TED Talk: Why the Pencil is Perfect [Video]

cups of brown and yellow eraser-topped pencils

The Dixon Ticonderoga.

I can still see the bright yellow Dixon Ticonderoga pencil with the perfect sharp tip sitting on my third grade desk as I waited for my teacher to hand out math tests.

My pencil always had to have a sharp tip.

Which meant I spent a fair amount of time sharpening it at the pencil sharpener, much to my teacher Mrs. Simpson’s frustration.

Before she could pass the tests out to my row, I picked up my pencil, twirled it around with my fingers, switched it to my left hand, and started tapping it on the palm of my right hand.

And that’s when it happened. Continue reading TED Talk: Why the Pencil is Perfect [Video]

How Architecture Can Create Dignity for All [TED Video]

John Cary on stage, bright red TED letters behind him

This weekend my husband and I visited a new restaurant in our town. We were excited to have breakfast there; the restaurant had been under construction for at least six months.

But when we walked through the double door entrance, I immediately had a negative impression about the restaurant.

Why? Continue reading How Architecture Can Create Dignity for All [TED Video]

10 Tips for Improving the Design of Your Infographics

Step infographic showing people, world map, and tablet.

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know I love infographics. They’re a great way to quickly communicate ideas to readers with pictures, charts, graphs, and colors instead of a long blog post.

Well-designed infographics are:

  • Easy to read and understand
  • Visually engaging
  • Easy to share

Continue reading 10 Tips for Improving the Design of Your Infographics