3M, Dell, and Tripod Look to Expertise of TSDesign to Create User-Centered Web Environments that Meet Business Objectives.

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 8, 1999--

Proprietary Methodology 'Design for Intentional User Experiences(SM)

Solves Complex Web-based Problems for Leading Companies

-- First-of-its-kind User Experience Audit(SM) is

First Phase of Methodology --

The launch of the new 3M site (www.3M.com) March 5th is the latest example of how TSDesign has successfully applied its human-centered, strategic design services to solve complex Web-based business problems. TSDesign, a Boston-based Internet strategy and product design firm (www.tsdesign.com), offers a unique set of services that integrates the best of strategy consulting with information architecture, interaction design and branding.

The secret behind TSDesign's client successes is the proprietary methodology, Design for Intentional User Experiences(SM), which synthesizes business strategies, users' needs, organizational change, and technology requirements into effective online environments. The first phase in the process is the User Experience Audit(SM), an expert design analysis of a Web environment to evaluate the effectiveness of an online business.

"As Web environments grow larger and more complex, the need for businesses to focus on their customers in redefining a strategic presence is imperative," says Terry Swack, founder and CEO of TSDesign. "Although businesses acknowledge the importance of the Web as a vital business place, most do not know how to effectively transfer their business strategies there to meet customers' needs."

The User Experience Audit benchmarks the usefulness and usability of a Web environment from the users' perspective and determines whether its design is delivering on its business objectives. It then provides both tactical and strategic recommendations that enable companies to make immediate and dramatic improvements to their site and plan for strategic redesign in the future. It is this process driven approach and the repeated success of the User Experience Audit that attracts companies like 3M, Dell, and Tripod.

Working with 3M to Design a Global, Customer-Centered Site

"3M.com represents a matrix of diverse business units, products, technologies, and market orientation. The TSDesign User Experience Audit focused our attention on customer expectations. From there, it was a logical step to redesign the site using TSDesign's principles of 'intentional user experience' and 'consistency and comparability'. The results should benefit both 3M and our customers, as we design for ease of navigation, data integrity, reliability, innovation and commercial functionality- in short, a place to do business on a global scale," says Jim Radford, manager, 3M Corporate Marketing (www. 3M.com).

The findings from the User Experience Audit of 3M's Web site were so compelling that TSDesign was retained to develop the global Internet strategy, a process that will continue through 1999. To find out more about the story of 3M's new global Web architecture, visit www.3M.com and click on "3M Innovation."

Working with Dell to Define Online Customer Service and Support

"With online sales increasing daily, we needed to address issues of support, cost reduction and customer loyalty in the Service and Support area of our site. The quality and depth of research in TSDesign's User Experience Audit was unprecedented. Their work inside our organization and with our customers gave us a much deeper understanding of our customers' needs. TSDesign's analysis and findings validated what we believed needed to be done, and the recommendations had a profound impact on the redesign of the Service and Support site," says Bill Morris, senior manager, Online Marketing (www.dell.com).

Working with Tripod to Understand its Users to Build a Better Community

"TSDesign helped us to understand our business through understanding how our users would want to use our site. Our work with TSDesign was the single most important thing we did to further focus our business plan on personal publishing and community," says Bo Peabody, CEO and president, Tripod (www.tripod.com).

Using the Audit recommendations, Tripod was able to rearchitect the site to promote greater access to content and services. As a result, the site exceeded growth objectives and became more value to advertisers. Lycos acquired Tripod five months after the completion of the Audit.

"Effective design significantly impacts the success of an online business. It enables users to have meaningful and relevant experiences- and keeps them from moving on to competitors," says Swack. "Designers are increasingly being called upon to make complex and strategic contributions to the design and redesign of these products as the impact of 'design' is now more broadly understood. The goal is not only to be able to identify what is working, but to be able to understand and articulate for whom it's working and why."

About TSDesign

TSDesign was founded as a graphic design firm in 1985 by Terry Swack, CEO, and redefined in 1994 as an Internet strategy and product design firm specializing in human-centered information products and online business systems. In 1996, TSDesign pioneered the User Experience Audit, the first phase in its three-phased proprietary methodology, Design for Intentional User Experiences. Clients include 3M, Tripod, Dell, BankBoston, Sybase, VIP Calling, PlanetAll, and the AIIM International. TSDesign's staff has expertise in business and product strategy, technology, information architecture, interaction and interface design, brand identity and creating successful human-centered Web environments. TSDesign is located in Boston's Fort Point Channel District. For information on TSDesign services, call 617-423-7926.