Ever wanted to show the pictures you uploaded to flickr on your WP blog? Here are various plugins that you can use to do that: 10 Amazing Wordpress Plugins for Flickr
As I worked on the theme for my bodypainting site that also uses WP as the back end, realized that I might need some kind of conditional tags to hide and show modules in different templates, particularly to make the home page looks different from the static pages.
I came across the following page that list the conditional tags that you can use in your theme: Conditional Tags
I’m currently building a prototype that requires a modal view for one of links. So I did a little search and I came across this list(Which Lightbox is right for you?) of various lightbox/modal window solutions out there with description for each.
The description is very helpful for me since I’m looking for a solution for HTML content while the lightbox solution I used in the past only works for images.
A very inspiring list of font systems made of of various methods.
Back in design school, I didn’t enjoy making these font systems, but that only heighten my appreciation for what these designers have done.
Hopefully this would inspire you to create your own creative font or at least to see letters in a different way. Far too often we abstract type into the meaning that it carries and lose sight of its form. This kind of exercise is perfect for that.
The page doesn’t look very good, but it does a good job. It’s a simple task, but sometimes can be annoyingly time consuming if you have to do it manually.
Smashing Magazine came up with a nice short list of tips to improve typography for your site: 8 Simple Ways to Improve Typography In Your Designs.
This could improve the user experience for your site dramatically, particularly if your site is text heavy.
Today I spent the whole day preparing sample works to apply for a UX position at a well-known financial company.
It was a very agonizing process.
They want to see some formal documents that show my process and how I solve UX problems, mainly from the interaction design perspective.
I know how to do wireframes, site architecture, user flow, etc., and have been doing that but I don’t have anything in the form of a formal documentation. I did most of these on paper because it’s the fastest way for me. We had a very small team, so we had to move from one project to another quickly. In other words: just get stuff done. In many cases, I collaborate with front end developers in real time as they implement the design.
This sounds like an excuse, though.
Note to self: going forward, I need to make sure I keep the artifacts used in the design process and make time to create proper formal documentation.
This was the second full week of me being out of work.
Last week, I realized that I worry too much about the future. It’s counter-productive. I was also reminded that I had been in worse situation financially,which was the center of my worry, in the past. My God has proven his faithfulness in this area times and times again, so this time, I have no reason to doubt that He will do the same.
My brother got a new job this week. I’m ecstatic for him. It’s an opportunity that didn’t look very appealing at first, but the more he explored it, the more promising it became. He gets to work with the best of the best, stable company, and predictable work schedule that allows him to experience life more.
This also alleviates the financial worry that I had. My main concern was the well-being of our parents. Now that one of us is back at work provides assurance that our parents’ needs will be met.
My life feels like a new game of chess. Right now, I’m placing my pieces in strategic places to create a strong formation and momentum for my future.
My resume has been updated. I’m fortunate to receive valuable feedback both from my brother and good friend.
On Wednesday, I spent 11 hours straight working on updating my portfolio. I’m glad to report that I still have the flash skill to do what I wanted. This experience made me think of how I paint. Every time I thought I was done, I’d see something that could use a little improvement, so I’d say to myself “I’m just going to do that one little thing , then I’m done.” Of course, while doing that, I notice another little thing to address, then another. The next thing I know, I have been spending hours working on that project. Getting lost in a project like this is a great feeling.
My next step is to start leaving recommendation on linkedIn and asking for one from people in my contact list. I also need to network more. If you would like to add me as one of your linkedIn connections, here’s my profile.
My ideal next job would be doing user experience for a financial media company. Few names come to mind: Bloomberg, CNBC or the Wall Street Journal. I figured since I was involved in pushing Yahoo! Finance to be the no. 1 financial web site on the web, I could certainly help these other companies to improve web presence.
Most of those companies are located in New York, so moving back to the Big Apple is certainly a possibility.
Another idea is explore what Nothern California has to offer since there are a lot of technology companies up there.
Of course, I’m open to local (Los Angeles) opportunities as well. It’d be nice to stay in LA since I just started building my life here.
Although finding a new full-time employment seems to be the most promising path financially, I’m also keeping myself open to opportunities in doing contract work in design, art/body art and teaching opportunities.
This week, I’ve managed to embrace this new reality and started enjoying life. Every morning, I’m forced to think what I want and need to do for that day. Scary, but exciting. I feel alive.