Shape Matters

Shape Matters, originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Retaining the familiar shape of a violin even when it isn't necessary, as in this electric one. Shape implies trust and familiarity in the sound quality, perhaps?

With Canon I Can't

With Canon I Can't, originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Had to take some product shots today, and the on-site camera turned out to be a, EOS 1000D. Let's just say our minds didn't meet. Having gotten used to the Nikon logic of taking pictures, my brain and fingers can't just get around some choices from the big C. Usually I'm a pretty open minded guy, but for example changing the ISO must have been thought out by a UI guy on a very, very tight schedule.

Reflections On Praying

Reflections On Praying, originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Came across an older Muslim woman spreading out her coat and performing her afternoon prayers in the corner of a busy shopping center aisle, somewhat correctly aligned towards Mecca. Food for thought on global vs. local customs and norms:

-East African perspective: Totally normal (I presume).

-Nordic perspective: A bit weird; Best I just ignore that.

-Japanese perspective: Is she all right?

Fix County

Fix County, originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Otaniemi, a noticeable amount of fixie bikes around. Maybe due to the large concentration of engineering students with access to workshops.

Wall-E, Is That You?

Wall-E, Is That You?, originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

UI Essential

UI Essential, originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

User interface of a very complex machine doing lot's of things to chunks of metal that are put inside. As it probably is prone to do those same things to fingers or other body parts getting too close, it's good they included my favourite UI feature ever: The Big Red Panic Button.

Laser Thermometer

Laser Thermometer, originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

One of the cooler gadgets in an office holding quite many cool gadgets.

Design Basics

Design Basics, originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Lego's in the Design Factory workshop. Never underestimate physical and mechanical mock--ups when designing physical products.

Got Time

Got Time, originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Hanging out in an environment such as the Helsinki University of Technology campus makes you trust public clocks in a totally new manner.

Yes Men in Town?

Yes Men in Town?, originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Spotted a genuine Yes Men SurvivaBall on the way to work today. Somehow coinciding with today's prank edition of the main local agriculture newspaper?

User Experience: Bad

User Experience: Bad, originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Call a number, the machine gives you a drink and the cost is added to your phone bill. easy, right? Actually, what happened to this unfortunate girl was this: Call a number, wait, push buttons, look confused when there's no information or feedback and then walk away. The value of information increases when the success of a service goes into the negative.

On a side note I got interviewed by Ux expert Juan Leal for his blog recently. Welcome to anyone from southern countries who follows the link here.

What's the Story?

What's the Story?, originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Endless Wall

Endless Wall, originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Skiexpo time again. A big disappointment was the almost complete lack of backcountry planks and other related gear in the displays. Got my ticket for free, so I shouldn't whine, but still. Hope there'll be some change for the better sometime. Recent years have been from bad to worse.

Spotted a pretty funky endless climbing wall, though, and met some old friends from up north.