Denuology: The Observation and Observations of Denuo. » Caroline Chen

The Benefits of Gamification (as featured in the Razorfish Outlook Report)

Caroline Chen — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 04:10:39 +0000

Our VivaKi sister agency, Razorfish, has released its annual Outlook Report to much-tweeted fanfare. Among the eye-opening perspectives on media, retail, collaboration and social, Denuo was able to offer some clarity on industry hot topic, gamification. Let us know what you think.

Read the full article: The Rules of Gamification

Community Management: 5 Tips for a Twitter Makeover

Caroline Chen — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 17:26:54 +0000

After participating in a weekly experiment with Sarah Chiappetta for @denuology, I was able to uncover a few simple tweaks that anyone can implement to their own Twitter page. I describe them in this month’s ClickZ community management article, covering “makeover” tips such as experimenting with new venues for creative expression, writing less characters for more quality, and involving more brands and influencers in conversation.

Read more at ClickZ, and catch up on previous community management topics:

Design by Sarah Chiappetta.

5 Things to Listen for in Your Community

When Is It Time To Join The Conversation?

What Does Your Twitter Ratio Say About You?

From Facebook to Twitter: Save Your Community From Redundancy

Trolls Are Inevitable; Here’s How to Deal With Them

Building a Community Management Team

Line Charts, Denunions and Smizing: A Visual Recap of SXSW 2011

Caroline Chen — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 15:26:52 +0000

Our first SXSW experience via Pinterest: learnings, observations, and all those regrets.

Documented and collected with Anisha Ahluwalia, Dan Buczaczer, Lynn Lim, Pinterest Superfan Sarah Chiappetta, and Stephanie Huynh.

How Denuo does SXSW 2011

Caroline Chen — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 19:06:49 +0000

Conference season continues courtesy SXSW, where a group of female Denuologists and one (1) Dan Buczaczer will partake in all things interactive, film and music. Aside from ordering appletinis and talking menstrual cycles to further aggravate Dan’s insecurities, we’re all excited to attend for our own selfish, nerdy, pseudo-work-related reasons.

Below, you’ll find each of our personal SXSW must-see sessions / prime stalking grounds. (Twitter links included for your onslaught of judgment.) See you in Austin.

The 4-Hour Body: Hacking the Human Body
3/13 @ 11AM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

Since Tim Ferriss knows the secrets to 100 mile runs and 15 minute orgasms, he’s my ticket to finally becoming a ninja, double dutch champion or synchronized swimmer.

A Conversation with Paul Reubens
3/13 @ 12:30PM / Site / Sitby.us

Pee Wee has conquered TV, movies, seedy theaters and Broadway. Can’t wait to hear what’s next.

Christopher Poole keynote
3/13 @ 2PM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

He created the ultimate Devil’s playground, when he was 15.

Defining the Diaspora: Global Collaboration and Social Change
3/13 @ 5PM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

Attending this will make me feel like I am doing something productive for mankind, and thus I will feel better about myself. Also, it’s led by the Nomadic Wax founder which is a cool story in itself.

Bite Me: Are Ethics Gone in Food Criticism
3/14 @ 11AM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

I don’t have ethics and I like pretending to be a food critic.

How Game Dynamics Can Change Real World Experiences
3/14 @ 12:30PM / Site / Lanyrd

Pete Cashmore interviewing Foursquare founder Dennis Crowley increases the chances that we’ll get tangible insight into how location-based services will evolve to further transform how we experience the present.

Steven Johnson presentation
3/15 @ 9:30AM / Lanyrd

I like his writing. I like his speaking.

Marc Ecko’s Formula for AWEthentic Connections
3/15 @12:30PM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

Ecko is a pioneer in everything he touches, from fashion to gaming to music. I’d like to to have a Sazerac with him.

Read Anisha’s posts here. Follow Anisha on Twitter: @chubs999

My schedule is perfect for the easily excitable celebwhore with a meandering attention span and a healthy appetite for free goods and services. It is quite possibly the most confusing/worst way to experience SXSW. Enjoy.

TRON: Legacy Lounge
3/11 @ 12PM / Site

Getting my Garrett Hedlund on.

BattleDecks 2011
3/11 @ 4PM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

Despise public speaking but delight in watching others suffer.

Why Would We Think Social Media Is Revolutionary?
3/11 @ 5PM / Site / Sitby.us

Reading a Clay Shirky book right now. Will feel self-important sitting in the crowd.

SUPER-Talented: With James Gunn, Ellen Page & Rainn Wilson
3/12 @ 12:30PM / Site / Sitby.us

CELEBS!

Catherine Hardwicke’s Directing Workshop
3/12 @ 2PM / Site

TWILIGHT!

#FAIL: Infamous Social Media PR Disasters
3/13 @ 11AM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

Point-and-laugh ego boost for the insecure community manager.

Viral Marketing with The Oatmeal
3/13 @ 12:30PM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

This is a given.

The SXSW Street Food Fest presented by Foodspotting & Blackberry
3/13 @ LUNCHTIME! / Site / Sitby.us

MEAT PIES AND SCAVENGER HUNTS! So beautiful…should’ve…sent…poet…

How Blogs With Balls Are Saving Sports Media
3/14 @ 9:30AM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

My favoritest sports bloggers in one room. But if there is no talk of Tebow, I will heave my chair at the stage and leave.

Worst Website Ever II: Too Stupid To Fail
3/14 @ 11AM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

Designers, coders and entrepreneurs competing to pitch their worst business ideas for VC funding. So. Very. Excited.

Read Caroline’s posts here. Follow Caroline on Twitter: @chenney

My background is in 3D design, so that’s what I gravitate towards. More related to what we do at Denuo, 3D design follows a lot of the same tenets as the type of work we do – what is the story? What is the user experience like? How do we make sure consumers are attracted to what we create and how to we make sure they keep on using? That basically is what’s informing my choice of sessions.

How Not to Be a Douchebag at SXSW
3/11 @ 2PM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

It’s my first time at SXSW, and though I’ve never in my life been labeled a “douchebag,” I have been “that girl.” And this sessions is back by popular demand, which leads me to believe there is still a pervasive level of douchebaggery here.

An Interview with Mythbuster Adam Savage
3/12 @ 5PM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

Um, I love Mythbusters.

Radical Openness: Growing TED by Giving it Away
3/13 @ 9:30AM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

Talk given by June Cohen, Executive Producer of TED. Need I say more?

The Refrigerator Speaks: The Secret Language of Things
3/13 @ 3:30PM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

About smart products – which ones have and haven’t taken hold and why? Embedding sensors and all sorts of new technology, if done in the wrong way, doesn’t make products any more useful. People have to identify with them for them to work.

Re-branding Birth Control: Behavior Change through Design
3/13 @ 5PM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

I’m trained as an object/product designer, so one are that I’m very interested in is that space between actual behavior and how we strive to change it through design. Regardless of the scale of design (digital, object, or architectural), there’s always a huge disconnect between the problem and the method of problem-solving. In this session, it’s about tackling an issue of arising from desire through logic. Sounds fishy, right? No wonder people still need to be educated about birth control. This session is both for professional and personal interest — and obviously is less about the birth control and sex and more about understanding how to appeal to people in language they can understand, be it verbal, visual, or anything else.

Anatomy of a Design Decision
3/14 @ 5PM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

Uses research vs. gut instincts. How to separate good from bad design. Jared Spool breaks down the good user experience, which is ultimately what were trying to create with marketing.

Designing Ideas, Not Objects
3/15 @ 11AM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

Um, wish I could go!

Read Lynn’s posts here. Follow Lynn on Twitter: @leenleem

Categorization helps me feel less overwhelmed…

Celebs I <3:

A Conversation with Paul Reubens
3/13 @12:30PM / Site / Sitby.us

I grew up with Pee-Wee. I used watched Pee-Wee’s playhouse with my dad and have seen Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure more times than I care to admit. Yay!

Kanye West, Antique Aquariums and Authenticity in Celebrity 2.0
3/15 @ 12:30PM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

Gasp! What makes Kanye the most compelling & quotable person on Twitter? Um, I’m pretty sure I already know the answer to this question but nothing makes me happier than ‘Ye. If I for some reason miss this I will cry the whole flight home.

Design, bc it’s my job and I love it:

How Print Design is the Future of Interaction
3/12 @ 9:30AM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

Ordering Disorder: Grid Design for the New World
3/12 @ 12:30PM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

Brand Consistency Is Killing Digital Advertising
3/12 @ 5PM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

All sound super interesting and useful. I will be taking copious notes.

Tech that I want to someday use in real life:

Building Fences in the Sky
3/13 @ 11AM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

Geo-Fencing Has Arrived: I think I pitch geo-fencing in every brainstorm.

Why My Phone Should Turn Off the Stove
3/13 @ 3:30PM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

Not only to reduce my carbon footprint but to also save money on my electric bill. Please and thank you.

WTF:

Fun With The Lights Off: Interactivity Without Graphics
3/13 @ 5PM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

Subtle Sexuality: NBC.com Adds Spice to Shows
3/14 @ 9:30AM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

The Sexual Survival Guide for Geeks
3/11 @ 5PM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

I just want to be a fly on the wall.

To make Tim jealous:

Felicia Day
3/12 @ 1 PM & Mon 3/14 @ 2PM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

Of Fanboys & Fidelity – Adapting Comics For Broad Audiences
3/13 @ 3:30PM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

Read Sarah’s posts here. Follow Sarah on Twitter: @sarahchiappetta

How to Not be a Douchebag at SXSW
3/11 @ 2PM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

I think I’ll join Lynn on this one.

The Potential of Augmented Reality for Education
3/11 @ 3:30PM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

AR always gets touched on in gaming stuff. I always write about education / charity work. This could be helpful for any future gaming programs.

Clothing Swap, hosted by Swap.com
3/11 @ 7PM / Site

Bring a bag, get a bag. Basically bring a bag of gently used (SMELLY) clothes & you get to fill it up with other people’s gently used (SMELLY) clothes. Also,great way to meet other fashuns bloggers & style the outfits of the clothes you’re donating. All clothes not taken is given to Goodwill.

The Mix at Six presented by SapientNitro
3/11 @ 6PM / Site / Sitby.us

I mean, they had me at open bar & a DJ.

Saturday Yoga
3/12 @ 9PM / Site / Sitby.us

Haha, free yoga, how can I not?

Interactive Marketing Horror Stories
3/12 @ 5PM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

Sounds funny.

#FAIL: Infamous Social Media PR Diasters
3/13 @ 11AM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

Would like to go to this one if the Texas Style Council panel doesn’t run over – talks about how the inattention can lead to disaster for brands.

Blogger Symposium
3/13 @ 12PM / Site

The Texas Style Council blog conference that I registered for. Keynotes & panels about fashuns stuffs.

Fashion Blogging: Capturing & Keeping Readers Who Buy
3/14 @ 5PM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

Talks about how bloggers are influencers – will be good background for the stuff I’m working on with Sarah.

The Death of the Brand Website
3/15 @ 2:30PM / Site / Sitby.us / Lanyrd

Would have been interesting to go to – talks about how brands structure their sites more like blogs than brand sites.

Read Stephanie’s posts here. Follow Stephanie on Twitter: @hoisinivy

Community Management: Troll 101

Caroline Chen — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 17:21:45 +0000

Starting this year, I’ll be cheating on Denuology and posting monthly insights for ClickZ’s new Community Management column. This month, I take pleasure in covering everyone’s favorite ’80s collectibles: trolls.

A peek at what’s covered in “Trolls are inevitable. Here’s how to deal with them.”:

Don’t let them see you cry.
Separate the genuine complaints from the rage.
Kill ‘em with kindness.
Feed your advocates, starve the trolls.
Relish the troll fight.
Avoid deleting.
Prepare for a troll avalanche.

Confused? Then dive into the article here, and if you’re feeling generous and very community-managementy, check out my previous article on building a community management team.