interact
On July 2nd last year Tanagram turned 18 years old. It was a time to reflect and celebrate our “childhood” and look to a future of unlimited possibilities.
One of our many ruminations were on the topic of our brand and our legacy as an interactive design firm. While we’ve been recognized as the first at many great things, we couldn’t help but wonder how we remained relatively invisible in the marketplace today. As a result of our pondering we have realized that the presentation of our brand, as intentional as it is, is too complex. We are too complex. Don’t worry, we’re not going to become less complex, we’re not even sure we could do that if we tried. Instead we are spending some time to help all of you understand what makes Tanagram unique in the interactive development space and there is no better way to get started than to shout it out. So here goes:
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Tanagram is unique in that we design and build software for the digital frontier. Thirty percent of our project portfolio is made up of government funded “advanced” research. We do this specifically so that we can apply our learning to our commercial client projects and our ability to make ideas real to our government projects. We focus on three specific areas:
- Complex workflow applications (e.g. a hyper-local enterprise media management tool for Geomentum.com)
- Innovative web sites that change the way the Internet is used (e.g. http://www.skybeautiful.com and http://universityofchicagopress.com)
- Mobile applications that bring data to users in contextually relevant ways (like our Augmented Reality Platform).
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Here are links that might better illustrate Tanagram’s niche in the interactive design marketplace:
Complex Application:
Innovative Web:
Mobile / Augmented Reality:
In addition we’ve really turned on the PR machine. Above you’ve seen links from the New York Times, Gizmodo, and ABC featuring our work. Here are a couple of other great stories that you might not have seen:
If we haven’t lost you yet, here’s a Google Blog Search with the infinite number of posts about us. YAY VANITY SEARCH! 
Posted by Joseph Juhnke on March 22, 2011
Greetings! In case you’ve been living under a rock for the last few days, Microsoft launched the 9th version of Internet Explorer (IE9) on Wednesday. Tanagram was honored to participate in that event by creating a “demo” site that illustrates the capabilities the new browser brings to us. Before we go into that awesomeness, I wanted to post something about the prevalent skepticism that I encountered while speaking with the Press.
Why would anyone be skeptical about the launch of IE9 you ask? Well, let’s just say Microsoft is trying to recover from a string of disappointing browser releases. With IE6 at the top of the most-hated browsers of all time, (at least by developers), Microsoft IE7 and IE8 were improvements, but still failed to overcome the stigma created by IE6. Despite the clamoring of the developer community Microsoft failed to hear that we wanted a browser that unconditionally supported W3C code standards and didn’t require workarounds or the use of Microsoft proprietary markup to achieve sustainable results.
I should say that I don’t speak for Microsoft, I am not (you can decide for yourself) biased by the opportunity to work with them. This post is intended to place them in a critical and honest light. A light that I believe they would appreciate. While I was wandering the event floor, I had an opportunity to talk to product managers, coders, and even senior leadership on the Internet Explorer team and the one message that I heard over and over is, “we are going to make this right, this release is for developers and users.” Having worked for 4 months with alpha and beta builds of IE9, I can tell you that this release isn’t perfect, but the overall improvement is huge. Here’s how:
Relinquished “ownership” of the web
Dear all, Microsoft got your message. They heard that you are tired of them trying to “lead” the web development space with proprietary markup and software platforms that complicate cross-browser web development and provide zero transparency with regards to the machinations running beneath the surface. For the launch of Internet Explorer 9, Microsoft funded (not bribed!) the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to speed the ratification of many key elements coming in the new HTML5 specifications. The key here is that Microsoft has taken steps not to steer, but to encourage development of standards that will make the web better for all of us. Not to put the W3C in a bad light, but they aren’t the fastest group when it comes to ratifying new standards (sheesh). This is probably a good thing. To me, this step means Microsoft is learning to play well with others. You can draw your own conclusions.
Really, really good hardware acceleration
One of the outcomes of Microsoft’s involvement in the standards ratification was the approval of the SVG and Canvas element. These are two of the primary elements used to create the gorgeous animations and interaction that are typically associated with Adobe Flash, and Microsoft Silverlight applications. What happened next was really really beautiful. Microsoft has the best people on the planet when it comes to software compiling (my opinion) and that’s why Visual Studio dominates the software development space. Microsoft took what I call their code-compiler-rocket-scientists and had them build a compiler into IE9. Not just any compiler, this particular compiler takes the reams of JavaScript and HTML 5 we create and smashes into a binary that runs in the super fastest parts of your computer. The nitrous-oxide injection occurs when the compiled binary hits the GPU (the computer that lives on your graphics card) and holy wow is it fast! I had an excellent video of Chrome and IE9 (shot myself) running the same application simultaneously and how Chrome was turtling away while IE was enjoying an “Arnold Palmer” (while juggling) at the finish line, but I left my phone on the plane and … well you get it. I invite you to test out the performance yourselves here. Please review the code for the test drive sites too. You’ll find no sneaky IE9 tunings, just clean HTML5. I want to make one more point here and that is to acknowledge Apple has been hardware accelerating for 5-ish years now with Safari and Quartz but do not currently have Canvas or SVG acceleration. Firefox also has acceleration but has, for some reason, disabled it in the current release of their browser. Likely what you will see is both browsers chasing Microsoft with rapid updates to provide the same acceleration. Yay! We all win. Thanks Microsoft.
Open Code
Yup, no hiding anymore. This is the new web. If you want to know how a particular HTML5 site runs, right-click and save-as my friend. IE9 will download all of the JavaScript and JSON files used by the app for your review. This is a game-changer. Think about all of the folks out there who built their businesses with proprietary code. Gone. Sure you can obfuscate the code, sure you don’t have to use HTML5 but given that HTML5 can and does solve the need for rich user experiences and is community defined, I believe it won’t take long for developers to move away from closed platforms like Flash and Silverlight. That’s where I’m spending my next dollar for sure. Part of me does question why Microsoft has seemingly doomed their own Silverlight platform but I’m sure they have a plan…
So what does this mean? Microsoft, to me, is sending a message to us. They are saying the web is not about proprietary code, it’s about service and relationships. We all want rich experiences, and it’s time they got out of the way and instead helped make them happen. IE9′s minimal chrome (no extra junk), pinning (you can pin a site to your task bar), lightning-fast, built-in debugging tools, new malvertising protection, and overall support for HTML5, CSS3 is a win for all of us.
Here is a link to the application we built for the demo: www.skybeautiful.com My next post will talk about this in detail.
Posted by Joseph Juhnke on September 17, 2010
New York Times - A Peek into Netflix Queues
Data superimposed onto geography gains the benefit enhanced meaning. Humans understand maps as spacial surrogates and because of that it is easy for us to compare data in a physical realm. The team at NYTimes.com has done a great job making Netflix rental data relevant and interesting. It’s beautiful.
Posted by Joseph Juhnke on January 11, 2010
Once again, Tanagram is growing. We are looking for a curious individual with a passion for the future of interaction and deep experience working with HTML, AS3, and XAML. Our newest member must also rock. This isn’t a confidence thing for you or us, we aren’t prima donna designers and don’t work well with individuals who can’t collaborate intensively. Rock to us means to be REALLY REALLY good at what you do. It means you understand the implications of aesthetics and beauty on complex functional design. It means you understand and are relevant with the “fashion” of design. It means you wake up in the morning thinking about visual and systemic gorgeousness and strive to create it. You must have a great portfolio that is relevant and shows you are actively pursuing the issues we are passionate about.
Here at Tanagram we actively look for ways to escape the world of WIMP interaction and I’m proud to say we are very very close to realizing it. We design complex interactive experiences, systems that make most designers cringe. Systems that allow users to touch and manipulate data with hands not abstractions. We abhor refresh-encumbered interaction and enjoy individuals who understand that there is a better place.
While we can’t share project specifics, our current assignments include redefining geospatial hyperlocal media planning as a SaaS product*, inventing the the future of Augmented Reality interaction (no it’s not a silly iPhone app, think heads-up display technology and daily wear), and creating / refining online communities that are meaningful and truly help people. Our clients work with us to help them create the future and we are steadfast that our future is a better one.
In our process the UX designer’s role begins at project inception. She participates in client discussions gathering information and providing references to current and leading edge design approaches (visual, haptic, etc) that may benefit the client’s requirements. She references new trends, hot topics, and examples used by like and non-like competitors. Once requirements are gathered, she works with the project team as an artist, innovator, and strategist representing concepts and prototypes that are desired by her target audiences. Design aesthetics are always as important as simplicity and relevance. Our newest member must be a communicator, actively seeking and spreading inspiration. She is constantly challenging herself and the status quo.
Experience working with Industrial Design is a plus.
If you feel like she could be you and have 10+ years of experience please send your resume and portfolio to careers@tanagram.com and we can start the discussion.
We look forward to meeting you.
* apologies for the buzzword attack.
Posted by Joseph Juhnke on December 30, 2009
It seems every other discussion I enter as of late has something to do with privacy and or the things “they” know about us. Maybe it’s the paranoid circles I travel, or maybe we are seeing the beginning of a significant change in our human paradigm. Digital technology is maturing and enabling us to connect/interact/react in ways we never before imagined. Human nature drives us to interact (you remember that “No man is an island” junk from High School?) and Digital technology is superpowering our ability.
Remember life before Facebook? How many old friends have you lost touch with? How many viable relationships could you maintain before Facebook? How many can you maintain now? (I have 181)
It’s a little overwhelming to think that we are actively crafting a Digital overlay that will enable Digitally enabled beings to interact with other Digitally enabled beings or objects across space (think telekinesis), time (think time-based stitched panoramas made from FLICKR images chronologically navigated), and wordless communication (telepathy?). Imagine being able to see and hear and interact with objects from amazing distances. Imagine wearing a digital outfit. Imagine.
As Augmented Reality, the superimposition of the Datasphere onto reality, becomes more viable we will gain access to vast amounts of real-time data and there are a few issues we need face very soon.
Privacy – The ‘Millenials‘ have already succombed to the collective and have given away the illusion of privacy. Social media products like Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter have become platforms for their near-narcisistic need to self-proclaim. They communicate outwardly, freely and without fear. The rest of us, especially those who remember the 60′s are going to face challenging times over the next 10 years. Data availability and detail will continue to improve and we will all be faced with a choice: Does data serve or punish me?
What does it mean that marketers know where I live and what products I’m inclined to buy? Is my cellphone constantly broadcasting my location accurate to the meter? Am I being monitored for selfish reasons? Ok, you can sit down and stop shaking…. It’s not as bad as you think. We at Tanagram firmly believe Digital will serve us in powerful and meaningful ways and we spend a great deal of time imagining what those might be.
The truth – You ARE being watched. There, I said it, and nothing exploded. The fact is the Marketing Industry is facing one of the most challenging times since its inception. Gone are the days when they could ‘tell people what to believe.’ Gone are the days where they could produce a single, one-size-fits-all message that compells consumers to purchase products. Digital has made us (consumers) much smarter and because of this, we require much more sophisticated communication and interaction to even begin to consider a product relationship (that’s what it is when you become loyal to a brand). We the consumer have become extremely powerful and marketers are afraid.
So what evil things can they do with their monitoring? Well, that’s where we take an unexpected turn. You see, the only way they can sell is with the truth. They can no longer pay talking heads tell us what to think, lies are posted on Twitter for thousands to view seconds after they are broadcast. The backlash from a malformed or misguiding ad-campaign can cost millions in revenue but even worse it can cast the originator as not reputable and have significant long term effects. Everybody remembers Blackwater, right? Their brand was so destroyed by blunder and lies they had to rename as Xe. So if they can’t lie to us, how can they push their products? They have to connect with us like real people, meaningfully. To do that they grab gobs of data and look for consumers who would actually benefit from and are interested in the products they sell. They then do their best to be helpful and useful so you, the consumer, will learn they are trustworthy and legitimate. They spend fortunes on non-profits and other ‘Cause Marketing’ to be viewed as contributing members of society. Ultimately, they work very hard to maintain a real relationship with you. You see how mild mannered this once arrogant monster has become? Joking aside, they cannot take your free will. You will continue to be a fickle and informed consumer and they cannot afford for you to think that they have any intentions other than serving you the best they can. Also, there is no mind-control chip. They cannot hypnotise you into stupid purchase habits (for me this is a non-issue, I only buy stupidly) and if they could, they wouldn’t because the consumer backlash would destroy them.
So what do we do with these needy, shivering, whelp marketers? We give them our data. Why, because they will serve us better if they know our likes and dislikes. They can’t afford to annoy us anymore and they don’t want to waste money trying to sell to those who are disinclined. Broadcast advertising is going away. Advertising of the future will take place at a personal level in meaningful ways. Here’s an example: Perhaps you are driving home, late from work and you haven’t prepared the family meal. Your local preferred local grocer sends you a text message offering a discount on cooked chicken dinners (or your favorite dish) and saves the day.
That is where we are going, we just have to make the choice.
Posted by Joseph Juhnke on August 14, 2009
NOTE: The goal of this post is not to troll and get attention by posting negative comments about media giant AT&T. Instead this post is intended to help all of us better understand what is happening in the world as we embrace micro-transactive interaction.
At the risk of sounding a little “Hippy”, today our thoughts, beliefs, and consciousness are traversing the digisphere in real-time at the speed of light. Because of this we know things much faster (true or not) and are on the way to becoming a digitally connected meta organism. Patchouli aside, the “Twitter Effect” has been linked to very rapid attendance drop-offs of bad movies (including Bruno), leaving the movie executives stunned and broke. No longer does it take a week or two to hear you really shouldn’t see a movie, it happens instantly. Similar effects have been noticed in politics, and stock trading as well. So what do we do?
We learn!
“The Feed” has the power to share knowledge in a more relevant and timely manner than any other medium that exists today. Try searching Twitter for the answer to a problem instead of Google. I was surprised to find my answer in one search after over an hour working the Google query strings. Even better, The Feed offers responses. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, make a post, ask for a Re-Tweet (RT), or use hashtags (#) to get to individuals who are interested in a specific topic. Connected people are an amazing resource.
So that brings us to the purpose of this post. In addition to being a powerful resource for answers, The Feed is an outstanding tool for gathering insight into customer opinion. The successful companies of today realize that building close, meaningful relationships with customers is the only truly defensible business strategy. In other words, Intellectual Property is easy to steal, but you aren’t going to steal my friends unless I upset them and drive them to you. That’s how social media works. It’s close relationships founded on seemingly insignificant communication transactions that are very similar to those you might have with a friend walking in the park.
When it’s time to address the potential issue of your customer’s viewpoints it’s a good idea to take a long look in the mirror and evaluate how you appear to the public. With the newly available RSS query subscriptions offered by Twitter and Google Blog search it’s relatively easy to set up a series of searches that will provide you a view (a mirror) into the shared opinion of your company (or yourself) by the meta-organism/feed.
We’ve created an example here. It’s an iGoogle page that hosts RSS feeds that are designed to eek out positive and negative views expressed about AT&T. (You’ll need an iGoogle account to subscribe to the tab) but we think it’s worth the price of admission. The story is passionate, dramatic, emotional, and bleak.
In addition to the views into The Feed via RSS windows, we’ve provided a number of links to resources including Hashtags.org, MicroPlaza, Twendz, and TWIST. We would like to invite you to develop your own opinions and discuss them here or on Twitter or FaceBook. What do you think AT&T should do? Do you think these people are all crackpots? Do you think blog posts like this will increase negative comments for companies like AT&T?
We look forward to the discussion.
Screen shot of the iGoogle page.
You can get the shared iGoogle tab here
Posted by Joseph Juhnke on July 20, 2009
Greetings and Salutations,
Our last post stated that the Nike+ site didn’t have an analytics engine running under the hood and I’m happy to say Heidi MS and the fine folks at R/GA have corrected us. In the process we got our learn on too. I’m going to share the dialog so that all may benefit from our interaction. Thanks again Heidi! We are huge fans!
Here is Heidi’s response:
“Thanks for your reply. I am glad to learn about the plugin since I didn’t know of it. I googled a bit but couldn’t find anything.
Here’s the kicker – The results you are seeing (NO CP) are misleading. Why do I know this? I’ve been tracking websites for over ten years and I happen to be analyst on the Nike account at R/GA. All of Nike’s sites, including the new Nike+ site are tracked with Omniture. All the pages in your post are tagged at this point. We wouldn’t dream of launching a website for a major corporation without tracking.
If you want to see if a website is tracked and the tracking tool used, I recommend you use a sniffer/debugger such as HTTP Watch or Charles. They won’t fail you.
And I agree with everything you had to say about tracking behavior.
Heidi “
Heidi reminded us that Rich Internet Applications (RIA) do not use the same tracking technology as HTML based applications. RIA can interact with web services without a full page refresh. That’s part of why they are so cool and also don’t require Counter Pixels (CP) for traffic analysis.
I fired up Fiddler2 to confirm this and was interested to see traffic resolving to nike.112.2o7.net. This is a screenshot of Fiddler2 in action:
Launching a browser and opening the 2o7.net URL concludes the expedition as seen here:
So consider this a retraction AND an extra congratulations to the R/GA / Nike+ team for leading the RIA community by example. You all get an A+!
Footnote: Click here to learn more about Omniture’s 2o7.net domain.
Posted by Joseph Juhnke on July 9, 2009
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