Thoughts

Border Crossing UX share their thoughts and views on a broad range of topics including UX, services design and user research.

Evaluating your content library & why it matters

Evaluating your content library & why it matters 1920 640 Border Crossing UX
Over the years we’ve worked with clients who have had some truly massive digital content libraries. In some instances, these are a genuine asset. There is a clear content strategy and legacy content is well maintained. This often results in a clear competitive advantage. read more about Evaluating your content library & why it matters

Technology cycles, Smartphones & What’s coming next

Technology cycles, Smartphones & What’s coming next 1920 1091 Border Crossing UX
Industries, business models, products and services evolve over time. As the product lifecycle and S-curves depict, they tend to go through a predictable cycle of innovation, adoption, growth, maturity, and eventual decline. Gartner’s Hype Cycle explores the first of these stages in greater detail… read more about Technology cycles, Smartphones & What’s coming next
Ice breaker exercise instructions: 1 Thing. Go around the table and tell us: 1) Your name. 2) Your role and organisation. 3) what 1 thing Acme Inc could do to improve user experience?

Why an icebreaker is the key to a great workshop

Why an icebreaker is the key to a great workshop 1402 788 Border Crossing UX
Want to facilitate great workshops and establish an even playing field? Then use an icebreaker to start off your session. Though icebreakers are often seen as a cheesy way to start of a meeting or a workshop they are a great tool in your arsenal. That is why they are the only exercise that is guaranteed to start every workshop that we facilitate. read more about Why an icebreaker is the key to a great workshop
man looking at workshop outputs

Why UX Design deserves recognition and is valuable?

Why UX Design deserves recognition and is valuable? 819 1024 Border Crossing UX
If it wasn’t for the Foundation Apprenticeship work placement with Border Crossing UX, I would have no awareness about what User Experience is. I would not acknowledge that there are UX Designers behind scenes of every great website and app. read more about Why UX Design deserves recognition and is valuable?
Inforgraphic of the psychology of UX design

Why User Experience is significant?

Why User Experience is significant? 740 540 Border Crossing UX
Here at Border Crossing UX we’ve had a wonderful opportunity to run a foundation apprenticeship work placement in Business and Skills for Edinburgh College. Over the last 3 months, we’ve been working with Tanisha Rahman on developing her research, communication, marketing, and business skills. read more about Why User Experience is significant?

Our top places to go and things to do at the Shore

Our top places to go and things to do at the Shore 1920 1091 Border Crossing UX
It’s been over 5 years since we left the city centre of Edinburgh and set up Research and Facilitation Studio at the Shore. So, we thought it is about time to share our top things to do in one of Edinburgh’s most creative quarters. read more about Our top places to go and things to do at the Shore

Why Digital Transformations fail (and how to stop them)

Why Digital Transformations fail (and how to stop them) 1120 840 Border Crossing UX
Digital Transformation is no longer the new kid on the block. But the need to deliver a transformation efficiently and effectively has never been more important. That’s why I was pleased to see the immense turnout for DIGIT.FYI’s 4th Annual Digital Transformation Conference. read more about Why Digital Transformations fail (and how to stop them)

DIGIT Fintech Scotland 2017: Conference Review

DIGIT Fintech Scotland 2017: Conference Review 860 472 Border Crossing UX
Dynamic Earth once again provided a unique but intimate location for Fintech Scotland 2017. Fintech leaders from around the UK attended the conference exploring innovation and regulation within the financial services sector. read more about DIGIT Fintech Scotland 2017: Conference Review

Turing Fest 2017 – our top conference highlights

Turing Fest 2017 – our top conference highlights 860 490 Border Crossing UX
Last week Calum and I went to the EICC for Turing Fest 2017. With a pen and notebook in hand, we took advantage of what the Strategy and Product streams had to offer. Here is a round up of my top three talks and takeaways. read more about Turing Fest 2017 – our top conference highlights

Turing Talks 2017 – using technology for good

Turing Talks 2017 – using technology for good 860 490 Border Crossing UX
The Turing Talks took place last month. A day packed with disruptive insight that challenged attendees to think differently. As proud sponsors of the conference and the Turing Trust, there was no chance we were going to miss this event! read more about Turing Talks 2017 – using technology for good

User Centred Design for the Internet of Things (IoT)

User Centred Design for the Internet of Things (IoT) 1451 1335 Border Crossing UX
The Internet of Things (IoT) is the front line of innovation. Found all around us, its applications present challenges for both hardware and design. To overcome those challenges, designers need to adopt the right process: user-centred design. read more about User Centred Design for the Internet of Things (IoT)

What can VR learn from 3DTV?

What can VR learn from 3DTV? 860 489 Border Crossing UX
After years of excitement, promise and disappointment, the 3D era is over. Now, VR appears to have taken over the reins. As both are troubled by similar problems, I wanted to discover what lessons VR can take from the demise of 3DTV? read more about What can VR learn from 3DTV?

UX Design Predictions 2016 – Were They Right?

UX Design Predictions 2016 – Were They Right? 1920 1091 Border Crossing UX
Experts and professionals often attempt to predict what the next big trends will be. But do they get them right? I’ve had a look back at articles and headlines. Here are 3 of the biggest predictions that caught my eye and how they really did. read more about UX Design Predictions 2016 – Were They Right?

Responsive vs Adaptive Design for Website Development

Responsive vs Adaptive Design for Website Development 1920 1091 Border Crossing UX
Responsive and Adaptive design are two common approaches for website development. Both allow websites to be experienced on different sized devices. But, it’s important to be aware of the key differences before choosing. read more about Responsive vs Adaptive Design for Website Development

ScotChain 16: Blockchain The Digitisation of Value

ScotChain 16: Blockchain The Digitisation of Value 860 489 Border Crossing UX
I was delighted to attend ScotChain 16, which brought together people from academia and industry. Here is my take on the afternoon and how Blockchain technology means the real digitisation of value, not just information. read more about ScotChain 16: Blockchain The Digitisation of Value

Pokémon Go or more likely Stop? (When good games stall)

Pokémon Go or more likely Stop? (When good games stall) 1024 582 Border Crossing UX
It’s the game of the Summer: Pokémon Go. After a couple of weeks of heavy ‘testing’ (or more accurately desperately collecting Eevees) I’ve realised that I spend more time on Pokémon Stop than Go. So, why is everyone talking about it? read more about Pokémon Go or more likely Stop? (When good games stall)

Mobile UX – User Adoption, Retention and Growth

Mobile UX – User Adoption, Retention and Growth 720 479 Border Crossing UX
Last month I presented my thoughts on Mobile User Experience (UX) at Mobile Scotland 2016. I shared my 3 golden rules of how to deliver a great mobile user experience: 1. Keep it simple; 2. Be personal and; 3. Knowing when to stop. read more about Mobile UX – User Adoption, Retention and Growth
Esther Stringer talking at Eventit 2016

User Centred Design Matters: User Experience for Events

User Centred Design Matters: User Experience for Events 1920 976 Border Crossing UX
We were asked to present a Learning Zone session at EventIt 2016. Find out how applying user centred design techniques will improve the experience of your events attendees, exhibitors and sponsors – throughout the event lifecycle. read more about User Centred Design Matters: User Experience for Events

Digital Transformation 2016: Transform or Evolve?

Digital Transformation 2016: Transform or Evolve? 1200 845 Border Crossing UX
Digital Transformation 2016 was one of those awesome events when a bunch talented people get together and talk. In our breakout session I shared how to understand a problem fully before starting to design the right solution. read more about Digital Transformation 2016: Transform or Evolve?

Is your booking process helping or hindering your business?

Is your booking process helping or hindering your business? 860 489 Border Crossing UX
Living in the digital age, a restaurant’s website has become the customers first point of contact. So, it is vital that it is user friendly and easy to navigate. The online booking system should be fool proof. But how often are they? read more about Is your booking process helping or hindering your business?

3 Things SMEs can learn from FinTech Companies

3 Things SMEs can learn from FinTech Companies 860 489 Border Crossing UX
The world of FinTech is exploding. Here in the UK we are right at the epicentre of a revolution in financial services. But what can SME’s learn from the successes and failures of Fintech companies? Should you disrupt your own sector? read more about 3 Things SMEs can learn from FinTech Companies

UX Scotland 2015: talks, tutorials and workshops

UX Scotland 2015: talks, tutorials and workshops 560 420 Border Crossing UX
François was at UX Scotland 2015 a few weeks ago with the great and good from UX across Scotland. With a full programme of brilliant key note speakers, tutorials and workshops here is his round-up of this year’s event. read more about UX Scotland 2015: talks, tutorials and workshops

The rise of user experience: is a little knowledge a dangerous thing?

The rise of user experience: is a little knowledge a dangerous thing? 1024 582 Border Crossing UX
Over the last 12 months we’ve noticed a substantial spike in the demand for our services. This indicates that there’s increasing buy-in from senior decision makers. Which isn’t surprising given the increasing prominence of user experience (or UX). read more about The rise of user experience: is a little knowledge a dangerous thing?

The Apple customer experience: a story of innovation and iteration

The Apple customer experience: a story of innovation and iteration 860 489 Border Crossing UX
Apple have a track record of going against the grain. But what’s interesting is that they’ve always been willing to take business risks. Not just with their hardware and software but the customer experience they deliver. read more about The Apple customer experience: a story of innovation and iteration

FinTech insights: What Consumers Want

FinTech insights: What Consumers Want 1024 681 Border Crossing UX
Want to know what people really want from new FinTech products and services? Well so did we so we went along to the first Techstars FinTech Speaker Series powered by Datamonitor Financial to discover: What Consumers want. read more about FinTech insights: What Consumers Want

Is your online business helping or hindering your offline business?

Is your online business helping or hindering your offline business? 1920 1280 Border Crossing UX
Making the right impression first time whether online and offline is the best way to drive sales. The way that customers now interact with retail companies using both online and offline touch points mean it is vital to ensure you have a consistent experience. read more about Is your online business helping or hindering your offline business?

It all started with fish and chips

It all started with fish and chips 860 489 Border Crossing UX
Following the final session of UX Scotland 2013 I was confronted with two hungry speakers, Andrew Zusman and Avi Itzkovich, who were searching for the best fish and chips they could find. read more about It all started with fish and chips

Writing the perfect Scottish referendum question

Writing the perfect Scottish referendum question 860 489 Border Crossing UX
On the 11th of May 2012 the Scottish Governments’ consultation on the proposed independence referendum closed. There has been a lot of debate over the proposed question. So we thought we’d look at what makes the perfect question. read more about Writing the perfect Scottish referendum question

Google Apps our transition experience

Google Apps our transition experience 860 490 Border Crossing UX
We recently received our notification that important changes were happening to Google Apps. This means our Google Apps accounts are being transitioned to Google Account infrastructure. read more about Google Apps our transition experience

Amazon Web Services you continue to delight

Amazon Web Services you continue to delight 860 489 Border Crossing UX
We’ve been using Amazon Web Services (AWS) since 2007 and are very happy customers – even this website runs on a small reserved instance. read more about Amazon Web Services you continue to delight

Will Amazon Flexible Payments ever reach Europe?

Will Amazon Flexible Payments ever reach Europe? 1920 1091 Border Crossing UX
Amazon Web Service’s Flexible Payments Service (FPS) allows you to accept payments on your website. It supports the processing of payments using credit cards, bank accounts and Amazon Payments account balances. read more about Will Amazon Flexible Payments ever reach Europe?

Are you getting value for money from your hosting provider?

Are you getting value for money from your hosting provider? 1920 1091 Border Crossing UX
The truth is some hosting providers are great, and some are downright awful. We primarily use Amazon Web Services (AWS) for our hosting. read more about Are you getting value for money from your hosting provider?

Review: Ankoder’s video transcoding service

Review: Ankoder’s video transcoding service 1024 582 Border Crossing UX
Way back in 2008 we were battling away with a custom install of FFmpeg on Amazon Web Services (AWS). We are really pedantic about video encoding so we had a long list of requirements. read more about Review: Ankoder’s video transcoding service
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