UX NUGGETS WORTH READING

👀 How people scan text [Eyetracking evidence]
NNGroup covers the 4 types of text scanning patterns useful for any designer to know:

1. F-Pattern: users fixate on the words toward the top of the page and at the beginning of lines, especially if there aren't subheadings or bullets. 
2. Spotted pattern - fixate on content that's styled differently or contains words that help them accomplish a task
3. Layer cake pattern - the most effective way that users scan pages, which is to look for the page’s headings and subheadings to find relevant content. 
4. Commitment pattern - normal readin'. instead of scanning, users read carefully when they're interested in the content. Even with this pattern, users read better with good subheadings and chunked content. 

Useful stuff for anyone designing content (read: all designers). Did your eyes scan those 4 points well? If not, read it from NNGroup.

📜People do read below the fold! [read More]
UX designers are often put in a position to design for, or create space for ads. This article argues that because users are so blind to banners now, they automatically scroll to get to the content.

If that was obvious to you, then you might be surprised that 66% of attention on normal media pages is spent below the fold.

Tip: in order for banner ads to be effective, great creative - not cheesy stock photos - is required, along with getting it in front of a user's face long enough (at least 20 seconds) for them to recall that ad afterwards.

🤝Inclusive Design Toolkit [link to resource]
"Inclusive design" is one of those phrases that get thrown around that sound good, but what does it actually mean? Check out this definition from the University of Cambridge - their pyramid model visualizes where inclusive design is especially needed. Click here for examples of inclusive design.

☕ Starbucks' new brand identity [style guide]
I think Starbucks is one of the best-designed brand around, from their app to the in-store experience. Check out their new, beautifully put together style guide - I especially enjoy the typography section. And here's the Fast Company article on why Starbucks publicly deconstructed its brand.
 
💩BAD UX EXAMPLE
Let me buy the audiobooks, Audible.  
I just signed up for Audible to listen to audio books. As with any Amazon product, I expect the experience to be pretty straightforward.

So I downloaded the Audible app, signed in, and...wait, I can only add books to a wishlist? You have my account info already, why can't I purchase and listen books directly from the Audible app?



Turns out, you have to go on Audible.com to purchase the books, then your audiobook will appear in your Audible app for download.

Ass backwards. 

SemanticBits is a software development agency that specializes in digital health products. They're looking for a hybrid UX Researcher & Designer to both plan tests and design flows/UI. If you've been trying to make the switch between one of these roles (UXR -> UXD or UXD -> UXR), this looks like a compelling option.

SkinCarisma is a - you guessed it - skincare company looking for a Product/UI Designer to design a global skincare platform that helps users find the exact skin care they need. I'm tickled that this application is hosted on Airtable. 

Nipht.io doesn't even have a landing page yet, so they really need a UI/UX Designer for Web to build the next-generation of content aggregation and curation tools. You'll not only be a remote hire, but one of this startup's first hires. Expect to wear many hats, including coding designs in HTML/CSS. 

NewsBank is a repeat remote hire-er (word?) that provides research to institutions. Looks like they're still hurtin' for a UI/UX Designer. The requirements don't look high on this one, which is a good sign for newer UX designers interested in working remote.