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It wasn’t until I started circling and circling the same themes did my Link Drop reveal what I was interested in this week. As I collected stuff that I thought was worth remembering, concepts about process and community were interlinked quite a bit. Next week who knows what will grab my attention but for now here’s what I’ve got. While I recommend checking some of these sites out, if it’s nice as it’s going to be in NYC this weekend—maybe try not to spend too much time on the interweb and enjoy outside. I know I’m going to try.

–m

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Feedback for profiles on Google
At first glance this user feedback page doesn’t seem that interesting, but it’s actually quite extraordinary. There’s realtime feedback that has numbers so anyone can watch as the ideas grow—which brings me to my second point. Google has started a profile page which is what it’s looking for feedback on. That idea is it’s base. The users are giving feedback that will no doubt be part of the roadmap as the service of the profile page evolves over time.

The Inside Scoop on Design: Ten Questions with Hartmut Esslinger
There’s a ton of design as strategy books out there, but if I’ve taken the time to read what IDEO has said maybe I should also see what Frog has to say about the same thing.

Design as an Iterative Process
As the idea of iterative design morphs into the lexicon of design speak, it doesn’t hurt to listen to and hear what everyone has to say on the concept.

Behind the scenes of LOVEFiLM’s new product pages
This kind of breakdown of a project is so much more valuable then the typical project profile after the fact.

New models for new media
Interesting way of looking at growth—not necessarily in numbers but by building a stronger bond as the service evolves.

Vendor Power!
I thought everything for this project was pretty cool—but it also doesn’t hurt that the info design is actually informative. My only beef is that they should have reformated the poster when people are looking online as a pdf.

In Defense of Eye Candy
I though this was a decent rebuttal to all the ia’s out there that consider the design that’s completed after their work to be superfluous. However I’m also concerned that someone reading this article might just think that making every button shiny and bevel’ish is the answer too.

Atmospheric Intoxication
Who would want to give this room a try?

The Power Of Passed Links (continued)
This kind of goes without saying, but it’s still valuable to read and remember it as the link economy continues.

Hello, Steve Brill, Get Me Rewrite
It’s almost too easy to write articles about why the old media is lost.

Why We Should Get Rid of the White House Press Corps
WAPO might have a point about this—there’s also a couple good suggestions at the end. Why not have people that are experts in particular fields be the one’s to ask questions depending on the topic of the day?

Apple Rejects App For Using An Icon That Somewhat Resembles An iPhone
I’ve never submitted an app, but whether or not it’s true it sounds like Apple should work on being consistent with their approval system.

Typographica. Review of typefaces and type books.
Was really happy to see this site go live again with reviews, smart idea. That way they don’t have to be trying to update content everyday.

Four Essential Members of a Great Design Team
I thought this breakdown was quite smart—and if a design team can fit those pieces they’re pretty lucky. Even better if a company can foster that type of environment that recognizes those roles not as official titles but as elements needed for success.

Stop Trying Ritual
Good exercise for anyone to try.

Andy Hertzfeld on Google’s News Timeline
I always find it fascinating that when “certain” companies push out new features, a lot of the blogosphere’s response is blind celebration. It’s more about the name of the company then the actual functional workings. I thought this was a good breakdown of some of the current issues with Google’s new timeline which was a nice change of pace from what I’m ususally reading about them.

Readings of the week…
If you need more stuff to read and check out, these links wouldn’t be a bad place to start.

Susan Boyle: A Lesson in Talent Management
The Harvard breakdown of the Susan Boyle hype.

Spam Intelligence
Interesting to see what’s motivating ai these days…

UNTITLED No.20 _ Trip @ the Denver Art Museum
Trippy poster.

Designing Universal Knowledge
I want to read this book after reading this review.

Brace Yourself: New British Design Plays With Sheathing Ply
While this chair play with humour, I thought it also was a nice reaction the eames plywood chair that’s got a ton of curves. This one is flowing but in an entirely different way.

Company
Cool visual idea, I think there’s a ton of ways to make something like this into a better experience online. Maybe I’ll have to do something about it instead of just talking about it…

Graphkin
I need to buy some of these.

Type and Lettering
Cool blog to check out if you’re into typography. I didn’t know about the site before this week.

Diz Decor Vinyl stickers
If you’ve already got a lot of wires on your wall, why not celebrate it instead of hiding them with stickers?

Q & A Series: The Worst Mistakes
There’s some pretty interesting experiences from photographers to learn from—even if you’re not a photographer.

NY Times Graphics Editor Talks on Data Visualization
There’s a couple points in there worth considering if you’re an info type of person that you may not have been aware of before.

A conversation with L.A. Reid
Of all the Charlie Rose conversations I watched last week, I thought this one was worth watching twice over all the rest.