Design Case Studies: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Are design flaws responsible for nasty blog commenters? Why can user backlashes against site updates reach such logic-defying discord? These and other questions arise when users begin to increasingly “live” on the sites they frequent, feeling that they are invested in the products’ development, growth, and success. Good design can encourage positivity and discourage negativity in a community. When making design decisions, site owners need to be considerate of the people who are turning their products into vibrant hubs of discourse and activity. Simple features might be easy to implement, but can drastically change user interaction. We will share our experiences from Tumblr, Worth1000, Aviary and other case studies showcasing the good, the bad, and the ugly.