On Jan 18, 2008, at 3:14 PM, Robert Hoekman, Jr. wrote: > Of course, but putting it on the IxDA site is key to this effort. > Part of > the goal is to build up IxDA's credibility, so it becomes as > authoritative > and meaningful as other similar groups, such as AIGA. If we're > creating the > definitions (and really, who would be more qualified?) as part of > IxDA, then > we should use the opportunity to improve the IxDA reputation and > brand.
One thing to consider would be to get a small set of very high level issues out of the way first before digging in too deeply. A least as defined by the IxDA Board of Directors as a set of decisions to use as a broad framework. A large part of the "creditability" issue, which is indeed very important for any group like the AIGA or IDSA or an emerging group like the IxDA to have, is exactly why do you exist? Why should someone in any organization pay money for your work? Why are you even needed? And why not use someone else from a different organization with a similar skill set? People who consider themselves part of the IDSA don't largely consider themselves the kind of designer that would want an AIGA membership and vice versa. (Sure, it happens, but being a graphic designer is reasonably different than being an industrial designer for most people.) Why? Because the larger aspect of what an industrial does versus a graphic designer is reasonably distinct and rich. And now a lot of people who write the checks have the concept of what kind of person they should try to hire given the kind of thing they need designed. To me, I think the IxDA has to get an agreed scope of what the work entails. And to ask yourselves is that "unique" to justify your existence in the first place. I personally think the digital revolution creates a digital designer. The key aspect to digital products is the need for code and software at the basic level. Software is main secret sauce, and how that software is used either on its own or with hardware is what make digital design possible. Further, digital is the unique thing in all work that requires a rich and intricate back and forth to occur between a product and the person using it. (Which is why I think interaction designers largely get their start in technology centered products like software.) Digital is what makes it all possible between people and products to the degree it requires a person to focus on the design of that part of a larger product. And digital as an integral part of the skill set needed to do the work is what makes it unique and distinct from a group like the IDSA or AIGA. So why not embrace digital, even at the exclusion of other aspects of what may be possible with "interaction" design? That would be the direction I would favor, for reasons I've stated in this list too many times to repeat here. If "interaction" is defined as not requiring a digital component, I'm of the opinion the IxDA will fade away in the future as it gets folded into an organization like the IDSA, which is obviously far more along, has many more resources and is better suited to help people to get involved with a broader scope of "interaction" work that doesn't require a digital component. However, the digital piece is what makes someone who does this work viable as their own entity inside any corporation, and digital is already so prevalent that it won't be going away, ever. I know there are people out there who believe interaction design can move to include "services" design. It's clear I don't prescribe to that direction, which is why I think the IxDA needs to get some clarity here and start to draw that line in the sand at a high level to provide broad guidance. I also know that I would drop my activity in the IxDA if the reason for being a member in that group is to be something other than a designer who works on the design of digital products. That's my two cents. I'd be happy to lend my thoughts on any definitions for the IxDA to be considered or ignored, but if the organization is going away from digital and trying to be broader, then I for one would be very interested in knowing that sooner than later. I'm sure there are others like me out there that feel the same way. (In fact I know there are as they always tell me privately but let me take the heat on the list.) -- 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
