Duncan Stephen

Article — 11 February 2016 — 1,059 words

Path dependence in user experience: why it’s OK that phones are different to calculators

Designers like to fret about the differing keypad layouts on calculators and phones. But economics tells us it may not be such a problem after all.

Article — 27 January 2016 — 179 words

Why it is always worth considering the simplest solution — even if you are Google

Digital — Technology

A couple of separate stories about Google today remind us that simpler is often better.

Article — 20 January 2016 — 1,074 words

Why hamburger menus can be good for you as part of a healthy balanced diet

Digital — User experience — Web

There is an interesting debate in the design community right now about the hamburger menu. Given two extremes of opinion, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

Article — 28 December 2015 — 465 words

Check out this amazing film of Kirkcaldy in 1975

Personal

A fascinating and honest snapshot of Kirkcaldy — good and bad — from 40 years ago.

Article — 26 November 2015 — 892 words

Moved to Edinburgh

Personal

I have been fairly quiet on this blog recently, mostly because things have been pretty busy in real life. The biggest piece of news is that I have now moved to Edinburgh, and moved in with Alex.

Article — 8 October 2015 — 666 words

Waterstones’ decision to stop selling the Kindle says more about shops than e-readers

Digital — Technology

Waterstones say their sales of Kindles are pitiful. But why did they ever expect to sell lots of them in the first place?

Article — 26 September 2015 — 592 words

Back on the bike!

Personal

Five weeks on from my cycling accident, I am delighted to be back on my bike.

Article — 24 September 2015 — 910 words

Web design should be boring

Digital — User experience — Web

The web is a less creative place than it was 20 years ago. Good.

Article — 22 September 2015 — 744 words

Sent sideways at Driftland UK

Personal

Last weekend I packed a spare pair of pants for a “passenger drift experience” at Driftland UK.

Article — 13 July 2015 — 1,913 words

Trip to Tiree

Personal — Travel

Our trip to Tiree was my first visit to a Hebridean island. The beautiful and quiet island reluctantly revealed its secrets over the course of the week.

Article — 1 June 2015 — 561 words