Tools : Unity's Editor Transform Widget

Today, a quick one. Simple suggestions for a widget that I use quite a bit.

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Product Design : Apple's Next Gadget

Took a little time to think about cool new ideas for the next-generation Apple Watch. Things I would love to see! Mostly morphing ideas that exist together for a great gadget!

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Tap or Click to view.

Photoshop - Modal Nightmares!

Photoshop has a great tool called Layer Styles. You can add effects to each layer in your project, this feature has been around for quite awhile. You can also have multiple effects per layer, each effect has values that can be adjusted. 

This is one of my most commonly used tools in Photoshop. However, I've been dealing with quite a bit of frustration using this tool.

This tool uses dialogs that are large and cover up my project. Managing this is time confusing and annoying. I'm constantly moving dialogs around to see my project. So, I'm suggesting an improvement that I would love!

First, let me explain my frustration via screen shots : 

Bottom Right : Adding layers styles is easy and intuitive.

Yikes : When I want to adjust the values for this layer style, the dialog generally covers my project. In this case, completely.

Why do I want to see my project? Because I can see my values adjust the image dynamically. This is super useful.

Wow : I now have two modal dialogs to manage. I have to move both to see my project.

Note : Larger monitor resolutions can help. Plus, multiple monitors are also very helpful. Credit is also due to Adobe for allowing Photoshop to remember the last position of the dialog.

However, I still find myself dealing with this frustration across different computers. I work with so many different orientations of images which leads to further frustration.

So, I think out-of-the-box we can make this experience cooler!

Let's take a look at some mock-ups that offer improvements :

Use the whole screen, dim what isn't able to be clicked or tapped. Focused.

Still let users move the panels around. Also, have Photoshop remember the last location, maybe per project.

Be smart about placement for the color modal dialog, would love recent colors and swatches on here!

We better ensure that this works with different Photoshop workspace layouts. The user can customize their UI, moving their toolboxes around - we need to account for that.

No matter the workspace layout,  always let the user move the dialogs around and remember that preference.

Overall, seems like a good evolution for Photoshop. One that doesn't completely reboot a legacy UI. The changes wouldn't be jarring for expert users of the product. And quite possibly embraced as improvements ;)

Overview of the suggested changes - Top : Adobe - Below : mine

A lot of these ideas are inspired by tablet-based creative apps, ones that have solved similar problems.




Thanks!

App UI - Uber's Waiting Screen

Product Ideas : Oculus with AR & VR

Today, I present an idea that melds the Oculus and HoloLens together. Allowing augmented & virtual reality experiences with one piece of hardware.

Wouldn't it be cooler to have one headset that can morph between the two experiences? The software could detect whether you are in VR or AR mode and adjust accordingly.

Could Magic Leap be working on something like this?

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Ideas are just idea that need to be proven, this idea assumes there is a plastic that has the right reflective qualities. Also assuming a projector and projection radius that would allow a vibrant and wide image for each eye. Even more assumptions about patents and the physical universe ;)

Inspirations for this idea came from current treated glass sheets. These sheets allow projections to be displayed and yet still be transparent :

Current technology allowing transparent reflections.

Thanks for looking!

Product Design : TV Remote Control

Today, I took at a look at a darn good remote, offering ideas on how to make it even better.

Tap or Click to explore.

Tap or Click to explore.

Tap or Click to explore.

Tap or Click to explore.