Design principles: What, why and how

This article originally published on Media Temple’s blog.

If 2020 has proved anything, it’s that we work in a world of constant disruption. Whether it comes from a new technology or a worldwide pandemic, Heraclitus was right: “Change is the only constant.”

So, how do we maintain some semblance of order when we’re forced to continuously evolve?

For UX, Creative, and even wider business teams, establishing brand-specific design principles can go a long way. By crafting experiences based on these foundational guidelines, you ensure that even the most agile, experimental ideas stay rooted in your brand and why users embrace it.

What are design principles?

Design principles are foundational ideas for building experiences, guiding everything a design team creates. They sit toward the top of your “design thinking” or “design system” activities, and capture big broad concepts, often represented with a single word or short … Read more

New phone distracted feedback provided with SmartRide®

Nationwide is adding distracted driving feedback to help increase customer safety

Distracted driving is dangerous, and cell phone use while driving is a major factor. Phone distractions decrease awareness on the road, leading to more car crashes.

Many people think they are good multitaskers, but that’s actually a myth, especially when it comes to cell phone use while driving. Drivers who text when behind the wheel, are twenty-three times more likely to have an automobile crash. Even when talking hands-free, drivers can miss seeing up to half of what’s around them because they are engaged in a cell phone conversation. Consider these facts:

  • By 2025, 4,000 people per year will die from smartphone distraction-related crashes. By that time, half a million crashes will be associated directly with smartphone distraction
  • While the pandemic has caused people to drive fewer miles in 2020, motor vehicle deaths were up 20{2a3e680f1439d15db2efa1f6e7ed882a5847e72ec9baddde754e69dd847cc2fd} in the
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How to support local businesses in the new normal

This article originally published on GoDaddy’s OpenWeStand.org website.

Small businesses across the country have been drastically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Coronavirus Impact Poll, 70{2a3e680f1439d15db2efa1f6e7ed882a5847e72ec9baddde754e69dd847cc2fd} of small businesses are concerned about long-term financial hardship while 58{2a3e680f1439d15db2efa1f6e7ed882a5847e72ec9baddde754e69dd847cc2fd} worry about having to permanently close. With small businesses teetering on the edge of failure, other entrepreneurs are stepping in. Local business owners can help each other out and build each other up during this pandemic.

While some companies might technically be your competitors, it’s important to focus on collaboration over competition: we’re all in this together. Here’s how to support local businesses and protect small businesses as an entrepreneur.

Related: America — Land of the free, home of the small business 

Buy from local vendors

Entrepreneurs can go above and beyond to support localism or the idea that you should prioritize businesses within … Read more