Reading Response for 10/21
A Brief Rant on the Future of Interaction Design
This online article briefly overviews what interaction design is, the tools used, and how we use our bodies to interact with technology. At the start of the article, a video gives a peek at where Interaction Design might be in the near future. Bret Viktor (the author) argues that this video is short-sighted in terms of the possibilities that interaction design holds. The video shows a number of users utilizing what he calls “Pictures Under Glass” technology. He then describes the fundamental principles of problem solving, and how humans historically utilize their hands to solve problems. The future of technology should be a tactful, tangible experience that utilizes people's bodies to interact and solve problems. At the end of the article, he gives an argument that designers (engineers and technologists) should design products that utilize the full movement of people's bodies, if not just their hands.
Houde, S., & Hill, C. (1997). Ch. 16: What do prototypes prototype. Handbook of human-computer interaction, 2, 367-381. NYU Library Link or Drive
This chapter in the Handbook of Human-Computer Interaction discusses the importance of creating prototypes and the language used to discuss and describe artifacts. The author emphasizes the importance of focusing on what we are trying to test when creating prototypes and less on the tools used to create them. At the end of the chapter, four suggestions are presented to designers.
Define prototype broadly
Build Multiple prototypes
Know your audience
Know your prototype, prepare your audience
One takeaway per reading.
A good tool is designed to fit both the problem and the person solving the problem.
In this chapter, the author discusses the main stakeholders that a designer should include in discussions about the prototype. These stakeholders are the intended users, the design teams, and the leading organization.
Connection to a real-world example
While reading about the importance of vision, I kept thinking about how science fiction and anime have influenced design. Anime’s like Akira, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Gundam influenced a full generation of Industrial Designers' sketching styles. I am interested in seeing how new TV shows like Altered Carbon will influence the future of interaction design.
This article reminds me of the benefits of utilizing .USDZ files when testing 3D designs in real-time.
Burning question(s)
How could interaction design be implemented in ways that help people with disabilities, both physical and mental?
How could Interaction Design be used to personalize and augment education for students with learning disabilities?