Social networks and online communities are reshaping the way people communicate, both in their personal and professional lives. What makes some succeed and others fail? What draws a user in? What makes them join? What keeps them coming back? Entrepreneurs and businesses are turning to user experience practitioners to figure this out. Though they are well-equipped to evaluate and create a variety of interfaces, social networks require a different set of design principles and ways of thinking about the user in order to be successful.

Design to Thrive presents tried and tested design methodologies, based on the author s decades of research, to ensure successful and sustainable online communities -- whether a wiki for employees to share procedures and best practices or for the next Facebook. The book describes four criteria, called"RIBS," which are necessary to the design of a successful and sustainable online community. These concepts provide designers with the tools they need to generate informed creative and productive design ideas, to think proactively about the communities they are building or maintaining, and to design communities that encourage users to actively contribute.
Provides essential tools to create thriving social networks, helping designers to avoid common pitfalls, avoid costly mistakes, and to ensure that communities meet client needs

Contains real world stories from popular, well known communities to illustrate how the concepts work

Features a companion online network that employs the techniques outlined in the book "

Accessible textbook for students and practitioners in UX writing, connecting study of technical communication and design to widely used industry practices --Core text for courses in technical and professional communication, user experience, media writing, and digital marketing, while also serving as a useful reference for junior practitioners to develop professional skills Connects an accessible presentation of underlying principles to real-world case studies and portfolio exercises to provide comprehensive and practical training

Accessible textbook for students and practitioners in UX writing, connecting study of technical communication and design to widely used industry practices --Core text for courses in technical and professional communication, user experience, media writing, and digital marketing, while also serving as a useful reference for junior practitioners to develop professional skills Connects an accessible presentation of underlying principles to real-world case studies and portfolio exercises to provide comprehensive and practical training