In my vision the two views collapse into one. One thing we that we can readily agree on is that design "lives" in the minds' eye of the one experiencing it. No matter whether the design just allows survival (usability, function) or affords magic (rising above seeming constraints). Given that design lives in the mind of the "experiencer", then surely magic also arises there too. So what is magic then?
It arises when design *effortlessly* connects intention with result - it meets the goals of the user with such little impediment that it *almost seems like magic*. With design, I believe magic *must be a meaningful surprise. * As an example of where there is meaning and thus magic: suppose I found a way to effortlessly let you connect with the computer such that subtle movements of ones fingers could control appliances, on/off switches on the wall and other such things from a distance...well that would be magic! There is great meaning to this interaction, I can control things I already do, but now with a great ease - thought-to- action with almost no impediment. As an example of where there is no meaning and thus no magic: suppose I found a way to let you effortlessly open a ketchup packet with a subtle brush of the fingers on the ketchup packet...well that would be banal. There is little value to this interaction, a problem not needing to be solved. While the technology may be magic, it is doubtful that anyone would care much as it isn't a meaningful problem to anyone. I would argue that the goal of the designer is bound to the problem at hand. When the stakes are opening a ketchup packet, maybe usability or function is just fine. But when the stakes are much higher, when audience may be eager for a tighter connection between effort and result then magic may arise in the design. Navid On Tue, Oct 13, 2009 at 5:54 PM, Dave Malouf <[email protected]> wrote: > I for one WANT to manipulate the world towards change. My change. My > ideals. > That fear is dishonest because every form of design is a manipulation, an > insertion into the cultural pool. Anyway, I found it interesting that it > isn't just us talking about this. > > -- dave > > > ________________________________________________________________ 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
