The Orbiter

As designers, it is our job to communicate effectively in both the print and web mediums, and learn that they are separate and not equal. Understanding the distinct differences between being a graphic designer and a web designer in 2010 might help you on your next project or in the way you approach your design. Read More >

We changed the pagination method because we feel the “View More” button provides a much better user experience.
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• You don’t need to test more than 5 people at a time.
• Test early and often.
• Focus on specific flows.

Usability experts have an annoying shared trait: they tend to answer a lot of questions by saying it depends. Each website’s unique content, audience, goals, and style ensure that there are no universal solutions to even the most basic questions. This means that there is only one way to know if your site really works for users: you have to test it. Fortunately, if conducted right, these tests shouldn’t require a lot of money or time. Read More >

Searches are an extremely important feature for most sites, as the first step of every user task is finding where to begin. A well-implemented text search generally does a good job when people know exactly what they want, but it’s much less effective if they don’t. To help these individuals, it’s best to start with the assumption that your users are human. Read More >

Since I’m a web developer at Orbit, our many wonderful clients might be surprised to learn that I don’t make websites for them. But clients don’t use their own sites—sure, they might be on their sites more than anyone else, but they’re not buying t-shirts from themselves, or checking their own service offerings, or looking up their own locations. And that’s the reason I don’t make websites for our clients. I make websites for our clients’ clients. Read More >

That’s the average time you get to impress your newsletter readers.  (On a positive note – this is longer than you have to impress them on your homepage.)

So, before you send out that eblast to your lovely and devoted customers, think about the power you are placing on the submit button.  First and foremost, you are adding to your customer’s already jam packed inbox.  Secondly, you are creating and building a very important bond between your customer and your brand. Read More >