It was a crazy summer that carried over to a crazy fall, and winter is shaping up to follow suit. We have some recently finished projects we are excited to share, but we aren’t quite ready yet. We do, however, have some new logos up on our Clients page that we are very proud to share.

More to come shortly!

Being from California with a vast knowledge of surfing and sushi, I think I’ll get along with this Winter just swimmingly. I mean, surfing includes a special costume, just like Winter. And sushi involves wrapping raw things in rice, just like Winter when everything is raw and wrapped in ice. I guess that surfing and sushi are just like Winter because they are mysterious and frightening to newcomers.

I know little about surfing, only some about sushi, and a whole lot about how unprepared I am for a Chicago Winter. So I’m a newcomer. But I’m so very glad to be a part of the talented crew at Fuzzy Math here in Chicago.

I’m even more excited knowing that Fuzzy Math values empathy and clarity in its design. Each of these are core values in good visual design and the work that I do.

Underpinning that work, my traditional visual arts education includes immersive studies in early Italian Renaissance art, faith and history where I learned to listen to context. Professionally I come with 6 years of agency experience where I’ve advocated for clear and compelling visual communication in prototyping, branding, advertising, publications, and interfaces.

Here at Fuzzy Math, I’ll lead the visual look and feel with a care for both sensitivity and precision in craftsmanship. I’ll also follow any good advice to avoid winter snow blindness.

–Isaac

We decided that needed to change. So we looked far and wide to see if anyone was interested in helping us expand our reach. Isaac Steiner was up for the challenge all the way from California. Even though he is in Chicago now, he brings his love for surfing, sushi, and graphic design.

While I don’t actually know if he likes surfing or sushi (but is there anything else in California?), I am positive that he brings his love of graphic design. Isaac will be leading up the visual design charge here at Fuzzy Math, helping us continue our growth as we turn yet another page at Fuzzy Math.

Isaac will be along shortly to introduce himself, but for now, Fuzzy Math (and the Midwest) is happy to say:

Welcome aboard, Isaac!

How to read a wireframe:

How to evaluate a wireframe:

How to design a wireframe:

Though the focus of the course was on making effective and credible presentations, evaluating evidence used in presentations, creating complex and clear interfaces (or data visualizations), etc., my biggest takeaways were the points made throughout the day that seem the least Tufte-esque.

While speaking about making effective presentations, Tufte focused heavily on establishing credibility as the presenter. He gave tips and pointers on how to do this through presentation style (he still doesn’t like PowerPoint), but more interesting to me, was how much he stressed “don’t lie to your customers.” His disdain for misleading the audience and wasting their time was brought up multiple times through the day. I think this resonated with me so much because I take pride in how open we are with our clients here at Fuzzy Math. I was not expecting to hear that type of advice during the session, but it is something that will stick with me.

Another tidbit he imparted that I keep going back to was his point to put people’s names on the work they do. He talked about how this gives a bit of respect to the person that did the work, but also humanizes the business and individuals behind the curtain. It is a lot like ‘putting a face to name,’ but for companies. We try very hard not to be a faceless company, and this is a tip that we will surely be trying out sooner than later.

Even though those points didn’t seem Tufte-esque to me before I took the course, Tufte completely embodies them both. I can’t think of anyone more qualified and credible to teach the course, and I know the face and name behind “Edward Tufte” more now than ever.

(We also received all four Tufte books, which is great, other than the commute home carrying 30 lbs. of books.)

You’re reading the last of three articles in the Fuzzy Math design series on wireframe basics. These articles talk about wireframe fundamentals: how to read, evaluate, and design wireframes effectively.

« previous article: How to evaluate a wireframe

Last up in our wireframe series this week is how to design wireframes. With so many great articles out there on the subject of effectively designing wireframes, the team at Fuzzy Math thought it was time to throw our hat into the ring with a few guidelines for effectively creating wireframes.

Creating a wireframe

The final piece of the puzzle, well designed wireframes ensure clients and stakeholders can understand what is going on, and provide great feedback. Just like great feedback keeps the design process moving, a well designed wireframe gets the design process off on the right foot. Below are a few of the main areas to keep in mind when designing wireframes:

Click on the image to view and download the 11×17 PDF (French version here).

You’re reading the second of three articles in the Fuzzy Math design series on wireframe basics. These articles talk about wireframe fundamentals: how to read, evaluate, and design wireframes effectively.

« previous article: How to read a wireframe

Second up in our wireframe basics series – we’re focusing on evaluating wireframes. Evaluating a wireframe is another crucial piece of the wireframe puzzle, for both designer and client, so the gang at Fuzzy Math put together another how to guide. The first step was understanding the parts that make up a wireframe, now it’s time to figure out what all of those pieces are collectively saying, and how well they are saying it.

Evaluating a wireframe

With the wireframe in hand or staring back at you from the computer screen, it’s time to review it and give some solid feedback. Constructive feedback ensures both designer and client continue to move forward through the design process and effectively solve the problems at hand. Below are a few of the main talking points to keep in mind when reviewing a wireframe:

Click on the image to view and download the 11×17 PDF (French version here).

Next up in the wireframe series: How to design a wireframe

You’re reading the first of three articles in the Fuzzy Math design series on wireframe basics. These articles talk about wireframe fundamentals: how to read, evaluate, and design wireframes effectively.

There are tons of great articles out there currently on the subject of wireframes and how to effectively create them. With wireframes not only being a crucial piece of the puzzle for designers but also clients, the gang at Fuzzy Math thought it was about time to present a few guidelines for how to read and understand what exactly is going on in a wireframe.

Reading a wireframe

Whether new to the world of wireframes, a client or stakeholder being presented one, or just a general fan of wireframe goodness, the best place to start is with the basics. A solid understanding of the pieces that make up a wireframe, will make reading one much easier. Everyone has their own style, but take a look below for a rundown of a few of the basic components to keep in mind:

Click on the image to view and download the 11×17 PDF (French version here).

Next up in the wireframe series: How to evaluate a wireframe

Media Chaperone
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Media Chaperone develops ‘parent-friendly’ applications to manage their children’s Internet use. Their new online service, Piggyback™ delivers real-time reports, social controls, and rewards within popular online games, virtual worlds and social networks.

Total Attorneys
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Total Attorneys is a technology-enabled service provider dedicated to assisting small and solo law firm practice management, growth, and development. Their products help attorneys build successful law practices and better serve their clients.

VHT
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VHT is the leading full service provider of Visual Marketing Services specially designed for the Real Estate Industry. They serve over 75,000 Real Estate Professionals nationwide with photography, video property tours, visual marketing tools, high-end multi-media presentations, and expansive distribution services.

-Nick