Monday, 25 August: Interaction, Viewed Broadly

Ambient Music/Video:

Brian Eno Mistaken Memories of Mediaeval Manhattan

“The focus in this book is on testing Web sites, because that’s what most people are working on nowadays, and to keep the book short and uncomplicated. But the same method and principles can be used to test and improve almost anything people use. Web applications and desktop software are obvious candidates, but I think it applies equally well to ballots, cell phones, PowerPoint presentations, instructions for digital cameras, and the forms you fill out in your doctor’s office. I’d like to think that you could substitute ‘your product” wherever I refer to ‘your Web site’.” (p. 11)

Steve Krug, Rocket Surgery Made Easy Revisited

From Designing the Obvious by Robert Hoekman, Jr.

 

Self-service check out at Krogers -- a machine, not human-centered, design.

From Designing the Obvious by Robert Hoekman, Jr.

Course overview:

• In this course we’re going to do things
• We’re going to explore a series of frameworks/perspectives/lenses for understanding design in use (there is no "unified theory")
• In particular, we're going to explore how we can learn from the physical world how to embed virtual designs with the clues, e.g. metaphors, they need to be understood?

 

Desktop and desktop metaphor

The Microsoft User Interface Development Process


Hugh Dubberly How Do You Design? A Compendium of Models


Review of syllabus + schedule, and resources from Oncourse


The Academic Code


Introduction of Project 1: Analyzing Form + Function

A Wayfinding map showing access for the disabled to the Indiana University Fine Arts Library.

Homework:

• Read through course materials, note any questions you might have
• Read Don’t Make Me Think, pp. 9 – 19  and review Dubberly's How Do You Design? Read the introductory materials and scan through the models presented answer reading response questions and submit through “Assignments” on Oncourse by noon on Wednesday, 27 August
• Choose a design journal and appropriate pens, pencils, markers, and other tools

Reading Response Questions:

• What is Krug's definition of usability?
• What is Krug's first law of usability?
• Summarize the importance of Krug's view that web designs should be self-evident, obvious, and self-explanatory. Give an example of one interaction you've had that conforms to this view and an example of one that does not. Be specific.
• What, according to Dubberly, are the advantages of using a formal design process? Why were such methods developed? What can you conclude from the inclusion of so many models in the book?