Apps and Games With Humanity in Mind

Cognitive Load

A design principle, a.k.a. "less is more" has been a guide since I started working in games in 2004. Cognitive load represents the amount of mental effort users must make to understand the UX, make informed decisions, and receive the results in a way that can be retained. Most modern products mask a very high level of cognitive load by using established patterns and idioms, and also relying on repeat use.
Visual Search and Discovery

Observing how people learned to use maps on computers and mobile devices, Will Wright, creator of Sims, Sim City, and Spore, suggested we might attempt something similar to address the problem of "discovery" in media. Overloaded by choices, grids and lists of music, movies, and games, were failing to meet the needs of consumers. Mappable was the result...
Delightful Accidents

The challenge presented to the Spore team was to create tools for users to perform very complex operations with 3D objects and scripted behaviors, with zero expectation of training or patience to learn. The Spore Creators were massively successful, going far beyond the game in audience, and presaging the success of Minecraft that would follow only a couple years later. My job: Produce the Adventure Creator, tying together all the tools in a complete UX.

Spore Galactic Advetures
Endless but with a Goal

I joined the Spore Space team to build out the missions for the part of the evolutionary process that we hoped would provide the largest amount of overall, satisfying gameplay. Space Game missions were both "generative" involving variable enemies, challenges, and navigation, but all had to be completable so as not to frustrate players.

"KEVISTIA" NEWSPAPER
Big Data for Humanity

waterstate.io is a startup focused on the problem of future infrastructure. When government and private industry alone have failed to deliver, technology and citizen-scientists step in to change the game. I designed the UX for both an in-home IoT water testing system and a mobile observation and reporting app for citizens, concerned parents, and families.

Waterstate.io
Refollow Web App UX Update

The design from 2015 was in need of new features and fundamental improvements for paying subscribers. I performed a complete overhaul of the UX while remaining careful to not annoy the existing customer base.

Refollow - Redo
Progressive Mobile App

A survey of the customers indicated a great deal of interest in a mobile app. We decided our approach should be a mobile version of the web app first. This would allow us to iterate the design and measure actual engagement before investing in the development of an additional app stack.

Refollow Mobile Progressive App