by Wayne Sutton
photo by NathanaelB
User interface techniques continued to evolve in 2012, often blurring the lines between design, usability, and technology in positive ways to create an overall experience that has been both useful and pleasurable.
1. Single-Page Sites
2. Infinite Scrolling
3. Persistent Top Navigation or “Sticky Nav”
4. The Death of Web 2.0 Aesthetics
5. Typography Returns
via http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/social/2012/
Social media is coming of age. Since the emergence of the first social media networks some two decades ago, social media has continued to evolve and offer consumers around the world new and meaningful ways to engage with the people, events and brands that matter to them. Now, years later, social media is still growing rapidly, becoming an integral part of our daily lives. Social networking is now truly a global phenomenon.
1. Bugherd
Price: Free-$99/month for 25 members
Contrary to popular belief, the launch of a new site is not the end of a dev team’s work. If anything it’s the point at which the sweat really starts to build. As clients begin to receive feedback, these garbled and conflicting requests begin to filter back as emails, which then get batted around before finally becoming a bone of contention.
BugHerd provides a neat, well organised way to handle feedback, bug fixes and feature requests – without the email overhead. A simple .js include and visitors to the site get a feedback button. Guests to the project get to file bugs and requests, members get to administer the whole shebang from a friendly, intuitive interface. Progressing bugs from report to action to completion is much preferable to the alternative situation: a gradual build-up which will eventually overwhelm.
Adding tasks is super-easy with BugHerd
2. Fontello
Price: Free
Why is it so hard to find a set of icons that covers all the bases with a consistent look and feel? One of life’s great mysteries perhaps. Well, wonder no more because Fontello not only has all the icons you need but you can pick and choose the glyphs you need and compile these into your own minimalist set.
You can, of course, download the entire set of icons from the GitHub repository (actually it’s several sets) but the fontello.com interface makes customising your font so easy it’s the only sensible approach. The project is open source but as always, donations would be appreciated.
Fontello allows you to pick and choose your icon sets from its collections
3. Proto.io
Price: Free – $49/Month
A good prototyping tool should allow you to get up and running fast but also provide enough depth that you can refine your ideas to the point where they don’t need you leaning over a user’s shoulder saying things like "Just ignore that bit for now". Proto.io does just this.
It also handles all the touch gestures you might want, tackles animations and provides for sharing and commenting. It’s smooth to use and thankfully, there’s a free plan too.
Thanks to Proto.io that game is going to be a smash, probably
4. Foundation 3
Price: Free
Responsive design seems to have gone from zero to about a thousand miles an hour in no time flat. And things are still changing fast enough that small development shops are hard-pushed to stay up to date, let alone conduct their own R&D. That’s where Foundation 3 comes in.
Developed by ZURB, an agency with the resources and experience available to throw at the responsive problem, Foundation 3 can act as a blueprint for your own projects, a rapid prototyping tool or even as an object lesson in how to address some of the web’s must current issues.
The latest release introduces a simplified grid structure and makes the jump to SASS/Compass, allowing for a more readily flexible approach to styling. Though it makes sense to work with SASS if you are planning to have a look at Foundation 3, the customisable download is conceived to allow a straight CSS version too.
Foundation 3 makes great claims and even lives up to some of them
See all 20 at
The 20 best new tools for web design and development of 2012 | Feature | .net magazine.
Are we in a bubble or not is still a question many tech journalist are debating and investors are risking millions hoping we’re not to receive a significant amount of return on their investment. Only time will tell but we have data providing some insights that 2012 is peaking close to the venture capital market of the 2000s also known as the “dot com days”.
CB insights which provides tools for those engaged in private equity, venture capital, corporate development, investment banking, corporate innovation & strategy, angel investment and consulting provides recently posted their quarterly venture capital report (Q3 2012) which states that $7.5 billion was invested in 835 Companies. Let’s take a look at more data from the report to analyze the investment sector.
[gview file="http://socialwaynecdn.socialwaynecom.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Q3-2012-Venture-Capital-Activity-Report-CB-Insights.pdf" width="100%" save="0"]
BIGGER, FASTER SEED PLANTING
Seed investing represented 31% of all VC deals. Mobile saw 42% of its deal volume at the Seed VC level. Healthcare also saw growth in Seed investing as well.Both internet and mobile saw larger Seed VC medians hitting the $1 million mark for the first time suggesting that the frenzy for Seed VC investing is allowing entrepreneurs to raise larger seed rounds than in the past.
NY DOES IT SMALLER; MAYBE NOT A ONE-TRICK PONY
New York deal count hit five quarter high but is dominated by lots of small Seed VC deals (49% of deals). Although still very tech dominated, the quarter did see NY register signs of life in both green tech and healthcare which typically are nowhere to be found.THE MOBILE WILD WEST
VCs clearly are positioning themselves for the next big wave they see in mobile. While big deals insecurity and payments buoyed funding totals, the deal breakdown by industry within mobile remains diverse. For the first time, Cali actually saw more activity to the mobile sector than Healthcare.
It’s an interesting time to be an entrepreneur and an investor with the market showing tremendous growth in the seed stage. Meaning if there’s a bubble it won’t replicate the days of the 2000s that caused the centure capital meltdown.
Also see CBInights – Angel Investment Report – First Half 2012
While attending the 2012 NCAA Final Four in New Orleans with Buick, Hajj Flemings and myself wanted to visit the Lower 9th Ward to reflect on life, community and New Orleans after hurricane Katrina. Just five miles down the road there was an entire community that was dealing with life after one of the nation’s worst national disasters Hurricane Katrina that took place seven years ago. Buick captured our thoughts as we visited the area.
We felt strongly about telling this story from an outsiders perspective on the weekend of college basketball’s biggest stage. Because telling this story draws the connection between those who are fortunate and those less fortunate; while communicating the importance of giving back when given the opportunity.
During our trip to New Orleans and working with Buick, we also spent time at Dr. Martin Luther King Charter school participating in the Samaritan’s Feet shoe donation that included the “Barefoot Movement”. Samaritans Feet is a non-profit, humanitarian aid organization with a community over 70,000 volunteers. Their mission is to make a difference in the lives of young people by washing their feet, providing them with a new pair of shoes, and inspiring them with a message of hope.
Other activities we took part in along with enjoying the final four games includes: Buick’s Bracket Town, co-hosting the first ever Buick Final Four Social Media Meetup and meeting basketball legends: “The Big O” Oscar Robinson, Howard Garfinkel, Bill Raftery, Shaquille ‘Shaq’ O’Neal and Coach Mike Krzyzewski. Check out some of the photos form our 2012 NCAA Final Four trip so far.
Bill Raftery
legend Howard Garfinkel
Coach Mike Krzyzewski
A big thanks to Tom Shea @tomshea for recording the video.
As we all know, February is Black History Month. It’s a month where we honor those who have made an impact on American culture for equal rights, those who have invented, those who have a helped others and those who have inspired everyone to be the best they can be, not only as a person of color but as a human. For the past two years for Black History Month, I started an online series called 28 Days Diversity where I would feature someone new everyday during the month of February for just being awesome in their own right. Even though it’s black history month, the goal for 28 Days of Diversity is to feature not just African-Americans but other minorities in the web/tech space. Also note that 28 Days of Diversity is not a popularity contest or an influencer list but a list of thought leaders in the social web sector, including entrepreneurs, bloggers, conference organizers, IT professionals and friends not ranked in any particular order who I have either met in person or followed online. Each post will include a picture, bio, two links from the selected person and this paragraph.
For 2012 I wanted to not just feature individuals but also ask a question to where each featured person could share their passion with others. For 29 Days of Diversity 2012 each post/person will answer the question “What motivates you to become successful?”
For the next 29 days since 2012 is a leap, come back to visit SocialWayne.com/tag/28daysofdiversity and/or 28daysofdiversity.com to see who’s on the list. For day 16, I would like to introduce to some and present to others:
Twitter: @nukuku
Website/Blog: www.blackfounders.com
Born in South, moved to SF to be a lawyer. I fell in love with Startups all by accident. I fell into Black Founders in a similar way.
I was close friends with two black entrepreneurs. We discovered that many black entrepenuers did not know that there was someone like them. Initially, when we started Black Founders it was with a goal to connect entrepreneurs of color. Very quickly we discover that there was a need for more than just connection but also education.
What most people do not know about me is that prior to law school I was a teacher. I also come from a household filled with educators. I love the fact that BF is creating quality educational events that help blacks succeed. I love the fact that we are giving a broad group of people tools to help them move forward.
I want to leave a legacy that matters. I want to know that the world is better because I have been here. Both my legal work, Black Founders and my future non-profit motivate me.
You can follow the status of 29 Days of Diversity 2012 on http://28daysofdiversity.com, http://socialwayne.com/category/28-days-of-diversity/ and syndicated on BlackWeb 2.0.
As we all know, February is Black History Month. It’s a month where we honor those who have made an impact on American culture for equal rights, those who have invented, those who have a helped others and those who have inspired everyone to be the best they can be, not only as a person of color but as a human. For the past two years for Black History Month, I started an online series called 28 Days Diversity where I would feature someone new everyday during the month of February for just being awesome in their own right. Even though it’s black history month, the goal for 28 Days of Diversity is to feature not just African-Americans but other minorities in the web/tech space. Also note that 28 Days of Diversity is not a popularity contest or an influencer list but a list of thought leaders in the social web sector, including entrepreneurs, bloggers, conference organizers, IT professionals and friends not ranked in any particular order who I have either met in person or followed online. Each post will include a picture, bio, two links from the selected person and this paragraph.
For 2012 I wanted to not just feature individuals but also ask a question to where each featured person could share their passion with others. For 29 Days of Diversity 2012 each post/person will answer the question “What motivates you to become successful?”
For the next 29 days since 2012 is a leap, come back to visit SocialWayne.com/tag/28daysofdiversity and/or 28daysofdiversity.com to see who’s on the list. For day 15, I would like to introduce to some and present to others:
Twitter: @drebarnes
Website/Blog: drebarnes.com
Andre Barnes shares a passion for the art & technology and public service similar to various acclaimed dignitaries associated with Atlanta including Ethel Waters and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Andre’ began pursuing his passions from a very young age by obtaining formal education in art and independent sketching. This rudimentary training served as the catalyst for his ultimate proficiency in web development and graphic arts. Presently, Andre’ is adept in a plethora of technological applications and programming languages.
Currently, Andre’ is the Technology Director at !mpact Church in Atlanta, GA. Andre and !mpact church were featured in a CNN segment called “Social Networking In The Church”. In addition, Andre’ is the Software Engineer for a much talked about startup, which is soon to be released into public beta called Gokit. Gokit with other tech startups are featured in the Black America 4.
Innovation and making the wheel better motivates me to become successful. Also, working with passionate individuals really motivate me to worker harder.
You can follow the status of 29 Days of Diversity 2012 on http://28daysofdiversity.com, http://socialwayne.com/category/28-days-of-diversity/ and syndicated on BlackWeb 2.0.
