It seems that the decades old debate within the design community of UI vs. UX is rearing up again. Most recently with the metaphor of ketchup bottles. While I think this is a neat way to visualize the discussion, I’m convinced this is a growth marketing scheme by Heinz to sell more ketchup to designers.Continue reading “The UI vs. UX debate and the more holistic picture of human experience”
Author Archives: jeffgolenski
Process: 14 month review of Atomic Habits & The Clear Habit Journal
Note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. This is just a product that’s really helped me refine my process, create better habits, and boost my productivity. In October of 2019, I began my journey with Atomic Habits and the Clear Habit Journal in an effort to optimize my routine and learnContinue reading “Process: 14 month review of Atomic Habits & The Clear Habit Journal”
My process for fully absorbing and implementing what I read.
This may seem like one of those self-explanatory concepts. You read stuff, you absorb it, and voilà — you’ve learned it. But how much information do we really absorb, retain — most importantly — utilize? This is a post about how I’ve refined my learning process to extract every ounce of benefit from what IContinue reading “My process for fully absorbing and implementing what I read.”
Stargazing in the deep woods
Last July I went back up to Brownfield, Maine to do some camping with friends. The stars were as gorgeous as ever up there. I created a bunch of shots, including some really long exposures of star trails, with a fire roaring at our campsite. It did an amazing job of illuminating the trees inContinue reading “Stargazing in the deep woods”
Never mind “Autopilot.” What about the people who are afraid to fly? Thoughts on creating website building software for small businesses.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years is that no matter how easy something may be, some folks have a tendency to stay clear away from it. And not because they don’t want to, but perhaps there’s a perception-based fear that keeps them away. They could of once had a bad experience with something or heard from the grape vine to stay away from certain goods, services, or experiences, regardless of how easy or beneficial it may be.
Designing consistency: Impact on agencies and their customers
A long time ago in a galaxy where I still currently reside, I was a marketing & product designer for several multimedia agencies focused on building marketing websites for small businesses. The platform of choice for these small businesses? You guessed it: WordPress. Most of us know WordPress as an open source platform that’s fairlyContinue reading “Designing consistency: Impact on agencies and their customers”
Clouds sweeping over Fall River
10pm on an unsuspecting Thursday. I took out the recycling and noticed some seriously dramatic clouds sweeping through the sky under the moon. I grabbed my equipment and took to the street with my slippers on like an old man. The newly renovated Cornell Lofts are basically my front yard. They helped to make aContinue reading “Clouds sweeping over Fall River”
Sunset at Kekaha Beach in Kauai
The sunsets on Kauai were absolutely ridiculous. Best part about an island full of beaches and a small population was that not many folks were at each beach! Taken January 2017!
After the storm broke
Always an uncompromising display of beauty on such a simple beach. Gooseberry Island. Westport, Massachusetts. June 2017.
Golenski v.2018
I only update my headshot once every several years. I decided it was time once friends and colleagues started telling me that I’m unrecognizable in my current headshot. Who knew beards has such an impact on facial distinction? Anyway, I spent some time tinkering with a nice studio setup I purchased in order to takeContinue reading “Golenski v.2018”
Stars above the Mountains
“If you’re lost out where the lights are blinding Caught in all, the stars are hiding That’s when something wild calls you home” Had the opportunity to do some snowshoeing in the mountains of Colorado yesterday with some friends (my first time!). After a day hike at over 10,000 feet above sea level, we returnedContinue reading “Stars above the Mountains”
Finding your target audience. A simple guide to driving more traffic to your blog.
First, define your purpose It may seem like a silly question to ask oneself—but its often a question that’s overlooked when folks get a website or blog online (or before). But the answer to “why” can often shift the tactics in which to have a successful website or blog. What’s the goal of your site,Continue reading “Finding your target audience. A simple guide to driving more traffic to your blog.”
Staying focused by shifting focus.
As designers, we have a single task. Finding a solution to a problem. No matter what discipline of design we work in, the premise is always the same. A problem exists and we need a remedy. But the thing is—problems are sometimes hard… really hard. Depending on the scope of the issue, finding the answer oftenContinue reading “Staying focused by shifting focus.”
Pathway to the Stars
I found a pathway to the stars and its not too far from home 😀 Aligning the milky way galaxy with particular landscapes can prove challenging since the orientation of our galaxy’s core shifts directions as the months change. Thankfully, in the northern hemisphere, the summer months allow for the best milky way viewing fairlyContinue reading “Pathway to the Stars”
Break in the Storm
The past couple of days in Southeastern New England have been a bit of a heat wave. And being from Massachusetts, we all know that heatwaves usually break with thunderstorms!
Creating a Photograph vs. Taking a Photograph
“To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place… I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.” — Elliott Erwitt
The shooting star that destroyed us
Sat down tonight with some nostalgic tunes from my high school days (think Senses Fail, Finch, and more). Thought about all the fun I used to have jamming out until the sun came up, creating image manipulations and digital paintings. It’s been well over a decade since I got lost in photoshop just creating artContinue reading “The shooting star that destroyed us”
The Quiet Amsterdam Canals
While in Amsterdam with some colleagues this past February, we stayed on a houseboat for a couple of nights located on one of the canals. The gentle rocking of the boat at night was a wonderful way to fall asleep. While I found Amsterdam to be a bustling city during the day, it became quiteContinue reading “The Quiet Amsterdam Canals”