Press Releases
Response to Outcry over New Social Media UIs
Dec 20, 2011
Ottawa (December 20, 2011) - Macadamian, a global leader in software usability, today released a whitepaper compiling over a decade of experience addressing the user interface (UI) problems created in software redesign. Several high-profile incidents of software redesign by Google, Facebook and Twitter have faced avoidable outcries from users frustrated by changes to their services.
“Product assessments travel at the speed of the web, so a product redesign that looks good but fails to deliver the promised experience can be a disaster”, said Scott Plewes, Macadamian’s VP User Experience Design. “Companies need to perform more careful user experience research to identify the real UI risks and solutions.”
In the new whitepaper “Overhaul a UI Design Without Upsetting Current Users”, Macadamian provides 5 guidelines for successful design updates:
- Focus on both form and function (aesthetics and usability)
- Use the right research techniques with real users to drive design decisions
- Break up design debates quickly with facts not opinions
- Interpret user feedback and complaints correctly
- Build a team with the right expertise and processes
“There is always a certain amount of risk in a UI update, but there is a larger risk in allowing a product to stagnate”, continued Plewes, “Our research over hundreds of projects has shown that using proper user experience design techniques will attract new users while keeping current ones happy.”
For more information about Macadamian’s design and development experience, visit www.macadamian.com/services.
About Macadamian
Macadamian is a global leader in software product creation providing a complete range of product strategy, user experience design and software engineering services to clients around the world, including industry leaders like HP, Cisco, Genband, Avaya, and Adobe. For established and emerging technologies and platforms, Macadamian has a track record of helping clients create successful products on Android, iPhone, iPad, Web 2.0 & RIA, Windows, and Mac OS X. Additional information is available at our website or by following Macadamian on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Media Inquiries

Didier Thizy, Director of Marketing
Didier@macadamian.com
613.739.5976 x136
