Comments on: 10 ways you can use photos to influence the user experience

By: Diana Madrigal

Diana Madrigal — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 22:38:25 +0000

Refreshing and valuable insights. Thank you, James.

By: Helmuts

Helmuts — Thu, 20 May 2010 14:20:12 +0000

instead of “If you associate with these people you will be more likely to buy these products” I would say: “You are more likely to by something from people that are better (simple word) than you”

By: Wordpress SEO

Wordpress SEO — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 21:43:18 +0000

Thank you for this post. its very informative. I also recommended this article to my colleagues. It will definitely help us.

By: James Chudley

James Chudley — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:54:43 +0000

@David – Perhaps suggesting image content could be too prescriptive but notes regarding key messages and anticipated user response would help both clients and visual designers. My intention was to influence photo choice and not to define it.

This approach could offer the UX designer a way to communicate more of the strategic intent behind aspects of the wireframes to the visual designer in a format that they would be more likely to read than outputs of user research and persona profiles.

Your own experience of working with information architects may have informed where the boundaries typically lie between IA and “design”. I think only information architects involved in the design of massive content heavy sites would possibly focus purely on content and hierarchy. The fact that most sites also branch into ecommerce, social networking, task based applications and brand presence often widens the scope of the IA/UX role hugely.

An IA/UX will typically have the most in depth knowledge of both the user and business requirements of any page. They shouldn’t define the photography used, but this approach allows them to influence it so that it does the job it needs to do to support the objectives of the page.

UX designers shouldn’t be taking the selection of images from the visual designer/ art director roles. In the same way that a wireframe informs a final design, this approach can be used to inform the final selection of imagery. It acts like a brief that a photographer is typically given before a shoot.

@Dan Hilton – Thanks for the link, that’s a brilliant article! Must work on those abs ; )

@Will Foster – Yeah apologies, I tried to add a link but failed miserably, Wordpress wouldn’t have it! You can view more of Wills great portraits at http://www.flickr.com/photos/mazakar/

@Web design Maidstone – Cool, glad you liked it

@Ian – Excellent, I hope this helps you out with your clients

@Fredrik – See response to David above with regards to me not trying to tread on toes. Unimaginative clients! Made me chuckle.

@Ashish Tibrewal – Wonderful, glad it helps

@Philip – Thanks!

By: Philip

Philip — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 09:19:14 +0000

This is a really useful and insightful article. People do look at what other people are looking at! As a Graphic Design student, this has given me new ideas for Art Direction briefs!

An absolute gem of information!

By: Ashish Tibrewal

Ashish Tibrewal — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 07:28:05 +0000

Very insightful read. I am really inspired by the information on annotating of pictures in wireframes.

By: Fredrik

Fredrik — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 07:13:07 +0000

Great post. Lots of useful tips there. While I agree that all these principles should be taken into account the job of doing so is almost always handled by the art director. However these ideas will come in handy when working with less senior art directors or on projects with unimaginative clients. Thanks!

By: Ian

Ian — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:26:59 +0000

correction, —reiterate to my clients,

By: Ian

Ian — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:23:14 +0000

Great article James!

I think you made a lot of key points here that I can re-interate to my clients while designing their web sites. (It will be nice to show them this article when I need to)

We look before we read can not be understated, I also learned new things like the Face to body ratio-cool.

I look forward to your next post.

By: Web Design Maidstone

Web Design Maidstone — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 01:02:14 +0000

Thanks for some really thouht provoking tips… am always looking to enhance!