Fedora logo redesign: What makes good feedback?

I was reading this post by Máirín Duffy about the Fedora logo redesign process, which I found really enlightening and super interesting. At the end of the post Máirín Duffy talks about what is constructive feedback, which they can relay back into the design process and push the process forward. I found the description about what is helpful feedback as really useful, it is probably applicable to many other “open” or “inclusive” design processes. Here are just some words that really stood out to me at the end of the post, firstly stating feedback as a problem:

The most useful feedback is stated as a problem, not a solution. E.g., if you suggest changing an element, to understand your perspective it’s helpful to know why you seek to change that element. Also note that while “I don’t like X” or “I like Y” is a perfectly valid reaction, it’s not particularly helpful unless you can dig in a little deeper and share with us why you feel that way, what specific technical details of the logo (shape, contrast, color, clarity, connotation, meaning, similarity to something else, etc.) you think triggered the feeling.

Fedora logo redesign update by Máirín Duffy

And then, descriptive feedback vs. feedback by a vote:

Please also note this is not a vote. We would love your feedback in order to iterate and push the designs forward. If this was a vote or poll, we’d set one up using the proper software. We want feedback on why you like, don’t like, or otherwise react to what you see here. We are not going to tally “votes” here and make a decision based on that. Here is an example of a very productive and helpful set of feedback that resulted in a healthy back and forth with a new direction for the designs. Providing feedback on specific components of the logo is great brain food for making it better!

Fedora logo redesign update by Máirín Duffy

Featured Photo by Finn Hackshaw on Unsplash

What do replicants and copies remember?

We are not so different

“I’m not an answer,” she said. “I’m a question.”
She might also be a message incarnate, a signal in the flesh, even if she hadn’t yet figured out what story she was supposed to tell.”
Ghost Bird to Control

Book 3, Southern Reach Trilogy

Since the first time I saw the Blade Runner (1982) movie, I was fascinated with the world that it replicated and built, with the characters and also with the questions it posed to the viewer. I have seen both the original Blade Runner movie and the various different versions of it. I’ve also seen the new Blade Runner 2049 (2017) film and the three short films (Blade Runner Black Out 2022, 2036: Nexus Dawn and 2048: Nowhere to Run ) that bridge the “gap” between the two films. This being said, Blade Runner has not been the focus of my attention the last week or two. Rather, the Southern Reach and Area X has occupied me. But, strangely enough, by reading the Southern Reach trilogy, I have also been thinking about Blade Runner.

One specific thing has triggered my thinking, while reading the Southern Reach trilogy written by Jeff Vandermeer, namely the so-called “copies” or “false doppelgangers” created by Area X. (See below for further explanation.) In turn I have been thinking about the replicants in the Blade Runner Films. (The Annihilation-film, although very good, does not follow the same trajectory as the books.) I have been wondering if the “copies” made by Area X and the “replicants” in Blade Runner does not lead us to ask similar type of questions?

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Gutenberg and the great beyond

Recently I watched the State of the Word 2018, delivered by Matt Mullenweg. I really think people who are interested in the future of WordPress, but also the future of internet publication in general should have a look at it. The roadmap for Gutenberg is very exciting. I am very positive about what lies ahead. 

They are currently in phase 1 regarding the development and implementation of Gutenberg, the latter focusing specifically on writing and editing posts/pages. With phases 2, 3 & 4 they will be going beyond this.

Telling stories to travel

I originally posted this article on LinkedIn.

While I was completing my undergraduate studies, I had a professor in Political Science that taught with stories. Yes, he would have slides and other visual media, but he would contextualize it by telling applicable stories. The approach fascinated me, not just because I could remember the things he taught during tests and exams, but also because it gave a “realness” to what I was studying. Over the last few years I have come to the realization that the tool of storytelling is also important within the field of international education. We need to use it during our pre-departure orientations; and we kind of sneak it in there. (*learningfrompastmistakes) I want to highlight two reasons why storytelling is important in the field of international education: firstly, it helps students to think about their upcoming experience (to imagine possibilities) and secondly, it induces certain emotions within students which helps to bring certain points across.

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Study Abroad Sprint, A Component of the Pre-Departure process

“But bringing a vision to life is difficult.” (p. 6)

Sprint - How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days

I originally posted this article on LinkedIn.

The last year or two we have been tweaking our orientation processes for our outgoing students, so that it becomes more practical and strengths-based focused. It has become important for us to move away from just the general pre-departure presentation where we talk about ‘dos and don’ts (*learningfrompastmistakes). It does not mean that the latter does not have a place within the general pre-departure process, but it cannot be the only thing that is done to prepare students going abroad. (It took me a some time to realize this.) Also, I am of the opinion that students have the skills and abilities to travel abroad, we just need to make them aware of it and nurture their confidence and latent skills.

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Things I have been reading

Dora from The Dreaming (Second issue from the Dreaming)

It is has been a while since I have written something, so I thought I should just give an overview of what I have been reading. Recently, I worked through the Sandman collection and that has probably changed my life. I have written about it here. I started with the new issues from The Sandman Universe, and have specifically focused on The Dreaming. My favourite character in The Sandman collection is Delirium, and it seems I already have a favourite in The Dreaming, namely Dora (see featured image). We don’t know much about Dora yet, but I am looking forward learning more about Dora. Things we already know is that Dora can move between the different realms, she knows things about people and sometimes transform… Anyway, this is not a post about the Sandman, or Dora. Continue reading “Things I have been reading” →

The Crowd, Social Media and Study Abroad

I originally posted this article on LinkedIn.

The book:

I recently read the book by Alex Daly, The Crowdsourceress: Get Smart, Get Funded, and Kickstart Your Next Big Idea (2017). It is really an amazing book, and I realized again that using social media is one thing, but engaging through social media is a completely different matter all together, the latter being the more impactful aspect of social media usage. I definitely recommend that you read the book – it also includes practical tools and tips.

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A short reflection: A queer trans woman attending an international education conference

I also posted a version of this article on Linkedin.

I came back today after a week of traveling in Switzerland. I was in the privileged position to visit three partner universities, but also to attend the EAIE conference. It was a great experience.

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