Recently when I’ve been a part of a brainstorm in the office, or just have heard the word “brainstorming” I’ve thought of a (surprisingly appropriate and clean) lyric of “Motivation” by Kelly Rowland and Lil’ Wayne in which Lil’ Wayne raps “Rain on my head, call it brainstorming.” Well, Wayne, I’d have to say it’s raining brainstormin’ up in Willow.

At Willow, it takes place at the coffee bar or the conference room, with the life-size easel pad or each Willow shrubs’ notebook. But what is brainstorming? As is done whenever information is desired in this day and age, I Googled said activity. One simple definition called brainstorming (n): intensive discussion to solve problems or generate ideas. I’d have to agree– simple and to the point. Another calls a brainstorm (n): a sudden impulse, idea, etc., which I imagine as a light bulb drawn over a cartoon characters head, or an “Ah HA!” moment. But my favorite definition of a brainstorm (n) would have to be: a fit of mental confusion or excitement.

This last definition conjures up a scene of pure chaos and madness, loud and sudden insanity, with smoke and broken glass. A bit dramatic, yes, but to me the most helpful definition for all those brainstormers out there.

Supporting the latter definition, my additional Google search find of “Step by Step Brainstorming” seems a bit comical. How can you put a guide, one through ten, on “a fit of mental confusion?” In my opinion the insanity aspect is the most useful way to generate a crazy idea today, which could possibly be the most genius idea in the future.

I’d say there is one rule in brainstorming, no idea is a bad idea, and in my experience brainstorming at Willow, I have heard that very “rule” in every session. Most things/ideas/inventions/innovations don’t make too much sense at their beginning, but now we can’t imagine life without them. So, the crazier the better. Think outside the box. The sky’s the limit. And Lil’ Wayne may have been right. Occasionally our brainstorming sessions do include a bit of “rain on my head” as the roof above the coffee bar is known to leak now and then.

Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/brainstorming

It is no secret that the web has gone mobile. Just looking at the web statistics of client sites we host, there has definitely  been a steady incline in the percentage of users accessing sites via mobile browsers. At Willow we are using this data to determine if the client has a need for a mobile version of their site, ensuring that it is accessible and optimal for the mobile user.

I recently read a great article that explains how mobile web is different, and I have the slightly shortened recap below.

1. Smaller Screens:
User sees less information at once, more page content is “below the fold”.
Solution: Simpler page layout, important content at the top, easy to read fonts, keep content to a minimum.

2. Slower Processors (Processor is the brain of the device)
Small device = Small, slower processor.
Solution: Simpler page layout without things like slideshows and interactive forms.

3. Less Bandwidth (Bandwith is the internet speed)
Slow loading time, limited data plans for some users (if your users have a limited data plan and they know your site uses up a large chunk of it, chances are, they won’t be back).
Solution: On your mobile site, link to video instead of embedding it, use smaller and less images. Optimize your attachments (pdf’s) to be as small as possible.

4. Touch input
No hover overs, less precision (vs a mouse cursor).
Solution: Large touch-friendly buttons, no drop-down menus.

5. Fiddly keyboards
Users hate typing long reams of text on a mobile device.
Solution: Shorter urls, adding an autocomplete function to text fields or search field.

6. No, or limited multitasking
Solution: Include FB/Twitter sharing buttons on every page so users don’t have to copy and paste your page’s url in order to share.

7. Websites are not always viewed in web browsers
A large portion of users view your site within mobile apps such as Twitter and FB. Often there is no URL bar (so user has no idea what the link is). Screen size is reduced even more seeing that the page is being cramped into another screen that already contains that app’s buttons and widgets.
Solution: Again, include your social links on every page to make sharing the URL easy, include useful information such as article dats and breadcrumbs to help users orient themselves.

8. Portrait screens
Desktops generally have a landscape orientation, most mobile users hold their phone upright in a portrait orientation. This gives you fewer columns of content, narrower area for images and navigation along the top rather than the side.
Of course most devices allows you to switch, but just keep in mind that since it’s easier to hold the phone upright, most users will browse that way.
Solution: Design with with portrait orientation in mind.

9. People use mobile devices differently vs a computer
Sitting on the couch, while walking, while waiting, looking for specific information instead of just browsing, easily distracted (especially if they’re driving).
Solution: Make key content easy to find.

10. No, or poor Flash support
No Apple devices run Flash, and they probably never will. Android devices run Flash, but it causes performance and stability issues so most users choose to turn it off.
Solution: Luckily most mobile devices already use HTML5 and CSS3 which has some animation and interactivity capabilities built into it.

Know of any other key tips that make Mobile Web different? Share them with us.

Source: http://www.elated.com/articles/10-ways-the-mobile-web-is-different/