rethink.fm

In this episode, we discuss our learnings and experience from working as a team, after decades of working solo. What are the pro’s & cons? What tools do we use to collaborate online and remote?

In episode 31, Cathi, Jackie & Monique talk about user-centered design practices. This podcast is based on the talk Cathi did for the GoDaddy online event Expand 2021. Listen in and learn from our mistakes. Related interesting reads or resources YouTube recording of Cathi’s talk for GoDaddy’s online event Expand 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNYinIEH8vk&list=WL&index=1

In episode 30, Cathi, Jackie & Monique discuss designer-isms. As designers, we tend to use too much jargon. This episode is based on the article we wrote for UXATT (link below), where we wrote about 15 design terms. We talk about why you should avoid jargon. And give suggestions on how you could speak about the same thing in plain language. And yes, we need to get better at it too. Related interesting reads or resources 15 designer-isms – how to avoid jargon – UXATT.com Why Design-isms are a problem – UX Collective How to deal with information overload in everyday life – Monique Dubbelman Most Used words/terms in UX Design – Linkedin post by Akash Solanki

In episode 29, Cathi, Jackie & Monique discuss the value of UX research. Many designers, including larger agencies, have difficulties ‘squeezing’ user research into a project, because clients prefer to immediately jump to the visual part of design. But what is the value of UX research? List of used terms UX researchUser eXperience research. Find out how people feel when they use your product. UIUser Interface. The visual part of a digital product that people see when they use it. Related interesting reads or resources Just Enough Research, by Erika HallStart doing good research faster than you can plan your next pitch. Exposure is key to evidence-based decision making for product teams. Presentation for WPVIP- BigWP – 2020, by Cathi Bosco Why speculate about the people we are building and designing for? Our teams need a deep understanding of their needs and their environments. What Proactive User Research Looks Like, by Jared Spool – UIE Articles Unsplash plugin for WordPress by XWP

In episode 28, Cathi, Jackie & Monique talk about how you can approach usability on digital products in a systematic way. We also introduce and explain our usability model, a pyramid that is based on the foundation of performance, accessibility and security. Listen now or read the transcript in the show notes to learn more. Links to discussed topics on usability From the UXATT blog: 10 critical usability heuristics to improve a digital experience Related interesting reads or resources Press This podcast episode with Jackie D’Elia Nielsen Group 10 Usability Heuristics

In episode 27, Cathi, Jackie & Monique talk about Web Stories for WordPress. Google recently released this plugin in Beta. With Web Stories, you can create visually immersive and engaging content. In this podcast, we look at the plugin from a design perspective. Who can benefit from this way of publishing content? What does it mean for accessibility? How is the overall editing experience? And why should you use this open source alternative, rather than use what’s already out there, like Instagram Stories? We answer all these questions and more in this episode of the Rethink.fm podcast. Links to discussed topics on Google Web Stories Google Web Stories Pulitzer Prize Awarded: Powerless: A photographer’s journey into Yemen’s shattering war  by Lorenzo Tugnoli CodePen: Text Magic by Paul Bakaus Web Stories on WordPress Beta Related interesting reads or resources Other ways to publish stories in the include: Web Stories, Tapable HQ, Make Stories, Ampstor, Visual Stories Tappable Make Stories Ampstor Once Visual Stories roll your own with Web Stories released in 2019 PressThis episode with Cathi Bosco and David Vogelpohl discussing the value and features of Web Stories for WordPress

In episode 26, Cathi, Jackie & Monique discuss: What is good digital design? We take you back to the 80s and talk design for print. From there we touch on some design changes over the years and discuss how we work now. We also talk about the design of lawnmowers and Monique will tell you why she thinks Apple products like the magic mouse and the iPhone 11 are examples of bad design.  Listen now through your favorite podcast software, or read the transcript at the bottom. Links to discussed topics on good digital design Unsplash WordPress plugin  (coming to the plugin repo next week!) How progressive web apps can drive business success Related interesting reads What is intuitive design? Nobody told me UX would be like this

In this episode, Jackie D’Elia introduces the new co-hosts for the rethink.fm podcast: Cathi Bosco and Monique Dubbelman. The podcast continues in a new format, focusing more on design and user experience, both in and outside the WordPress ecosystem. Please find the transcript of the podcast at the bottom of this post. Listen to Episode 25 New co-hosts for rethink.fm podcast While we’re redesigning this website to fit our new branding, please learn more about the new co-hosts for rethink.fm. Cathi Bosco I’m Cathi and I’m a Connecticut based UX Architect. I’m really excited to be part of this! Since we all bake, it’s also a baking support group! Where to find Cathi Cathi’s Business Website Cathi’s Personal Website Cathi on Twitter Jackie D’Elia Hi I’m Jackie, the founder of this podcast. In another life, I could have been Rizzo from Grease. Where to find Jackie Jackie’s Personal Website Jackie on Twitter Monique Dubbelman Hi, I’m Monique and I’m one of the inventors of Dutch Directness! (Or is it in our dna?). Where to find Monique Monique’s Business Website Monique’s Personal Website Monique on Twitter Or contact us via UXATT.com Links to discussed topics UXATT PressNomics GravityView Diversity Grant 2019 WordCamp US 2018 WordPress.org Design John Maeda Design-in-Tech Report 2020

Photo credit: Gary Lopater on Unsplash Exploring Page Builders and Advanced Custom Fields in WordPress In this episode, Diane Kinney and I are talking about Page Builders and Advanced Custom Fields Pro. There are a variety of tools available when it comes to building a WordPress website – and choosing the right tool for the job — can sometimes leave you feeling overwhelmed. No worries, Diane puts it all in perspective and provides some useful tips on choosing a page builder. Diane Kinney Yes, I’m a mega WordPress nerd and I’d love to share the things I’ve learned in the last 17 years of building both simple and complex sites. Listen to Episode 24 Where to find Diane: Diane’s Business Website: The Versatility Group Diane’s Personal Website: DianeKinney.com Diane’s Twitter link: @dkinney Her upcoming book with Carrie Dils: Real World Freelancing Tools and Resources discussed: Advanced Custom Fields Pro CMB2 – Custom Metaboxes 2 Page Builders Beaver Builder Site Origin Oxygen Page Builder Elementor Tailor Page Builder Critical Review by Pippin Williamson

Photo credit: Sasha on Unsplash Getting Started with Local SEO John Locke is back on Rethink.fm and this time we are talking about SEO and specifically Local SEO, what it is, who needs it and how to approach it. Whether you are just starting with SEO or have been struggling with it, this episode is sure to provide some valuable insight. John was my guest on Episode 1 of Rethink.fm where we talked about developing a content first strategy. John Locke John Locke is an SEO consultant from Sacramento, CA. He helps established businesses rank higher through his agency, Lockedown Design. Listen to Episode 23 Where to find John: Website: Locke Down Design Twitter: Tools and Resources discussed: DIY SEO Courses by Rebecca Gill KWFinder – Hundreds of keyword ideas SEO Audits Time To First Byte Brian Dean’s Study of One Million Search Results Ahrefs – Tools to improve your search traffic, research your competitors and monitor your niche. SEM Rush Yoast Local SEO Plugin