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1 change: 1 addition & 0 deletions _posts/2024-09-27-experiment-tracking-dashboard.md
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- lean
- experiments
- HyeTech
- showcase
company: HyeTech
---

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73 changes: 45 additions & 28 deletions _posts/2024-10-09-on-travel-packing.md
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---
title: On travel packing
layout: post
drafting: true
drafting:
date: '2024-10-09'
modified_date: null
author: Eric Bell
summary: Travel packing tips for minimalist packing, with some list examples.
summary: Packing tips for minimalist travel, with some examples and lists.
thumbnail: "/assets/images/blog/packing-cubes.jpg"
tags:
- travel
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<input type="checkbox" id="mn-packed" class="margin-toggle"/>
<span class="marginnote">
<img src="/assets/images/blog/packing-ready.jpg" alt="Packing done">
</span>I spent my COVID lockdown watching a lot of YouTube videos about minimalist packing strategies.
</span>
I spent my COVID lockdown watching a lot of YouTube videos about minimalist packing strategies.

## Lockdown hobby

During the first year of COVID, I was stuck in my rather isolating solo apartment. That same year, my boss at the time<label for="sn-5" class="margin-toggle sidenote-number"></label>
<input type="checkbox" id="sn-5" class="margin-toggle"/>
<span class="sidenote">The inimitable<a href="https://thineownadvice.substack.com/">Greg Jagiello</a>.</span>
had been focused on empowering the design team to include personal and mental health goals in our OKRs,<label for="sn-6" class="margin-toggle sidenote-number"></label>
<span class="sidenote">The inimitable <a href="https://thineownadvice.substack.com/">Greg Jagiello</a>.</span>
was focused on empowering the design team to include personal and mental health goals in our OKRs,<label for="sn-6" class="margin-toggle sidenote-number"></label>
<input type="checkbox" id="sn-6" class="margin-toggle"/>
<span class="sidenote">The conceptually solid yet implementationally tricky goal-setting method of<a href="https://review.firstround.com/how-to-make-okrs-actually-work-at-your-startup/">Objectives and Key Results</a>.</span>
<span class="sidenote">The conceptually solid yet implementationally tricky goal-setting method of <a href="https://review.firstround.com/how-to-make-okrs-actually-work-at-your-startup/">Objectives and Key Results</a>.</span>
and encouraging us to actually pursue them. For me, that included goals to work in our other offices and from new locations.

I've always been a lightweight packer, but with one-off packing lists and inconsistent organization. After a year of minimalist packing videos and lists, I came out of lockdown with a significantly optimized setup to start experimenting with digital nomading and sustainable travel strategies.
I've always been a lightweight packer, but with one-off packing lists and inconsistent organization. After spending a year incrementally prototyping my packing approach, I came out of lockdown with a significantly optimized setup. It enabled me to experiment with digital nomading and sustainable travel strategies.

## General lessons

After iterating through a lot of minimalist packing ideas and finding a good balance for me, my primary lessons included the usefulness of packing cubes, switching a lot of clothing to merino wool, and creating checklist templates so I didn't have to worry about reinventing my packing needs each trip.
I iterated through a lot of minimalist packing ideas to find a good balance for me. My primary lessons included the usefulness of packing cubes, switching a lot of clothing to merino wool, and creating checklist templates so I didn't have to reinvent my packing needs for every trip.

**Packing cubes**. They're great for organizing things, though not necessarily for saving space. For me they help with the mental (and literal) compartmentalization of what I'm keeping track of.

**Packing cubes**. They're great for organizing things, though not necessarily for saving space. For me they help with the mental (as well as literal) compartmentalization of what types of things I'm packing and keeping track of. *Bonus*: When I get to a destintation, I can keep using them as "drawers" during my stay.
*Bonus*: When I get to a destintation, I can throw them on a shelf and keep using them as "drawers" during my stay.

<figure class="">
<label for="mn-cubes" class="margin-toggle">⊕</label>
<input type="checkbox" id="mn-cubes" class="margin-toggle">
<span class="marginnote">Packing cubes for organization</span>
<img src="/assets/images/blog/packing-cubes.jpg" alt="packing cubes">
<label for="mn-cubes" class="margin-toggle">⊕</label>
<input type="checkbox" id="mn-cubes" class="margin-toggle">
<span class="marginnote">Packing cubes for organization</span>
<img src="/assets/images/blog/packing-cubes.jpg" alt="packing cubes">
</figure>

**Rolling clothes**. Rolling up all my clothes simplified some things for me. I appreciate the compactness, ease of seeing and sorting them, and marginal reduction in wrinkles.<label for="sn-0" class="margin-toggle sidenote-number"></label>
**Rolling clothes**. Rolling up all my clothes<label for="sn-0" class="margin-toggle sidenote-number"></label>
<input type="checkbox" id="sn-0" class="margin-toggle"/>
<span class="sidenote">Also called the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QyYgZ6Lrqg">Ranger Roll or Army Roll</a> method.</span>
simplified some things for me. I appreciate the compactness, ease of seeing and sorting everything, and marginal reduction in wrinkles.

**Merino wool**. Wool undershirts, overshirts, and socks are the way to go, with some caveats. For shirts and socks, they really do last forever and smell astoundingly less than cotton or synthetics. Undershirts and socks I can wear multiple days in a row, and I have a couple overshirts that I haven't needed to wash for over a year each.<label for="sn-1" class="margin-toggle sidenote-number"></label>
**Merino wool**. Wool undershirts, overshirts, and socks are the way to go, with some caveats. For shirts and socks, they really do last forever and smell astoundingly less than cotton or synthetics. Undershirts and socks I can wear multiple days in a row, and I have a couple button-downs that I haven't needed to wash for over a year each.<label for="sn-1" class="margin-toggle sidenote-number"></label>
<input type="checkbox" id="sn-1" class="margin-toggle"/>
<span class="sidenote">
When I heard about Wool & Prince's <a href="https://woolandprince.com/blogs/everyday-merino/your-next-shirt-could-be-on-us">100-day challenge</a> I thought it was nonsense, but actually it was an understatement.
</span>

*Tradeoffs*: Merino wool is notably expensive, and finding properly soft undershirts can be a challenge.<label for="sn-2" class="margin-toggle sidenote-number"></label>
<input type="checkbox" id="sn-2" class="margin-toggle"/>
<span class="sidenote">Hands-down the softest and sturdiest merino t-shirts I've found are from<a href="https://outlier.nyc/collections/shirts/ultrafine-merino-cut-one-t-shirt">Outlier's selection</a>.</span>
And wool isn't suitable for everything (underwear and vests in particular I've stuck with synthetic and fleece, respectively).<label for="sn-3" class="margin-toggle sidenote-number"></label>
<span class="sidenote">Hands-down the softest and sturdiest merino t-shirts I've found are from <a href="https://outlier.nyc/collections/shirts/ultrafine-merino-cut-one-t-shirt">Outlier's selection</a>.</span>
Wool also isn't suitable for everything. I've stuck with synthetics for underwear, gloves and vests in particular.<label for="sn-3" class="margin-toggle sidenote-number"></label>
<input type="checkbox" id="sn-3" class="margin-toggle"/>
<span class="sidenote">
More comments on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHv-6U9eeWY&t=1667s">merino wool shortcomings</a>.
</span>

**Hand-washing**. Getting used to washing things in the sink really changed the scale of what I need to pack. While I do still generally pack a week of clothes (and count on a laundry machine at my destination), I discovered that I really only need three sets. Wear one, wash another, let the third dry. With wool and synthetics, most things air dry in a few hours. Some months I exclusively washed everything in the sink. It shifted my mindset from "packing everything to last for X days" to "a rotating wardrobe for an indefinite period of time."
**Hand-washing**. Getting used to washing things in the sink really changed the scale of what I need to pack. While I do still pack around a week of clothes (and count on a laundry machine at my destination), I discovered that I really only need three sets: wear one, wash another, let the third dry. With wool and wicking synthetics, most things air dry in an afternoon. And some months I did exclusively wash everything in the sink.<label for="sn-7" class="margin-toggle sidenote-number"></label>
<input type="checkbox" id="sn-7" class="margin-toggle"/>
<span class="sidenote">
At first I tried single-use detergent packets, but eventually I just went with shampoo or hand soap.
</span>
It shifted my mindset from "packing everything to last for X days" to "a rotating wardrobe for an indefinite period of time."

**Solid toiletries**. Having to keep a separate plastic bag for liquid toiletries really messes up the clean geometry of my suitcase, so I was motivated to remove the need for it at airport security. I gradually switched out all of my liquid toiletries, specifically toothpaste tablets, a conditioner bar (I haven't used shampoo in years), and a shaving soap stick. YMMV.
<label for="mn-tetris" class="margin-toggle">⊕</label>
<input type="checkbox" id="mn-tetris" class="margin-toggle"/>
<span class="marginnote">
<img src="/assets/images/blog/packing-tetris.jpg" alt="Everything fits">
Everything fits
</span>
**Solid toiletries**. Having to keep a separate plastic bag for liquid toiletries really messes up the clean geometry of my suitcase, so I was motivated to remove the need for it at airport security. I gradually switched out all of my liquid toiletries. Specifically, toothpaste tablets, a conditioner bar (I haven't used shampoo in years), and a shaving soap stick. YMMV.

## Bags and lists

My setup is primarily based around a suitcase and a backpack. These are the size constraints I focused on.
My setup is primarily based around a suitcase and a backpack. As tempting as it was to try for a single backpack large enough for one-bag travel, my back is not as young as it used to be and physically carrying less is more relaxing.

**Suitcase + backpack**. A suitcase small enough for international carry-on, and a backpack small enough not to be obnoxious for commuting or day trips. As tempting as it was to try for a single backpack large enough for one-bag travel, my back is not as young as it used to be and physically carrying less is more relaxing. I do include a sling for everyday wear, that among other things is big enough to hold my iPad, but for travel days it gets packed away.<label for="sn-4" class="margin-toggle sidenote-number"></label>
<input type="checkbox" id="sn-4" class="margin-toggle"/>
<span class="sidenote">
Commentary on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS3r4xMXTlg">what makes a sling useful</a>.
</span>
**Suitcase + backpack**. A suitcase small enough for international carry-on, and a backpack small enough not to be obnoxious for day trips or commuting.

<label for="mn-suitcase" class="margin-toggle">⊕</label>
<input type="checkbox" id="mn-suitcase" class="margin-toggle"/>
Expand All @@ -91,10 +102,16 @@ Commentary on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS3r4xMXTlg">what makes a
<img src="/assets/images/blog/packing-backpack.jpg" alt="backpack">
</figure>

**Sling**. I do also have a sling for everyday use, but for travel days it gets packed away. Among other things, mine is big enough to hold my iPad.<label for="sn-4" class="margin-toggle sidenote-number"></label>
<input type="checkbox" id="sn-4" class="margin-toggle"/>
<span class="sidenote">
Commentary on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS3r4xMXTlg">what makes a sling useful</a>.
</span>

<label for="mn-cards" class="margin-toggle">⊕</label>
<input type="checkbox" id="mn-cards" class="margin-toggle"/>
<span class="marginnote"><img src="/assets/images/blog/packing-trello-cards.png" alt="thumbnail list"></span>
**Checklists**. I also made a packing list for each bag and turned them into Trello card templates, with the annotated photo as the thumbnail for each one.
**Checklists**. I also made a packing list for each bag and turned them into Trello card templates, with the annotated photo as a thumbnail. Each checklist ends with "update the template with any changes".

<figure class="flex">
<label for="mn-lists" class="margin-toggle">⊕</label>
Expand All @@ -109,7 +126,7 @@ Commentary on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS3r4xMXTlg">what makes a
## Other people's advice

There are endless resources and videos on these topics, and if you have the stomach for them many are insightful.
- [*Pack Hacker's digital nomad packing list*](https://packhacker.com/packing-list/digital-nomad/). The digital nomad lists tend to be full of newer and niftier things, but there’s no real need to get specialized expensive stuff (except maybe wool), it’s more about the mindset and thinking through your needs. They have a budget travel packing list, too.
- [*A couple describes their overall approach and lessons*](https://youtu.be/M4WxFM2uV2U). Considerations for a two-person approach to packing for indefinite travel.
- [*Pack Hacker's digital nomad packing list*](https://packhacker.com/packing-list/digital-nomad/). "Digital nomad"-oriented lists tend to be full of newer and niftier things, but there’s no real need to get specialized expensive stuff (except maybe wool). It’s more about the mindset and thinking through your needs. They have a budget travel packing list, too.
- [*A couple describes their list and lessons*](https://youtu.be/M4WxFM2uV2U). Considerations for a two-person approach to packing for indefinite travel.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you found something useful.
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title: 'Frood: frictionless food entry on mobile'
company: Side projects
date: '2012-10-21T11:07:00-04:00'
thumbnail: /assets/images/hack-frood-screen.png
tags:
- hackathon
- one-shot
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- hackathon
- oneshot
- portfolio
- showcase
tumblr_url: https://ericthebell.info/post/65634212051/wtf-denied-explaining-benefits-better
---
A project at the [Health 2.0 Code-a-thon: Power to the Patient](http://www.health2con.com/devchallenge/health-2-0s-sf-code-a-thon-12/). Winner of the EOB Redesign Challenge, 2nd place overall.
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32 changes: 18 additions & 14 deletions _roles/Fanga.md
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---
layout: role
company: Rakuten Manga
logo: /assets/images/logo-fanga.png
logo: /assets/images/fanga-logo.png
thumbnail: /assets/images/fanga-paneling.jpg
tagline: Comics with a global following, powered by fans
position: Director of Product Design
Expand All @@ -11,9 +11,6 @@ dateshow: 2015-2016
tags: startup spinoff consumer comics crowdsourcing translation strategy web mobile CMS analytics research showcase
---

Viki & Rakuten Manga | Dir PD SF • Singapore • France '13-'16
Fan-translation platforms for global TV & comics. Directing, coordinating, designing UX strategy across external & internal product teams. Formed & led design team. #strategy #web #mobile #CMS #analytics #research

### Industry

Comics and graphic novels are created around the world, with a global fanbase. The most popular series may be translated into a few populous languages, but most content ends up distributed through scanlation groups who pirate it and spend laborious hours in Photoshop creating one translation. It is available illegally at best, and in a couple languages at most.
Expand All @@ -36,23 +33,30 @@ I collaborated across a trans-Atlantic team to flesh out a product vision and ro

Our team was split between Viki's office in San Francisco, where I was based with our CEO and community manager, and Aquafadas' in Montpellier, France, where our CTO, PM, and engineering teams, with a content acquisition team in Tokyo.

<label for="mn-paneling" class="margin-toggle">⊕</label>
<input type="checkbox" id="mn-paneling" class="margin-toggle"/>
<span class="marginnote">
<img src="/assets/images/fanga-paneling.jpg" alt="Panels and bubbles">
Marking the panels and speech bubbles</span>
<label for="mn-translation" class="margin-toggle">⊕</label>
<input type="checkbox" id="mn-translation" class="margin-toggle"/>
<span class="marginnote">
<img src="/assets/images/fanga-translation.jpg" alt="Translation interface">
Translating and styling</span>
### Outcome

Launched a beta platform with test content and an budding fan community, began iterating on the platform with community feedback. Due to parent company's unrealistic revenue timelines and content priorities, the initiative was prematurely canceled.

## Project areas

Product Strategy
High level product vision, roadmap, and prioritization.
strategic approach + product areas
primary scenarios + roadmap phasing + challenges functionality
**Product Strategy**. High level product vision, roadmap, and prioritization.

<!-- strategic approach + product areas
primary scenarios + roadmap phasing + challenges functionality -->

Translation Platform
Translation workflow (bubbles and lettering) prototyping and iteration.
**Translation Platform**. Translation workflow (bubbles and lettering) prototyping and iteration.

Catalog & Library
Content organization and navigation for translator, reader, and paid content.
**Catalog & Library**. Content organization and navigation for translator, reader, and paid content.

Reading Experience
Dynamic panel grouping behavior guidance, reader interactions.
**Reading Experience**. Dynamic panel grouping behavior guidance, reader interactions.

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