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EVENTS

  • Lextant Fall Fry 2010 > Columbus, Ohio
    TBA

    Fall will be here before ya know it- and with that comes our Fall Fry Cookout Event!

Insights & Blog_In Here and Out There

Our observations of the world around us

  • 10,000 minds served. by Dan Rockwell on April 16, 2010

    A few days ago, Lextant’s “People Can’t Tell You What They Want and Nine Other Design Research Myths,” crossed the 10,000 views mark on Slideshare, a popular presentation sharing website. 

    The data is compelling really. 

    We put this presentation on Slideshare after presenting it at IDSA’s Polar Opposite conference in 2008.  We wanted a better way host it on our own blog, to make it available to folks at the conference, and to those following the conference.  We didn’t do a massive PR push really, we just made it available, told clients and friends, and the web took it from there. 

    The majority of these 10,000 views have happened via word of mouth on the web. The impressions of the presentation are far reaching - from Ohio to Silicon Valley to Beijing to London and back.

    Seeing that it has 10079 views, 20 blog embeds, and 124 users favorite-ing it tells us that the core message resonates with people.  What I like most is that, unlike a lot of presentations out there, this one actually enables you. In 57 slides it teaches you 9 myths, and how and why to use design research.

    I say pile on, let’s get this presentation to 15,000 views and then party some more!

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  • So… this iPad thing… by Dan Rockwell on April 07, 2010

    Ok so let’s get it over with shall we?  The Big iPad review.. and the verdict?  

    Potential.  

    That’s it, its all about potential.  It’s not a laptop, it could be a netbook killer for some, and its not a big iPod Touch- its potential to fit between all of that. I really just wanted casual computing wherever on my terms- and the iPad delivers that and more.

    Reactions around the office today were mixed, with everything from “I want one! Does it come in purple?” to “I already carry an iPhone and a laptop… I don’t need that.” I think its hard for folks to figure out instantly where the iPad fits in. There’s something about this technology that fits in between the hard-core tech god and the busy body do-do-do-er. More and more, I think maybe this device is for kids and seniors.  

    This Easter weekend it got a tour-de-force test with adults and kids.  My 70-year-old step-mother said “Amazing, I need this!” as she played Bejeweled on the couch this weekend.  Kids of all ages seemed to gravitate toward the device, playing games, constantly asking Uncle Dan for permission to play. My mother, a natural artist, drew something totally amazing with the touch of her finger in 12 seconds.  ”It isn’t the same as doodling on the newspaper,” she later reflected, but she really liked the movie playback and book reader.  

    Myself, I see just tons of potential.  It is really less about today, its more about tomorrow and where it will go next.  Take notice, computing has shifted, whether you like Apple or not. They’ve crossed over into yet another new market segment of computing – it isn’t a laptop, it isn’t a phone, and isn’t a desktop - it has abilities like all those things but fits somewhere in between.  I would like to make calls on it.  I love the built in photo frame capabilities. Of course, I see lots of research ideas inside it too!

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  • Innovation, the Design Research Issue !! Spring 2010 by Dan Rockwell on March 31, 2010

    If you’re curious about the wave of innovation your brand or business needs to aspire to next then you cannot afford to miss out on the Spring 2010 issue of Innovation from IDSA this month, focusing entirely on Design Research. 

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    Our own Marty Gage, Chris Rockwell and Spencer Murrell grace the pages as well with the articles of Users Take the Lead and Turning Data Into Insight… what’s not to like?  There’s plenty more too! 

    Check out IDSA’s recently launched Design Research Section portal site and download even more articles from the issue. 

    And don’t forget about these upcoming IDSA conferences in April too. 

    April 9-11th
    Charlotte, NC
    IDSA Southern District Conference
    theme: Mass Reduction: The Economy of Design
    Marty Gage of Lextant will be conducting a design research workshop at this event.

    April 16-18th
    Milwaukee, WI
    IDSA Mideast Conference
    theme: Every Design Tells a Story

    April 16-17th
    Union, NJ
    IDSA Northeast District Conference
    theme: CoCreate
    Marty Gage of Lextant will be moderating many of the discussions at this event.

    April 23-25th
    Denver, CO
    IDSA Western District Conference
    theme: Make A Scene!
    Jim Couch of Lextant will be conducting a design research workshop at this event.

    April 30th-May 2nd
    Grand Rapids, MI
    IDSA Mideast Conference
    theme: Faces of Design
    Justine & Marty Gage will be conducting Catch & Release: Understanding Human Experiences Module 2: Designing Appropriate Data Collection Tools at this event. 

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