeous enough already, Smashing Magazine have published a gallery of inspirational wallpapers produced specifically for the iPhone. So far I’ve managed to resist the urge and hype surounding this amazing product (the thought of never being able to switch off from emails and the web does not appeal to me) but I can sense my resolve weakening already! Click here to view the rest of the gallery.

So far I have managed to resist the pull of the iPhone but just when I thought it was safe Genoco have developed an iPhone application making ordering your favourite beverage much easier and quicker. No word on whether or not this has been picked up by Starbucks but it certainly is a neat idea with a beautiful interface.