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The Photoshop Blog offers the latest Photoshop news and software updates, Photoshop tips and tutorials, and random thoughts from graphic artist and Photoshop expert Jennifer Apple.
Backboard - Online Feedback Management For Design Projects
August 06, 2008
Backboard is a simple, lightweight utility that allows you to get
feedback on documents, images and web pages. You don't need an account, just
upload your document and you'll be set up with a Backboard at a dedicated URL.
Decide which
colleagues and friends you would like feedback from, and Backboard will send your URL to those
people with an invitation to leave feedback. Along with support for all common
document and image formats, Backboard also allows users to request feedback on any
website.
To find out more details we did a quick interview with Kimber Lockhart, the
CEO of Increo Solutions, which is the company behind this software. So here's the inside scoop on Backboard!
What was the inspiration behind it?
Backboard was created to make it easy to get feedback from a group on documents. It’s a simple concept, yet it solves a problem we’ve all had -- reconciling several emails with feedback, sorting out comments and corrections and distributing the next draft. In fact the original inspiration behind the product was a logo design -- frustrated with too many emails and versions floating around, we decided to build a better tool.
Who are the people behind this?
Backboard is produced by Silicon Valley, CA-based Increo Solutions. We produce easy-to-use software to support individuals and companies in the innovation process. Increo was founded in Spring 2007 by three then-Stanford students all of whom have since graduated. We were backed by venture firm Draper Fisher Jurvetson in Spring 2008.
How could this benefit people using Photoshop?
I can see Backboard being extremely useful to people using Photoshop. A Photoshop user might need feedback from a trusted group on an in-progress design. For example, this morning, I uploaded a .psd of a new business card design, shared the Backboard with my team, came back and had several comments.
My team had engaged in a discussion about my design and I had many new suggestions to implement. Benefits to Photoshop users include:
- Backboard supports .psd files -- many other sites require you convert your document before posting.
- Proofing is fast and easy -- just upload the file, choose the approval option, and import or enter email addresses. Stakeholders can then leave feedback and approve the document.
How is this an advantage over free file sharing sites, or flickr?
Backboard is focused on getting feedback on your work, so our feature set is different from what you will find on a file sharing site or Flickr.
- We have three security options so you can protect confidential documents, yet leave other documents open and request feedback from stakeholders that don't have Backboard accounts.
- Compatible with documents, PowerPoint presentations, most image formats, and websites.
- Don't need an account to use
- Ability to request approval of the document
- Once you've gotten feedback on a document, you can make changes and upload a new version. All Backboard participants are automatically notified and can come leave feedback on the changes.
How has the launch been?
It's going well so far. We have users in the US and Japan and have been honored on several CSS showcase sites for our innovative dark design (it highlights the documents).
What is in store for the future? What are your goals?
Most of Backboard's features were shaped by feedback from our users. We will continue to refine Backboard based on user input. Keep watch for some great features in the pipeline including even easier ways to create a Backboard.
Thanks
Kimber, and good luck with Backboard!
Visit Backboard and take a test drive.
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