Solid State UX

About this Blog:

Solid State UX is a blog devoted to leading-edge user experience topics, examples and techniques.  Its mission is to aid those who wish to discover, build and understand rich and engaging user experiences across a shifting technological landscape.  My primary area of interest is digital publishing, but this blog will also include many diverse topics and examples from a wide and eclectic range of fields.

What does Solid State UX mean anyways?  To a technologist it may seem nonsensical. It has nothing to do with transistors.  A ‘solid state’ design is one which feels like it was carved out of a solid block of material – not assembled from moving parts.   Seamless. Rich. Fluid. Engaging. Meaningful. Economical.  Organic.  Sound.

About Me: Todd Toler

Todd Toler

I am currently the Director of User Experience at John Wiley & Sons, leading publishers in print and online of consumer, business, higher education, medical, technical, and scientific information.  In this role, I look after interaction design and user research within Online Channel Development, the primary user centered design group at Wiley.   Recent projects include Dummies.com, CurrentProtocols.com, Wiley Online Library, Cliffsnotes.com, and a redesign of the innovative teaching & learning platform -WileyPLUS.

Before coming to Wiley, I worked at Sachs Insights as a User Research Consultant for a wide variety of clients across industries – including Best Buy, US Airways, Starwood Hotels, Thomson-Reuters, R/GA, IconNicholson, Ameritrade and HBO.   I have logged countless hours in darkened, M&M filled rooms watching people use websites and other digital products. At some point I realized it is always easier to be usable than it is to be excellent and inspiring – and that tomorrow’s UX professionals will be working in an entirely different environment than those of today.

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Disclaimer:  The opinions expressed here are my own and are not those of my employer. This blog is not sponsored by or endorsed by my employer.