On Dec 19, 2007, at 4:18 PM, Nick Iozzo wrote: > If we define this field as GraphicDesign+ComputerEngineering > +UsabilityEvaluations+UserResearch = Interaction Designer. Then no > interaction designers would ever exist. No one can advanced in all > of these equally (but for the occasional Leonardo).
Given that architects and industrial designers actually have to learn, be accountable for, have a deep knowledge across a variety of disciplines, and do more in their profession than what most software designers or interaction designers are expected to do, I'm going to have to disagree. > The value of user research is the ability to gain empathy for your > users. Sidenote: The value of research is that it's research. In other words, it gives you concrete data to work with during the process of design. Better data and research leads to better decisions. That you gain empathy in the process is a bonus, but it's not the primary value of research. > We need to understand and work closely with the designers > responsible for the final look and feel. Better yet... consider that you should become responsible for that look and feel. I don't know any industrial designers or architects who say things like, "Let someone else create the outward aesthetic. I just map out the scaffolding." > So, by my definition, to be a good interaction designer you need to: > * Focus in on just the interaction design (the design of the > functions) > * Be able to work well with someone responsible for the look and > feel (the design of the form) > * Be able to gain empathy with your users > * Be able to validate your designs with your users > * Be able to design something that can be built. I'm going to be blunt again. Those in this field who take this path -- the one where they willingly hand over large swaths of the design process to others and skip out on being able to do core design pieces with their own two hands, whether it be the aesthetic, building the prototype, or being involved in research -- will find themselves potentially out of work or at the short end of the stick in five to ten years once the crop of young talent matures a bit more. Especially as companies learn to do more with less as they always do and as technology flattens to the point where those who take initiative will learn these new tools will be able to build all sorts of things that were previously much more difficult to near impossible. The younger designers coming up right now are both eager and are currently learning all of these skills. And they are hungry. You can hate me for saying this or be pissed at me for even suggesting it, but consider I'm just the messenger. -- Andrei Herasimchuk Principal, Involution Studios innovating the digital world e. [EMAIL PROTECTED] c. +1 408 306 6422 ________________________________________________________________ *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
