Jiffy Lube Scam

Have you had your car serviced at Jiffy Lube? There is a fascinating video on YouTube of a Jiffy Lube Scam that appears to start at the corporate level. A string of Jiffy Lube locations in California were caught charging customers for services that were never done. What's worse, it appears to be a systemic problem in the chain. A classic case of corporate theft?

To Allergy Sufferers . . .

This topic does not have much to do with web designers specifically, yet I am sure it affects many of us! This is allergy season. Here in the southwestern United States the pollen counts are at an all time high because of the last rainy winter. I have found a little aid that can help allergy sufferers (like myself). Because I am sneezing and blowing my nose continually it can get quite reddened and raw. Plus, regular tissues simply do not hold up under use. In fact, they may aggravate allergies because of the dryness and lint. I started using pre-packed moistened baby wipes for my nose with great success. They are moist and do not irritate the nose. Plus, they are heavier than normal tissues and do a better job of cleaning the nose. Try them if you have allergies! The store brands are usually the cheapest. Be sure to get the moistened baby wipes with a neutral scent unless you want to smell like baby powder all day!

A Design With a Smile . . .

I found an article in a recent issue of Scientific American MIND magazine that reminded me of an observation I have received from more than one new web design client. Many new clients say that one of the things that most appeal to them about my web design are the appealing smiles of the models used in many of the web sites. I found it curious that something as seemingly insignificant as a smile would be a significant factor in attracting new web design clients. Now there seems to be scientific evidence that a smile can be a powerful memory aid!

In the April/May 2008 issue of MIND magazine, researchers at Duke University have found that the mind is better at remembering a person's face and name (whether in person or in a photo) if that face has a smile! It seems that a smiling face activates an area of the brain involved in reward processing. One researcher commented on the implications of this research: "We want to remember people who were kind to us, in case we interact with them in the future."

The lesson that we as web designers can take from this is that if we want people to remember our websites, make sure it has a warm smile in the design!

Designer's Food . . .

Only a web designer who loves letterforms and typography could fully appreciate the humor (and skill) that produces a whimsical item such as this! I would love to have one on my desk! See more illustrated fruit on Sarah King's web page.

A New Web Design Is Born!

We have just finished a new web design in record time! In less than three weeks from start to finish we developed an e-commerce website that I consider some of our finest work yet. It is a web design for premium quality organic textile products. This was a tough challenge. Fortunately, we came up with a great concept for the design from the first draft that was quickly approved by the client. Without such a fast approval it would be impossible to get this website completed within three weeks! Visit our latest web design and send us your comments!

Web Design 2.0?

I am fascinated at how the the fads and trendiness that typically afflict fashion and pop music have also affected the technology of web design. "Web Design 2.0" is the new buzzword. If you're hip and trendy, then your website has all the latest Web Design 2.0 gimmickry. Like fashion trends, there are also visual trends common to Web Design 2.0. You've seen the look. Flat, airy pages with large "plastic" style buttons and clean blocky layouts. The problem is that all the Web Design 2.0 websites are starting to look alike. They're blogs on steroids. I am not saying that there is not some good design in the mix. There is. The problem is that every other designer is copying it. Plus, I am not so sure that the public is fawning over the visual Web Design 2.0 look as much as designers are. To my eye, much of it misses the warm human element that carries far more persuasive power than the cool, sterile look that characterizes Web Design 2.0. What do you think? Maybe I'm just a bit old fashioned . . .

Spring Web Design Contest

Aaaah, Spring . . . In the spring a young man's fancy turns to thoughts of . . . web design? If you enjoy web design and would do it even if no one paid you for it . . . Why not enter the Second Open Source Web Design Contest. The top prize is $1,000.00. That's a pretty measly sum by US standards. Yet, this contest is international. So, in many countries that will be considered a hefty prize. I will not participate but will check in to see what international web designers are up to when it is over.