1. How Giant Websites Design For You (and a Million Others Too) by Margaret Gould Stewart
Margaret Gould Steward is the Director of Product Design for Facebook and uses this talk to go into depth about the three rules for designing massive websites like Facebook. During her talk, she explains how making the smallest design tweaks can have a massive impact, both positive and negative. You’ll be blown away to learn how much time and research giant websites actually spend on the most minuscule of design details.
2. Happy Maps by Daniele Quercia
Mapping apps have gotten a lot of buzz in recent years, and many people appreciate these tools because it takes them where they want to go. However, what if people want to wander versus go straight to their destination? Daniele Quercia offers a unique perspective about mapping apps and the importance of taking into account how people want to feel along the way.
3. My Life in Typefaces by Matthew Carter
When it comes to typography, Matthew Carter is one of the most respected individuals in the field. He is the man behind popular typefaces such as Verdana, Georgia, and Bell Centennial (the phone book font). This interesting talk walks through how typefaces have evolved throughout Carter’s career.
4. The Three Ways that Good Design Makes You Happy by Don Norman
Even though this talk took place back in 2003, regarded design critic Don Norman offers some valuable insight into aspects of design that make people happy. Discussed are the three key emotional cues that play into happy design.
5. Designing for Simplicity by John Maeda
John Maeda is the former President of the Rhode Island School of Design and is known for his use of elegant simplicity in every aspect of design including website design. His talk focuses on the importance of paring down to basics and the value that this offers.
TED Talks are a powerful source for on-the-go inspiration from some of the biggest authorities in website design. Give these TED Talks a try and let us know what you think.
