I have been DJ’ing for over 10 years. I started out with turntables and vinyl then slowly transitioned into using a computer. I use Sertato and turntables just for beat-matching and playing tunes. I recently got sick of looking at all the extra crap they have in the interface and decided to re-design it with only the stuff I actually use.

Here is the original:

Here is the redesign:

It is so easy these days to get caught up and entrenched in the technology of software. A new version of a new language comes out and gets software people in a frenzy. It’s exciting, new and provides more challenges for our brains to chew on and play with.

When building software products however, as practitioners of software, we can’t afford to forget the bigger picture of what we are all doing here. The best part of software is it’s ability to solve REAL human problems. Using technology for the purpose of using new technology doesn’t intrinsically provide much value.

Steps to build a product that has REAL value:

1. Observe the world around you and look for things that humans to that the use of technology can facilitate

2. Define the problem that you are trying to solve. Get down even a sentence so you can refer to your problem while your building your product to not get off track.

3. Solve your problem through the same lens as your users would.

4. Get something out there quickly for your users to play with.

5. Be thoughtful when listening to users feedback.

6. Iterate your product and strategy