I love my state and I’m happily living in Fargo, however, after being inspired by Chris Welle’s tweet about Valuco, I just couldn’t help myself.
In order to design the sign in lieu of Valuco’s completion, I had to pickup a font similar to Valuco called Duke from the Lost Type Co-op. Duke itself is gorgeous as well and I think it looks great. Thanks for the fantastic fonts, guys!
Get the PDF – just print it on 8.5″ x 11″ with 0.5″ margins.
I’ve been working on problems at Project Euler in order to help myself grow as a programmer as of late. While I haven’t completed many at this point, it’s been fun to think about algorithm design and problem solving with such ‘simple’ problems.
I’ve really liked working on them as they build upon one another. Subsequent problems normally build (from a logical sense) upon the algorithms of previous problems. For example, the first problem is “Add all the natural numbers below one thousand that are multiples of 3 or 5,” while the second problem is “Find the sum of all the even-valued terms in the Fibonacci sequence which do not exceed four million.” Anyone can see how techniques developed for the first problem could be applied in the resolution of the second.
I definitely suggest visiting Project Euler to anyone who wants to code their way around a few brain teasers for fun!
I have to say I’m pretty impressed thus far with Microsoft’s latest foray into the mobile space. Of course, Windows Phone 7 hasn’t yet been released, but I’m genuinely excited to use this product as soon as it becomes available. Why, you ask? The “Metro” UI, of course.
As stated in their UI Design and Interaction Guide,
The Metro design principles center on a look that uses type to echo the visual language of airport and metro system signage. The goal is to clearly direct end users to the content they want. Metro interfaces are supposed to embody harmonious, functional, and attractive visual elements.
From what I’ve seen thus far when interacting with both the Zune HD and a similarly designed Windows Media Center, this is yet another step in the right direction for Microsoft. The ease of use of the Zune HD is a testament to the fact that Microsoft is really pulling the right people and resources together to make UI their number one priority.
We can see their push for usability in their obvious attentiveness to what’s been working in the market these days (embodied so splendidly in Apple’s iOS). The design team has pulled together a rigid design document detailing specifications to make the system easier to use, rather than easier to program. I’m especially pleased that Microsoft is using the same techniques Apple and other touch-UI designers have pioneered to deliver a consistent paradigm across all of their devices, as well as those from other companies. They aren’t leaving the established gestures behind; they’re using what’s proven to work rather than coming up with different ways just for the sake of being different.
Overall, I’m pleased with what I’ve seen so far; Microsoft is really rising to the challenge in today’s mobile market with the Windows Phone 7′s “Metro” UI. They’re using proven concepts from across the board to enhance their experience, while simultaneously providing a simple, yet colorful UI that’s definitely uniquely entertaining. If things continue along this path, expect to hear a lot more about Windows Phone 7′s intuitive UI in the coming months.