Over the years, I have come upon several books that do a great job of teaching the elegance of good visual display or just good design. There are multiple purposes to design - for example, you could be trying to design a compelling website, express quantitative data in easy to understand graphs or to design a logo or PowerPoint presentation or design a blog post. While I in no way have figured it out myself, I have come across some great resources.
Web Copy That Sells
We all write online and publish in some way whether for work or for pleasure and this book talks about the right way to design web content. A must have for online publishing.
Presentation Zen
Simple ideas on presentation design and delivery. Presentation is about the transfer of emotion and this book walks the reader through preparation, design and delivery. Backed by Guy Kawasaki and Seth Godin, Presentation Zen is a good guide to PowerPoint / Keynote.
Slide:ology
Another great book on presentations only this one is by the Duarte team - a prestigious design agency in Silicon Valley - and reviews comprehensively visual story development. From animation, to picture taking to text on slides.
The Minto Pyramid Principle
For THE guide to logic in writing, thinking and problem solving, I highly recommend this classic. Coming from a management consulting background, this was our bible. Every presentation, every problem was structured in the Minto way.
Say it with Charts
An easy-to-read guide to creating simple, compelling charts. Also includes worksheets and exercises to practice.
Don't Make Me Think
One of our favorite books at Fresh Consulting. This is the guide to common sense web usability. A must read for all web designers.
Universal Principles of Design
One of the best books out there on design. It's tagline says it all: "100 ways to enhance usability, influence perception, increase appeal, make better design decisions, and teach through design. This is the first one-stop reference and resource for designers of all disciplines - from graphic design to architecture to user-interface design. This is one of my favorites.
The Visual Display of Quantitative Information
The seminal book on displaying complex quantitative information by Edward Tufte. He has written several other books, but this one in my opinion really is the most powerful and applicable for my profession (business consulting). The Strunk and White of visual design.
Information Dashboard Design
All about information technology or business intelligence, this book is a must read for anyone who has ever worked on or developed a dashboard. This book gets to the core of building a quality dashboard that communicates complex information clearly and easily. This is an art and Stephen Few is one of the best.
So that is quite the large range of design-oriented books - from web copy, to website, to graphs to architecture. I would love to learn of any design books that you love.
August 30, 2009
August 27, 2009
August 23, 2009
August 21, 2009
5 incredible viral videos about how the the web is changing us
If you have 25 minutes, if you have 10 or even 5, you must check this out. We have compiled, within this slideshow, 5 popular YouTube videos dating back to 2007 that educate us about the new web and world we are operating in. Essentially, we storyboarded the progression of the web originating with globalization and basic technological advancements, moving to the wave of digitization and influx of information onto the social media revolution and social media marketing.
I hope you will be inspired, like I was, to better understand and make the most of this most exciting time that we all live in! Please comment below on what videos you would like to see added to this list.
I hope you will be inspired, like I was, to better understand and make the most of this most exciting time that we all live in! Please comment below on what videos you would like to see added to this list.
A Conversation About Twitter - Part Five (the final)
Closing out our 5-part series, we address Twitter tools. See what @Ted, @Tom and @Tina have to say about the myriad of Twitter tools to support your needs.
A Conversation About Twitter - Part Four
Continuing the conversation on Twitter, @Ted, @Tina and @Tom discuss seven strategies and tactics that should act as guidelines for your Twitter use.
A Conversation About Twitter - Part Three
When it comes to Twitter, what's in it for business. Check out part three of our five-part series on Twitter. Get to know @Ted, @Tina and @Tom.
August 13, 2009
The Gates Foundation CEO (Jeff Raikes) on Being a Leader
Every human life has equal value. So what are we doing about it? Well, I had the opportunity to sit front row last week at a breakfast and listen to the Gates Foundation CEO Jeff Raikes speak on what the the Foundation is doing with their $30+ billion endowment to bring equality to society. He also spoke to the type of leader he is striving to be.
(For those who are not aware, the Gates Foundation primarily focuses on poverty, hunger, health, and education. No small feat. That's pretty much everything.)
Jeff started off by talking about the role of the nonprofit and where it sits in society. And it is helpful to think of it in terms of a triangle with each sector playing a critical role in progressing society forward.
The profit sector is motivated by profit. The government sector should be motivated by providing basic needs for its people. The philanthropy sector should be motivated by doing good. The reason why the philanthropy sector exists is because it can take risks with capital and explore innovative solutions where other sectors are either constrained or not motivated in that manner. (On a personal note, imagine the power when a for profit organization is able to blur the lines appropriately and start thinking of its impact in ways like the triple bottom line.)
Jeff then sharing his thoughts on what it takes to be a great leader to lead one of those organizations and truly have great impact on society. A good leader is one who LISTENS. Who connects with PEOPLE, who coaches and supports and makes his or her people be greater than they otherwise would have been. A leader distills complex issues down to its essence and simplifies the complex. That leader then rolls-up their sleeves and adds value. A leader does not just delegate or sit by the wayside. He or she goes to WORK.
For a quick, and inspirational take on leadership check out Harvard Business School's slideshow:
Jeff then went on to talk about an experience he had with Lou Piniella when Lou was manager of the Seattle Mariners. The two of them were having dinner when Jeff asked Lou what makes a great baseball manager. Without hesitation, Lou listed the following:
(1) a great leader cannot rule as an autocrat - you must engage with people
(2) help people perform at their peak - you are only as good as your team
(3) understand public relations - people on the outside need to like you and what the organization is doing
(4) Be accountable - when the team is losing, you take the brunt
(5) Get along with the front office -
Finally, put people in the position where they are most likely to succeed.
Notice how much being a leader is associated with how you are able to work with people. No grades, no test scores, no accolades, no degree will make you the leader you want to be. You have to understand and CARE about people. And empower them to do great things. Think of a great leader and why they are so great and it is probably because they were able to do great things with their teams.
I would love to hear of any great leadership stories or videos, or slideshows and I will add them here. Thanks for reading!
(For those who are not aware, the Gates Foundation primarily focuses on poverty, hunger, health, and education. No small feat. That's pretty much everything.)
Jeff started off by talking about the role of the nonprofit and where it sits in society. And it is helpful to think of it in terms of a triangle with each sector playing a critical role in progressing society forward.
The profit sector is motivated by profit. The government sector should be motivated by providing basic needs for its people. The philanthropy sector should be motivated by doing good. The reason why the philanthropy sector exists is because it can take risks with capital and explore innovative solutions where other sectors are either constrained or not motivated in that manner. (On a personal note, imagine the power when a for profit organization is able to blur the lines appropriately and start thinking of its impact in ways like the triple bottom line.)
Jeff then sharing his thoughts on what it takes to be a great leader to lead one of those organizations and truly have great impact on society. A good leader is one who LISTENS. Who connects with PEOPLE, who coaches and supports and makes his or her people be greater than they otherwise would have been. A leader distills complex issues down to its essence and simplifies the complex. That leader then rolls-up their sleeves and adds value. A leader does not just delegate or sit by the wayside. He or she goes to WORK.
For a quick, and inspirational take on leadership check out Harvard Business School's slideshow:
Jeff then went on to talk about an experience he had with Lou Piniella when Lou was manager of the Seattle Mariners. The two of them were having dinner when Jeff asked Lou what makes a great baseball manager. Without hesitation, Lou listed the following:
(1) a great leader cannot rule as an autocrat - you must engage with people
(2) help people perform at their peak - you are only as good as your team
(3) understand public relations - people on the outside need to like you and what the organization is doing
(4) Be accountable - when the team is losing, you take the brunt
(5) Get along with the front office -
Finally, put people in the position where they are most likely to succeed.
Notice how much being a leader is associated with how you are able to work with people. No grades, no test scores, no accolades, no degree will make you the leader you want to be. You have to understand and CARE about people. And empower them to do great things. Think of a great leader and why they are so great and it is probably because they were able to do great things with their teams.
I would love to hear of any great leadership stories or videos, or slideshows and I will add them here. Thanks for reading!
August 3, 2009
A Conversation About Twitter - Part Two
More of our perspective and thoughts ... from Fresh Consulting. Good to know of the possibilities - good to know of the conversations that are likely going on. Take a look.
A Conversation About Twitter - Part Two
View more presentations from freshconsulting.
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