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Peter Merholz: The InfoDesign profile
By Peter J. Bogaards (July 20, 2004)
Regularly, InfoDesign profiles a thought leader in the design industry, focusing on people who are identified with or show strong sensibilities to the design of information and experiences. This time, Peter Merholz is our 'victim'.
Peter Merholz is a founding partner of Adaptive Path. He is an experienced information architect, writer, speaker, and leader in the field of user-experience design. Before joining Adaptive Path, Peter served as creative director of Epinions.com, a leading community-based product information site. While there, he led a site-wide redesign using branding, user research, and data analysis to inform visual design, interaction design, and content strategy. Peter shares his links, thoughts and essays at PeterMe.
Most Valuable URI
Can it be anything other than Google?
Best Read Book(s)
Coming of Age in the Milky Way by Timothy Ferris. This history of astronomy and astrophysics teaches not only the science, but the fascinating biographies of the major players.
For God, Country, and Coca-Cola by Mark Pendergrast. The entirety of 20th century business, from manufacturing to advertising to global domination, is reflected in the history of the Coca-Cola Company.
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Who better exposed the psyche?
Person's Work To Follow
Still alive, Steve Jobs. Fundamental in four distinct technology and media revolutions: personal computing, graphical user interface, feature-length computer animation, and digital music. No other executive seems to intuit customers and markets as well as he does.
Recently departed: Herbert Simon. An obsessive focus on how humans make decisions lead him to innovate in fields ranging from cognitive science to economics to computer science to design.
Favorite World Company
I honestly don't have one, nor can I think of one.
Best Non-profit Organisation
Four little letters: ACLU.
Contrary to common perception, this is a nonpartisan group looking out for everyone's rights.
Your Role Model
I still need one. Applicants?
Company (N)Ever To Work For
Ask me after a couple of beers.
Person Ever To Work With
Ever: I would love an opportunity to collaborate with Marc Rettig.
Never: Everything I've ever heard suggests that, though brilliant, Christopher Alexander is an #$!#@{*^%$@#&!
First Site(s) on Monday Morning
SFGate.com. Gotta keep up with what's happening around me.
Killer Usability Argument
I'm trying increasingly to not use the 'u-word' around non-practitioners. The most powerful argument recognizes that usability is an ingredient of success, but doesn't dwell on it.
Lesson(s) Learned From .Com Burst
VCs don't have a company's best interests at heart. Growing rapidly is the quickest way to death. Do what you care about, not what you think will make the most money.
Most Promising Technology
The combination of GPS and internet access.
Best Software Application
Email.
Your Advice For A Talented UX Designer
Share that talent with others. Nothing has been as fulfilling for me as sharing what I've learned with others. Publish a blog, join mailing lists, speak at conferences. Never hoard what you know.
Most Important Social Change
The unfortunately increasing lack of appreciation of class issues.
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