Method

The Interaction13 program is finally live!

Organized by the Interaction Design Association, IxDA13 is a 4-day event designed to explore how interaction designers can continue to evolve their craft and enhance social collaborations in order to drive important innovation.

This year’s lineup is packed with stellar  panels and workshop sessions, including two presentations by Method team members: Martina Schell, Interaction Design Lead, and Adam Little, Sr. Interaction Designer!

A little more about Martina and Adam’s presentations:

Lean Startup In Design Consulting: Lessons Learned Presentation with Martina Schell and Johanna Kollmann
As fast, user-centered development gains acceptance, many startups have successfully adopted a Lean Startup philosophy. But, why is it that many agencies and their clients still struggle to apply this methodology to larger-scale projects? What can – and should – consulting firms learn and embrace from startups? In this presentation, Martina Schell from Method and Johanna Kollman from Sidekick Studios will discuss the evolution of a product development philosophy for clients and agencies. Drawing from their experience leading UX and product design at startups, in-house, and now at consultancies, they will explore how they have applied Lean Startup methodologies in a consulting context. Are interaction designer and product people who apply Lean Startup the next big thing in consulting, or is it just another buzzword? Expect war stories and hear personal anecdotes about what has or hasn’t worked, and judge for yourself.

Realism in Design: Communicating Authentic Experiences for the Real World Presentation with Adam Little
This presentation will interest everyone who is tired of concept videos that feel like TV ads, future visions that are dated the moment they go online, and product scenarios that resemble life with the Brady Bunch. It will address the value and technique for communicating future products and services that are firmly grounded in real life situations. Drawing on examples from outside of the design world, we will see how artists and film makers have used the spirit of realism to create lasting works that are authentic and truthful. Interaction Designers, who are often tasked with designing product visions and intangible services, must embrace realism in the same way to create relevant stories and natural atmospheres that effortlessly and accurately communicate the experiences and benefits of tomorrow’s systems, particularly as they play out in the lives of real people. The examples (both good and bad) and techniques discussed will go beyond the power of storytelling, or why Lorem Ipsum should be avoided, so that we can understand why and how designers can produce work that foregoes features and decoration in favor of something more meaningful. This approach will help designers simultaneously answers the questions “how does this product work” and “why does this product exist”, and may even save time and money by leveraging low-fi aesthetics and keeping production to a minimum.

Register for Interaction13 today. We hope to see you in Toronto!

Having partnered with Method to launch ViewChange.org in 2010, Link TV came back to Method earlier this year to design an iPad news app that would allow readers to explore its rich library of international television news, raw videos, and documentaries.

With the Link TV team, Method helped to create the LinkTV World News, an app with an array of tools for news junkies who only want the most informative, relevant, and trustworthy information.

Launched in November 2012, we’re excited to report that in it’s first week, the LinkTV World News app reached #1 in the App Store “News” category! It has been extremely well received by the media, with major news sources and tech blogs raving about the app’s features. “LinkTV World News is basically an alternative video news outlet that can help you find stories you’ll likely miss if you spend most of your time on mainstream news sites and Youtube,” said NBC News.

For a deeper look at how Method designed the LinkTV World News app read the case study.

Download the app for free from the iTunes App Store!

IXDA Interaction Awards is an initiative of the Interaction Design Association (IxDA), a global network of over 25,000 members worldwide dedicated to the professional practice of Interaction Design. Just a few days ago, the IXDA committee finalized its shortlist of entries for the 2013 Interaction Awards.

We are proud to announce that among 75 projects from 17 countries, two Method projects are on the list!

The IXDA separates its shortlist by the following categories:

Optimizing: Making daily activities more efficient
Engaging: Capturing attention, creating delight and delivering meaning.
Empowering: Enabling people to go beyond their limits.
Expressing: Encouraging self expression and/or creativity.
Connecting: Facilitating communication between people and communities.
Disrupting: Re-imagining completely an existing product or service by creating new behaviors, usages or markets.

The Method projects chosen are the Reuters The Wider Image, for the Engaging category, and Viggle, for the Empowering category.

IXDA’s international Jury Panel will be evaluating these Method projects, and the rest of the shortlist, on November 10 & 11.

Our latest 10×10 piece, The Art of Noise, has just launched!

Principal Paul Valerio explores the value of statistical and data-oriented noise – a factor many researchers and designers often try to remove.

The article examines the importance of noise in the design process, from the way it can contribute to our cognitive understanding of a problem to the context and additional understanding it can provide. Pattern-based thinking is embedded in how we perceive things, so we often ignore the noise information outside of our immediate interests – which ultimately is information that can improve our understanding of the topic and problem at hand.

How do we begin to value and understand noise? And what value does it truly provide in the context of solving complex problems?

Read The Art of Noise at 10×10.method.com.

Method’s Q&A presentation, ‘What’s So Funny About Innovation?‘, is in!

Method principal Paul Valerio will be sharing the stage with comedian and best-selling author, Baratunde Thurston, for a Q&A around comedy and how it can be used for brand, product, and service innovation. Roughly 450 proposals were chosen this year from over 3,300 submissions, so we sincerely thank all who voted. We can’t wait to see you in Austin!

‘What’s So Funny About Innovation?’ Panel Description

Anything compelling has to have a human element to it, but humans are inherently complex, and therefore unpredictable. The most successful innovations often seem counter-intuitive when they are introduced, but that’s what can make them so valuable. So, if logic so often fails, how do you innovate and create brands, products, and services that people will connect with, care about, and value?

Take a cue from stand-up comedians: like brands, they have to consistently deliver fresh, innovative thinking that their audiences relate with. What lessons can designers and brands learn from the deliberately counter-intuitive comedy industry?

Read Paul’s 10×10 piece, ‘What’s So Funny About Innovation?‘, that inspired the SXSW Q&A!

To learn more about Baratunde, visit www.baratunde.com. He’s the founder of Cultivated Wit, served as Director of Digital for The Onion and writes the monthly back page column for Fast Company. His book, How To Be Black, is a New York Times Best Seller.

Join us at the PSFK Conference on November 1st!

Now in its third year, the conference brings together the world’s leading creative thinkers to explore the latest trends and inspirations discussed daily on psfk.com. Lined up to speak are a diverse range of presenters with backgrounds in art, technology, design, marketing, and media.

One of this year’s presenters is Method Principal Marc Shillum. Marc will talk about his piece, Brand As Patterns, which focuses on the belief that creating a believable and consistent brand begins with the creation of coherent patterns. He will also be discussing what it means to consider brands as patterns and how this viewpoint can help build dynamic relationships between brands and customers.

For a more in-depth look at what Marc will be talking about at the conference, check out his original Brand As Patterns piece and the recent chat he had with PSFK about brand patterns and how to achieve relevancy in the digital age.

If you’re in San Francisco, we’d love for you to attend! Register today for a 50% promotional discount when you use the code “method” ! See you there!

Every year, design studios in San Francisco gather on one field for what is always, undoubtedly a magnificent display of sportsmanship and athletic prowess. That’s right, we play dodgeball.

This year, Method dominated. Well, for two rounds at least. The rest of the day we enjoyed tacos, bocce ball, and cheering on the teams still in the game. Despite not winning the tournament, we left in high spirits and look forward to facing off again next year!

To see more dodgeball pictures, visit the Method Facebook page!

Method at the annual CCA Career Expo (image credit: CCA)

Method has a valued relationship with the California College of the Arts (CCA). Several of our designers have taught there–our own Ben Fullerton is currently teaching a class on interaction design–and we love representing Method at CCA recruiting events and attending student shows.

So, we were thrilled when a new survey by PayScale, a compensation data company, confirmed that CCA is ranked first among art and deign schools in the country in regards to alumni with the highest-paying jobs. The annual report ranks undergraduate degrees and schools by post-graduation salary potential. In the Bay Area, CCA ranks fourth (behind Stanford University, Santa Clara University, and University of California, Berkeley). Statewide, CCA is ninth.

Congrats, CCA!

link: Survey: CCA is Top U.S. Art and Design School for Career Success

Method London wanted to take the whole team on an activity day away from computer screens. Something wet seemed suitable (as we didn’t know if it would rain) and when it came down to a vote, coasteering–a sport that involves a wild mix of adventure swimming, sea-level traversing, and rock diving–won out!

On Friday, early last month, 29 Method team members took the train from Paddington to Totness station and then cars to the Old Vicarage in Devon, a huge place with a great garden and glorious views across the Devonshire farmland. We were also greeted by the sunniest weather since May!

Later that day, we went coasteering for 3 hours with our trusty Sea-N-Shore instructors, exploring caves and rock formations, plunging into the sea from great heights. Our last jump was comparable to leaping from the roof of a two-story house. Both terrifying and extremely fun, the day was a great team-building experience and the ultimate in adrenaline-inducing water sports activities. That night back at the house, we BBQ’d and relaxed by a fire with a few glasses of sangria.


On Saturday, we played cricket on the beach, and later in the evening, Director of Interaction Design, Alexander Grünsteid, directed a team in the kitchen to create the most delicious 3 course-meal for 17 people (mint soup, stuffed peppers and sweet dumplings). Followed by Tequila agave cocktails, of course.

As we prepared to leave on Sunday, the weather turned grey and wet and we were ready to head home. Some of us even took much needed naps on the train ride. All in all, our trip to Devon was a truly delightful experience!

image from Sha Hwang's presentation

We’re a diverse group of creatives at Method, always looking to learn from other thinkers and makers in the field. So, we’re especially thrilled when someone as talented and interesting as Sha Hwang is able to visit us.

A data visualization expert, Sha is the founder of Movity and current design technologist at Trulia (Trulia acquired Movity in 2010). He’s also been listed as one of  Forbes’ 30 Under 30, has given data visualization presentations at the White House, and as we found out, is and incredibly funny, kind and patient teacher.

Over the course of one week, Sha came to Method’s San Francisco studio and led us in two private workshops, taking us from understanding the principals of data visualization to prototyping our own projects.

In our first session, Sha covered how we can look at data as a material and the various questions and strategies that can drive visualizations of data. We looked at examples from various sources and discussed ways to find, gather and organize data. We also explored ways to start collecting data about ourselves and our neighborhoods. Asking questions, like ‘How do I spend my money?’ ‘How often do I check an electronic device each day?’ and ‘How many steps do I take during my commute?’

By the end of session, we brainstormed the type of data we wanted to collect over the next few days, so that we could begin to sketch and further refine, and figure out the best tools to turn our prototypes into built projects.

With Sha’s help, we were set with data and new tools for exploring how to visually bring our information to life. The entire workshop was truly fascinating and inspiring. We couldn’t be more grateful to Sha for spending his time with us!