🦆 Interaction Nerds by UXA | S24.03
The Lunar New Year Issue: Transition Design, How Japanese UX can teaches us about localization, and UX/UI Youtubers to Watch!
👋 Announcements — UX Tools!
Feeling lonely with Valentine’s Day coming up? 😔💔
UXA has your back with a UX Tools workshop on Tuesday, February 13th in Tepper 3801. The beginner workshop covering basic tools, auto layout, and prototyping is from 5-6PM and the advanced workshop covering components, design systems, and motion is from 6-7PM. 🔪 Sharpen your UX Skills at either (or both) workshops and RSVP below!
🍎 Campus Compass — 51-400 Transition Design
Written & edited by: 🕺 Arin Pantja
Are you interested in designing towards more sustainable futures? 🌎 Or perhaps thinking more critically about tackling large scale and complex problems on a systematic level through transdisciplinary teams? If so, keep 51-400 Transition Design class in mind for your future semesters! ☁️
🤔 What is 51-400 Transition Design?
In this course, you'll explore the emerging field of Transition Design, which proposes societal transitions toward more sustainable futures. The idea of intentional (designed) societal transitions involves an understanding of the complex dynamics of socio-technical-ecological systems which form the context for many of todays wicked problems (climate change, loss of biodiversity, pollution, growing gap between rich/poor etc.)
🧐 What do you do in 51-400 Transition Design?
You’ll learn more about the anatomy and dynamics of complex systems through a series of readings, lectures, and classroom activities and projects. By doing so, you’ll be more equipped to tackle large scale problems in spatio-temporal contexts, resolve conflict among stakeholder groups, and address larger societal problems with transdisciplinary teams.
🤔 Who should take 51-400 Transition Design?
This course is mainly aimed for students in juniors and seniors, as well as graduate level students every Spring semester due to the readings and group projects.
💓 Editor’s Pick — What Japanese UX can teach us about localization
Written & edited by: 🚐 Sherry Chen
When you think of Japanese design, you may think about minimalism from brands like Muji and Uniqlo in the US. While interior design and other non-digital products are simple and minimal, their digital design is much more complex. 🧩
In Japan, people scroll very fast and visit many pages. In the US, digital products focus on the atmosphere and feel. While in Japan, the focus is on text and information. Additionally, in Japan there are usually two ways to access the menu on the side. They use slideshows to highlight for navigation. Japanese websites tend to use bright colors to catch the eye. UX in the US uses simple and minimal colors that are on brand.
📍 Localization — the design of experiences and interfaces based on the language and culture a the country.
Japanese individuals continually process a large amount of information in their daily surroundings, from advertisements to restaurant menus. The Japanese user experience (UX) seamlessly aligns with the commonplace signage encountered in their everyday lives. 🌅 Before drawing conclusions about UX design in different countries, it is crucial to contemplate the target audience for whom the design was intended.
Check out the article below to learn more about designing with global audiences in mind!
🎭 Resource — UI/UX YouTubers to watch!
Written & edited by: 🍳 Evelyn Lui
If you’re anything like me, you also love to put YouTube videos in the background while doing some busy work. These little moments are great for having fun while learning something new at the same time. Here are some UI/UX YouTuber recommendations for the next time you’re bored while cleaning the house or making food!
🌉 Chunbuns — Lifestyle, Vlogs, and UX Design
Christine Chun is an SF-based designer who integrates her personal and professional life seamlessly on her YouTube channel. Her Day-In-The-Life videos are especially enjoyable and inspiring to beginner designers, so give it a shot!
🫰 Mizko — Design tutorials, career advice and tips
One of the most helpful Figma guides for beginners on YouTube was created here—Figma Tutorials: The Ultimate Crash Course. Mizko is also a very forward-facing UI/UX designer, providing valuable information about the latest design tool advancements, industry trends, and the future of design with AI.
🌱 Rachel How — UI/UX Design and self-teaching/learning
This self-taught Malaysian designer has proved that you don’t need a design background or degree to be a UI/UX designer! Rachel’s channel is full of helpful advice, design tips, and insights from her personal journey as a designer.
🛝 Fun — Designercize: A Game-Changing Learning Experience
Written & edited by: 🧸 Ahana Banerjee
Looking to improve your UX design skills in a fun way outside of the classroom? Use Designercize ! This innovative game combines real-world scenarios with your creativity and problem-solving skills, making it a must-have for designers looking to level up.
🤔 Who’s behind the scenes?
The editors behind this week’s issue are 🥸 Kaitlyn Ng, 🧸 Ahana Banerjee, 🕺 Arin Pantja, 🍳 Evelyn Lui, 🚐 Sherry Chen, and 🦝 Caleb Sun.
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