Anne-Marie Concepcion

Here's one of my favorite teaching points from this week when I had the chance to facilitate for Adobe's Design Summit with Scaling Intimacy School of Experience Design. What a great #experience! 🙌 👉 WE DON'T NEED TO CHOOSE BETWEEN CONNECTION OR CONTENT! 🙅‍♀️ 👉 In fact, CONNECTION CATALYZES CONTENT! 💥 We often think about #connection and #content being mutually exclusive but I love how Jenny Sauer-Klein references the #debrief as an example of how we can have both! 💥 It's so true and one of the reasons why I love #experientiallearning: All the participants can have the exact same experience, but take something totally different away!💡 😍 Connection catalyzes content EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. because people feel more awake, alert, engaged, AND MORE HUMAN with connection. Whatever content you deliver will ultimately land more deeply and have more impact that way. Let's banish the days when we have to choose between the two or only choose #connectionbeforecontent. We need it all! 💬 What other ways do you see connection catalyzing content? Let me know in the comments below 👇 #ExperienceLearningwithRomy

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A free-to-use image collection with descriptive alternative text… #accessible

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Fuel Your Writing Success: Strategic Tools for Writers to Excel That I Love, by BadRedhead Media (aka Rachel Thompson Author) via Substack I love to help writers help themselves, whether that’s through this weekly newsletter, my monthly #BookMarketingChat (first Wednesday of each month at 2 pm pst/5 pm est on X/Twitter), my three books just for writers (on marketing, branding, and SEO), as well as a consultant and book marketer. I’ve collected my favorites here: 1. Hootsuite Pros: Great for scheduling posts across multiple social media platforms. Offers analytics to track engagement. Cons: Can be overwhelming due to its extensive features. The free plan is sadly, no longer an option. Costs: Plans start at $99 per month after a 14-day free trial. Link: Hootsuite.com I started using Hoot around 2010 when it was maybe $299 for the year. Now, I pay $600/year and can manage my over 50 accounts, so basically, I’ve been grandfathered in. I like Hootsuite because it’s one of the very few social media management scheduling tools that also allows you to interact (reply, like, reshare) right in the app. I prefer the web version, but their mobile version is decent if you schedule more on the go. 2. Canva Pros: Intuitive design tool for creating social media graphics, book covers, and promotional materials. It has a large library of templates. They even have a social media scheduler now. Cons: While versatile, it might not suffice for more detailed graphic design needs that professional software like Adobe provides. Costs: Free basic version. Pro version costs $10 per month. Link: Canva.com So, listen. I hate hate hate anything to do with graphic design. I’ve tried. I just suck at it. Creativity comes to me in words, not visuals. Canva takes a minute to figure out, but it’s super easy once you get the hang of it... Click to read more: https://buff.ly/447hQqm #bookboost #writers #writingcommunity #MondayBlogs

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Fuel Your Writing Success: Strategic Tools for Writers to Excel That I Love, by BadRedhead Media (aka Rachel Thompson Author) via Substack I love to help writers help themselves, whether that’s through this weekly newsletter, my monthly #BookMarketingChat (first Wednesday of each month at 2 pm pst/5 pm est on X/Twitter), my three books just for writers (on marketing, branding, and SEO), as well as a consultant and book marketer. I’ve collected my favorites here: 1. Hootsuite Pros: Great for scheduling posts across multiple social media platforms. Offers analytics to track engagement. Cons: Can be overwhelming due to its extensive features. The free plan is sadly, no longer an option. Costs: Plans start at $99 per month after a 14-day free trial. Link: Hootsuite.com I started using Hoot around 2010 when it was maybe $299 for the year. Now, I pay $600/year and can manage my over 50 accounts, so basically, I’ve been grandfathered in. I like Hootsuite because it’s one of the very few social media management scheduling tools that also allows you to interact (reply, like, reshare) right in the app. I prefer the web version, but their mobile version is decent if you schedule more on the go. 2. Canva Pros: Intuitive design tool for creating social media graphics, book covers, and promotional materials. It has a large library of templates. They even have a social media scheduler now. Cons: While versatile, it might not suffice for more detailed graphic design needs that professional software like Adobe provides. Costs: Free basic version. Pro version costs $10 per month. Link: Canva.com So, listen. I hate hate hate anything to do with graphic design. I’ve tried. I just suck at it. Creativity comes to me in words, not visuals. Canva takes a minute to figure out, but it’s super easy once you get the hang of it... Click to read more: https://buff.ly/447hQqm #bookboost #writers #writingcommunity

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Let’s play “Tell me if the copy was written by AI.” I can name that tune in one sentence. If you’re curious how writers and editors can tell if your copy is authentic or AI-generated, consider these tips from Ragan Communications and PR Daily. And here’s how you too can spot AI-generated copy in one sentence: “Look out for structural clichés. AI tools tend to write like a high-school freshman’s five-paragraph essay or the most insufferable kind of LinkedIn influencer. It starts thoughts with phrases such as “In this fast-paced world,” and ends writeups with hackneyed drivel such as “In conclusion, this impactful information has life-changing implications…” https://lnkd.in/gG69eJuP

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“The value of design isn't actually in producing visual artifacts, but in the process that leverages those artifacts.” Excellent article by Pavel Samsonov reminding us all of what it actually means to * design * something! Anyone who has ever interviewed me and asked me to “tell me about your process” has gotten an earful about this. The value of design will always be in producing a deliverable that embodies decisions made about benefits to the user-which requires understanding the user well enough to be able to make those decisions. https://lnkd.in/gBfMeVJn

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Is your role in presentation design in slide "production" or slide "design?" Troy, Nolan, and I have been talking about the differences between design and production in presentation work. Join our conversation on e198 of The Presentation Podcast as we unpack the roles, titles, and more used within presentation industry.

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Fuel Your Writing Success: Strategic Tools for Writers to Excel That I Love by BadRedhead Media via Substack I love to help writers help themselves, whether that’s through this weekly newsletter, my monthly #BookMarketingChat (first Wednesday of each month at 2 pm pst/5 pm est on X/Twitter), my three books just for writers (on marketing, branding, and SEO), as well as a consultant and book marketer. I’ve collected my favorites here: 1. Hootsuite Pros: Great for scheduling posts across multiple social media platforms. Offers analytics to track engagement. Cons: Can be overwhelming due to its extensive features. The free plan is sadly, no longer an option. Costs: Plans start at $99 per month after a 14-day free trial. Link: Hootsuite.com I started using Hoot around 2010 when it was maybe $299 for the year. Now, I pay $600/year and can manage my over 50 accounts, so basically, I’ve been grandfathered in. I like Hootsuite because it’s one of the very few social media management scheduling tools that also allows you to interact (reply, like, reshare) right in the app. I prefer the web version, but their mobile version is decent if you schedule more on the go. 2. Canva Pros: Intuitive design tool for creating social media graphics, book covers, and promotional materials. It has a large library of templates. They even have a social media scheduler now. Cons: While versatile, it might not suffice for more detailed graphic design needs that professional software like Adobe provides. Costs: Free basic version. Pro version costs $10 per month. Link: Canva.com So, listen. I hate hate hate anything to do with graphic design. I’ve tried. I just suck at it. Creativity comes to me in words, not visuals. Canva takes a minute to figure out, but it’s super easy once you get the hang of it... Click to read more: https://buff.ly/447hQqm #bookboost #writers #writingcommunity

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This screenshot is the agenda for Figma's 2024 Config closeout from 7:30-8:30P. Does that last session with Jason Ballard really say what I think it says? #RewirewithAI #futureHuman #buildingHumans #buildingHumansinFigma

We are long overdue in letting go of the term “user”. In early 2018, I worked on a study to understand “digital and people”, to help a company understand how to transition to being a “tech” company. While working on triangulating the research, a colleague kept saying, “It’s all about the user." That’s when it occurred to me: the tech world sought out to make sticky, addictive technologies for users, and they succeeded in creating addicts, aka users. Since then, colleagues, clients, and students I work with know the word “user” will not be seen in my work. Words are powerful as they set the intention. #designforpeople #humanitycentereddesign #designwithintent #ethicaldesign

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My rule of thumb is that if Wes Kao wrote it, I'll probably learn a lot from it. True to form, I appreciated Wes's recent post about how good design can obscure poor substance: https://lnkd.in/g4R6EjyU In technical documentation, it's often the presentation or formatting that first catches the eye but the substance that keeps the audience reading. It's true that a sleek website design adds to the overall product perception. However, it's the content that matters most. Our documentation is only a success if our customers can use it to complete their tasks. Note: All opinions are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer. #technicalwriting #documentation #contentdesign

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Mastering the Art of Writing: A Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Publishable Articles Do you want to turn your thoughts into compelling articles that people will love to read? Do you dream of seeing your work published and admired? This easy-to-follow guide will show you how to master the art of writing and create articles that captivate your audience. #WritingTips #ContentCreation #ArticleWriting #ResearchSkills #EditingTips #WritingProcess #ContentMarketing #Blogging #MediumWriters #SEO #WritingCommunity #ProfessionalWriting #EngagingContent #WritingGuide #ContentStrategy

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We all feel the need, the need for speed---> Ok, fellow UX nerds and Top Gunners, this one’s for you. But really, both right- and left-brainers need to heed the siren song of speed. Why? We’re all increasingly impatient. Our attention spans are compressing exponentially. We want what we want – especially in the digital landscape in which we all frolic – quicker and easier. One obvious way to deliver that is to fine-tune your website and app for fast loading times. Use techniques such as lazy loading, content delivery networks (CDNs), and optimized images to reduce loading times and improve overall performance. #ux #ui #webdesign #digitalagency #digitalmarketing #aimhigher More tips at: https://lnkd.in/enva2NVf

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The Affinity Suite is currently 50% off. Anyone who does some photo editing and vector image work and wants an alternative to paying for Adobe subscriptions forever, the whole suite is $83 for a perpetual license. There are some questions about what will happen long-term now that they've been bought by Canva, but this is still an excellent deal. I've been using Affinity Designer and Photo for several years now, and I find that they do everything I need them to do for my work. Especially for freelancers and consultants who need to pay for their own software or for organizations with limited budgets, using Affinity instead of Adobe often makes more sense. I'm sure Adobe's screw-up with their TOS is why Affinity is running a sale right now. https://lnkd.in/ebA4Jmwu

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Seriously, you cannot afford to miss this hands-on document #accessibility lab for #AdobeInDesign happening Adobe MAX 2024. I just finished polishing the outline up and I am just so excited to bring this to you! There are only 100 seats. This will sell out! Register at max.adobe.com Check out this outline, and tell me if you think I am exaggerating! InDesign to PDF: Unlocking Accessibility 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Join accessibility expert Dax Castro, ADS for this full-day lab and master the accessibility features of Adobe InDesign to produce more accessible PDFs. Unravel the power of key accessibility tools and discover simple ways to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, making your PDFs accessible for all users. In this hands-on preconference lab, you’ll learn how to: • Set up your templates for success • Learn the new accessibility features of Adobe InDesign • Leverage key tools like the Articles Panel and Styles • Understand potential accessibility barriers to watch out for • Develop best practices that result in more accessible PDFs Introduction (9:00 AM to 9:15 AM) Welcome and Agenda Overview Lesson 1: Understanding Accessibility in Digital Documents Key Concepts of Accessibility PDF/UA standards that apply to documents. • Accessibility Challenges • InDesign's Role in Accessibility Lesson 2: Setting Up Your Document for Accessibility (10:00 AM to 11:00 AM) • Document Structure • Metadata and Document Properties • Controlling Content Order Using Articles and Layers Break (11:00 AM to 11:15 AM) Lesson 3: Creating Accessible Content (11:15 AM to 12:15 PM) • Text and Typography • Images and Graphics • Tables and Lists  Lunch Break (12:15 PM to 1:15 PM) Lesson 4: Enhancing Navigation and Interactivity (1:15 PM - 2:15 PM) • Creating Bookmarks, References and Hyperlinks • Table of Contents Lesson 5: Exporting to Accessible PDF (2:15 PM to 3:00 PM) • Preparing for Export • Export Options • Post-Export Checks / Fixing Your Source Break (3:00 PM to 3:15 PM) Lesson 6: Testing and Refining Accessibility (3:15 PM to 4:00 PM) • Using Assistive Technologies • Common Issues and Fixes • Q&A and Resources Register at max.adobe.com #Accessibility #InclusiveDesign #MAX2024 #AdobeMax #CreativeCloud #InDesign #Acrobat #PDF #training #A11y

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🚨 Important Update for Adobe Users 🚨 Recently, Adobe faced backlash due to ambiguous language in their Terms of Service (TOS) that led a lot of people to believe the company claimed ownership over user-created works. This misinterpretation caused significant concern among creatives who rely on Adobe software (myself included). Adobe has since acknowledged the issue and pledged to revise the TOS to clarify their stance, ensuring that users retain ownership of their creations. https://lnkd.in/dTyc6DMX #Adobe #CreativeCommunity #TOS #UserRights #DigitalArt #CreativeSoftware

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