Earlier this year we produced a benchmarking analysis and a statistical analysis for both the Ford and Mazda SA websites. Following on from this work we have been asked to begin work on redesigning the Mazda website. We're really delighted with this and the clients commitment to a user centered approach.

We will be collaborating with WDG in Australia on this project as they roll out the regional Oceana platform for Ford and Mazda.

Posted by jh01 at 03:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

For over a year now we've been helping Pam Golding with their user experience strategy, ux and detailed information architecture design. They're a truly great client that has taken customer centricity in the web channel to heart.

Now to add to the help we're offering they've asked us to assist with the IA and interface design for the website CMS and their corporate intranet. Thanks guys!

Posted by jh01 at 03:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Staffing up in UX in South Africa is hard. There are very few people with much experience in UX. The experienced ones cost a fortune (only the BIG corporates can really afford them). Many who have the experience have been poorly trained. There are no schools which teach this kind of thing. So, what's a company to do?

It occurred to me that I got into this field without any formal training and most of the great people I know have stumbled into UX from totally unrelated fields. So I started looking for people who revealed a passion for the web and digital interactions but perhaps without any direct experience. People who revealed an inherent empathy for users, frustration over poor UX and strong middle brain thinking.

Introducing Kathy: Kathy was one of our sample users for some lo-fi testing on new Pam Golding designs. While conducting the testing she spent more time suggesting UX ideas for the interface than just trying to accomplish tasks. I found a winner: no experience in design what-so-ever, a blogger with over three years experience 'living the Web' and a natural flair for UX and in particular IA.

I'm delighted to have Kathy onboard.

Posted by jh01 at 11:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

We have just completed the first phase of the Hotel Yeoville Project. We spent two weeks researching Internet cafe's in this location, their owners and users through Q & A interviews and a website based questionnaire situated in the cafe's as the default home page of a few of the terminals.

Phase 2 includes consolidating and analysing the feedback and creating the user experience and information architecture for the future website that is aimed at answering the needs of this unique community. More to come on this project soon...

Posted by jh01 at 11:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I have been nominated (by the wonderful Stacy Surla) to serve on the IA Institute board. This is quite an honour I must say particularly since I'm up against some amazing people. You can read more about it here: http://www.iainstitute.org/en/about/people/candidates_2007.php

Posted by jh01 at 10:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)