Interactive Design | T2 + Back Alley Blog - Part 2

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Teri Rogers
May 21st, 2010
by Teri Rogers
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Google TV: A Designer’s Dream

As the founder of a business that thrives on creativity and design and innovation, I’m surrounded by a team of artists and really talented people who are adept at technology in a way that regularly astonishes me.

So when I read today about the launch of Google TV slated for this fall, I knew the whole design and interactive team would be buzzing. Of course, I’m sure they knew it was coming long before I did, but that’s nothing new. As someone who regularly sits with laptop at hand looking for episodes of some show that I missed and grumbling because I’m hampered by the small screen and lack of quality, I’m psyched at the prospect of the merging of TV and the web.

And then professionally, as a creative services company, charged with delivering multi-platform design solutions that make sense to my clients on a daily basis, I’m more than just psyched. The web was made for TV. The idea of having the bottomless pit of perpetually regenerating content that is the Internet easily accessible for consumers, combined with a platform of delivery that allows the high quality viewing experience that is TV is really a marketer’s dream. And it’s definitely a designer’s dream.

I’m smiling thinking about all those amazing brains that I’m surrounded by, who are all over the iPad and mobile devices and a myriad of others that they probably haven’t told me about yet, and fine-tuning their design skills to adapt to these platforms. In the design world, multi-platform design is where it’s at and my team is as good as it gets – and they love a challenge. And I know that adding the Google TV experience to the mix is yet another challenge. Combining the power of the web with the visual experience that is TV is a whole new experience – for both designers and consumers. It’s innovation personified. And it’s great to have a career and own a business that allows me to be in the middle of it all.

What about you? Excited about Google TV? I’d love to know what you think its impact might be.

Teri Rogers
April 12th, 2010
by Teri Rogers
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Customized Shopping Experiences Rule

We do an annual business brainstorm session each year. It’s always fun and always inspiring. And, in light of how much our industry in changing, it was particularly fun to explore new possibilities. We got off on a tangent about how technology was and is impacting various segments of society. One of those – the retail sector – was of particular interest to us – based on what we do and what we want to do going forward. If you are an avid shopper like me, or even if you’re not, there’s no question that technology can and does make the shopping experience more interactive for customers. And, when you can make an experience more interactive, that means it’s more interesting and, hopefully, that translates to more effective from a sales standpoint.

IBM has long been on the cutting edge of technology and when Garrett Fuselier, one of our talented experience designers, showed me this piece on smart billboards in retail environments, this was enforced more than ever before.

It’s exciting to be in a business that is breaking new ground on a daily basis when it comes to technology and how it impacts society, buying decisions, user experiences and the like.

What do you think? What’s your business doing to keep up with the ever-changing, ever-evolving world of technology? And, more importantly, are you doing enough? Would love to know your thoughts and opinions on this subject, so do tell ….

Garrett Fuselier
April 6th, 2010
by Garrett Fuselier
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Stop Hating! 5 Reasons why T2 ♥’s the iPad

Okay, so what’s with all of the frustration lately with the iPad? A lot of people seem to be dissing on it! I mean, come on, this was on the front of CNET yesterday!

I can see why people are apprehensive about new technology. It’s expensive. It’s potentially life-changing. It’s easy to drop and break. Oh, and it’s maybe even because they’re scared. That’s right…. they’re absolutely terrified that a device – something like the iPad – might actually change their life. And most of us don’t really love change.

Well, the iPad isn’t for everyone, that’s for sure.

But for those of you who, like us, are gadget geeks, technology nuts and early adopters, we’d rather talk less about why the iPad is so terrible for society and MORE about why it’s so freaking amazing! I’ll give you 5 things I’ve heard from iPad haters, and follow with my counter reaction.

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