| SPLEEN |

A collection of stuff which Mat Giordano wants to remember.

The Elements of Good Design

Elements

There are a lot of people out there working on an electic mix of web, building, game, user interface, and other design projects that require a lot of different approaches, tools and techniques. But when it comes to design as a core concept - that is, creating something with a specific purpose in mind - there are often some elements of any design that lack certain attributes. Sadly, those attributes are make-or-break. Let's think about some of them. 

Obvious purpose. 

In order for a design to have a point, it has to have an obvious purpose. You don't pick up a phone and not have any knowledge of what it is or what it does, and you certainly don't log onto partycasino.com only to wonder if they sell sandwiches. If someone can't tell what you've made - ability to discern meaning from its design notwithstanding - then you've fallen at the first hurdle. 

Perceivable Quality. 

A lot of people assume that quality stems from the designs that are the most expensive, or the most complex. Quality matters not a jot unless the person who the design is meant to impress can actually perceive said quality in the environment in which the design will be used. Bring them features that work, that don't try to do too much with too little, that don't break. Show them that the design is solid but modular and can be adapted. Don't be fashionable - just be good. 

User feedback. 

Designs should never be carried from start to finish without any user feedback, and those who think all they need to do is test a design themselves are deluded - you are not a fresh pair of eyes, and you never will be. You are the Wizard of Oz behind the curtain, and thus, the stage will always look different to you, compared to the average adventurer. 

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ATL Thought - Instrumental

Atl_thought

(download)

The Skinny

I spent some time in Atlanta a few weeks ago & completely fell in love with the Dirty South vibe; the whole scene is just totally unique to that area & emanates pure character & authenticity.

I really tried for that crunky call-and-response/drum machine/super-heavy bassline feel that immediately identifies itself with ATL hip hop.

It's actually for a friend of mine, but I thought I'd post it because I'm pretty stoked about how it came out (& since it's my first time composing a complete hip-hop instrumental of any kind).

Hotlanta occupies my mind a bit :)

- Cover art by Mat Giordano | Grillz image courtesy of Acid Cow

Protecting Yourself from Google's Prying Eyes

Google's new privacy policy goes into effect today & a glaring (invasive in my opinion) change is how they will use your information as a logged-in user.

Evil

The brass nuts of it is that they are now logging your web history to build a "profile" on you, and using the information to provide you customized search results.

Things you were formerly able to do in relative anonymity on the web are now going to be associated with your name (and face, if you have a profile photo on Google).

It's super-easy to turn off though...just follow these steps:

  1. Sign into your account from the Google homepage. Use the dropdown menu under your name in the upper right-hand corner to access your settings. Click on 'account settings'.
  2. Scroll down and find the section called 'Services' and you'll see a link to 'View, enable, or disable web history' - Click the words 'Go to web history'.
  3. Click on 'Remove Web History'. Once you have done this your history will be deleted and also remain disabled until you turn it back on.

Unfortunately this doesn't stop Google from collecting the already present data, but they will anonimize it in 18 months and won't collect anything further from your browsing history.

Scary shit, Big Brother.

Design - Scope - Iterate

I wanted to make a presentation I gave this week in Florida at Full Sail University available to everyone in any format you need.

Feel free to download/copy/steal/sell/take credit/use it at your will; just click the "Download PDF" image above.

You can view the presentation online here: Design - Scope - Iterate

A fixed timing version is available on YouTube below. 

Enjoy!

NEPA Connect :15 Radio Promo

I'm super happy with how my little home project studio has taken shape, and the amount of different things I can do in the comfort of my house continues to surprise me.

Homebw_500

We have an upcoming golf contest happening next weekend at NEPA Connect and needed to get our radio spot done quickly.

So we were able to record our :15 radio promo right at my place, voiced by the talented Kristen Brooks (she did it in one take!)and recorded through an AKG Perception 200 condenser with a bit of MIDI keyboard performance underneath triggered from an AKAI LPK25.

Check it out! 

(download)

iNet - Finally Understanding My Home Network

So after switching to OpenDNS on my home network, I wanted to understand a bit more & organize the devices running in the house.

Inet_500

I snagged iNet on the Mac App Store for free, ran a scan, & can finally see what connects where, how, plus prioritize the connections.

Check it out & get a grip on what's going on with your internet.

Friendly reminder: Remember to spoof your MAC addresses kids!