From my experience in the defense industry:
The relative newness of IxD really works against the recruiting
efforts in defense. There's rarely a top-down focus on usability
from government and corporate leadership, so positions rarely target
those skill sets specifically.
I've found that the
Ironically, we over at army.mil are putting a greater focus on UX, if
taking a non-optimal approach.
They know they need better usability but they are weary about where
to get it. Tomorrow, I will be giving a demo/presentation on IxD in
specific to our parent company. I'll be doing the classic
I hear what you guys are saying. NASA is somewhat of a duality. When
it comes to real science, they have the best in the world at their
disposal. Unfortunately, when you are a web developer for something
like Code 300 at Goddard, you spend all your time making databases
and static websites.
True,
Hi William,
I work as a contractor at NASA and have also spent some years on DHS
projects in the past. As far as I know, it's quite rare to find
positions marked with this specific career goal.
At NASA it's not titled Interaction Design per se, rather, Human
Factors. NASA has done a
On Oct 10, 2008, at 2:42 PM, William Brall wrote:
Are there any other IxDs who work in government, as IxDs or
stubbornly supporting IxD while under other titles, and if there
are, what are your thoughts on how to help the government at large
to embrace IxD?
William,
My company does a
Jack,
You make a really fantastic point. It is perhaps rather like the tree
that breaks the rock. Once it gets its roots into a crack it slowly
breaks open the stone. What lasted a million years is shattered in
10.
I'm in a prime location to lead by example. My co-workers have been
receptive and
William -
I hear ya. As a designer who cares deeply about experiences, I too
sought to effect the change you speak of (in fact, for the last 15
years)... but gave up this past Feb. Glad to hear you're still willing
to carry the torch because someone needs to carry it.
I can tell you
