Comments on: Designing Web Apps Workshop with Ryan Singer http://www.thesheep.co.uk/2009/05/01/designing-web-apps-workshop-with-ryan-singer/ Ovine Perspectives On The Digital Age Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:53:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Ben http://www.thesheep.co.uk/2009/05/01/designing-web-apps-workshop-with-ryan-singer/comment-page-1/#comment-277 Ben Sat, 02 May 2009 00:31:22 +0000 http://www.thesheep.co.uk/?p=166#comment-277 That's interesting. As I say, I have found that many non-techie clients don't seem to catch on to the idea of using Basecamp. But perhaps there could be other reasons for that. I think for a project management tool, BC is nice to use, no doubt. I still think some form of user research is an invaluable first stage in designing an app, especially if the primary user base is from a different demographic from the designer. Even if that research just takes the form of speaking to a handful of users informally for 5 or 10 minutes each, it is useful to check our assumptions about what people's goals and understandings are. That’s interesting. As I say, I have found that many non-techie clients don’t seem to catch on to the idea of using Basecamp. But perhaps there could be other reasons for that.

I think for a project management tool, BC is nice to use, no doubt.

I still think some form of user research is an invaluable first stage in designing an app, especially if the primary user base is from a different demographic from the designer. Even if that research just takes the form of speaking to a handful of users informally for 5 or 10 minutes each, it is useful to check our assumptions about what people’s goals and understandings are.

]]> By: Ryan Singer http://www.thesheep.co.uk/2009/05/01/designing-web-apps-workshop-with-ryan-singer/comment-page-1/#comment-276 Ryan Singer Fri, 01 May 2009 17:50:03 +0000 http://www.thesheep.co.uk/?p=166#comment-276 Thanks for the review and kind words Ben. I'd like to argue one point. While our user base has a core of web geeks, they don't constitute the majority and we don't design for web geeks as you say. Our apps are designed for everyday people. Most of our customers feel our apps are the simplest and clearest way to organize their business. For example one thing we often hear from customers is "I could never get my team to use a project management tool before Basecamp." Thanks for posting your thoughts. The feedback is valuable. Thanks for the review and kind words Ben.

I’d like to argue one point. While our user base has a core of web geeks, they don’t constitute the majority and we don’t design for web geeks as you say. Our apps are designed for everyday people. Most of our customers feel our apps are the simplest and clearest way to organize their business. For example one thing we often hear from customers is “I could never get my team to use a project management tool before Basecamp.”

Thanks for posting your thoughts. The feedback is valuable.

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