Re: [IxDA Discuss] IxD in government
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 best way to introduce IxD into defense projects is through grassroots-style effort (further validating Dan's point). The engineers have to want good UX badly enough to focus energy on it while also trying to meet fairly strict capability deadlines. Ask a project lead in the defense industry which is more important-- great UX or more capabilities-- and you'll get the latter as your answer at least 95% of the time. Unfortunately, when it comes time to deliver, you'll hear plenty of criticism about usability if you haven't put anything into it. However, there is certainly (in my experience) a silver lining. Focus energy on UX, and it WILL be noticed. The government folks paid for the software, have to use the software, and do appreciate attention to detail (although its never asked for ahead of time). These types of pleasantly-surprised responses from our clients are the most rewarding part of being in the industry, and what Jack said absolutely rings true: it sets you apart. On that note-- if anyone knows of efforts within DoD or the IC to place more emphasis on UX/IxD, I'm tremendously interested to hear from them. Regards, Matt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=34166 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
Re: [IxDA Discuss] IxD in government
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 ATM example design as a way to show them the power of IxD. I'm also going to preface that demo with a presentation about where IxD should fit into the plan and why. Using House/Sky Scraper construction as a metaphor. IE, That you can get away with not having a dedicated architect or any at all and still have a working house. It would be better with an architect but it still would work. Meanwhile, you can't build a sky scraper without an architect, without a team of them, or it will fail at best and fall down at worst. The Developers are the builders, masons, carpenters, and electricians. The graphic designers are the interior decorators, and landscapers. But the missing piece in most software is the IxD, who is the architect. I'll also delve into the difference between Goals and Tasks/Features some as well. Anyway, If you, Matt, would like to talk to me more about what we are attempting to do, I'd be glad to. But I'll be a lot more free to talk details sometime next year. That said, we ARE looking for a UI designer. He would be making buttons and creating JS widgets, not an IxD. But if that job were filled with someone who was prepared to advocate IxD... Just Imagine. I can get details for anyone interested in that. Will . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=34166 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
Re: [IxDA Discuss] IxD in government
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, that those databases are there for have massive potential, but they look at you like you're crazy when you suggest how to unlock that potential. Doesn't help when the civil servant in charge of your team didn't know what PHP was when he first came to the team and thinks static websites are all the web is good for. Where I am now, at Army.mil, because if its PR focus and the group of people involved, along with their specific needs, has created a much better climate for change. NASA having bad websites is like when schools that teach web related courses have bad websites. Have you seen www.nasa.gov ? Will . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=34166 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
Re: [IxDA Discuss] IxD in government
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 tremendous amount of work researching how humans interact with machines since it's inception as an organization - and since the digital age (which they helped to create) has overtaken analog, I would agree they are behind industry, but not behind the curve. They employ many traditional methods of IxD and I if given the right financial climate, are poised to have a renaissance in this area. Much of Human Factors has been based in the psychology study area, but more and more we are impressing the bigger picture of interaction. For instance, in the arenas of FAA, Aeronautics and Space, prototyping and critique of inherently complex software interfaces has become a huge time saver. That need has pulled IxD along for the ride. The need to visualize before deployment has researchers asking an important question: Can this [software/hardware] look and function more effectively? and Who knows how to do that?.. San Jose State, CMU and others have been offering programs that work with NASA for some time. That said, I honestly don't know of anyone else at NASA or DHS doing IxD directly. Industrial Design, Graphic Design, Web Design and the like - yes... IxD, no. It's a little lonely at times, but exciting in terms of the huge possibility for improvement. I'd be happy to talk about starting a grass roots effort in this area and even creating a proposal. In all honestly, the financial and changing political climate makes this a bad time to pitch ideas. Not a bad idea to get *ready* to pitch ideas and prepare for a new administration though. In my admittedly limited estimation, such an effort would require a big commitment, perhaps even a big sacrifice to achieve. On the other hand, my parents always told me to be careful what I asked for... NASA has been an amazing experience, and I've been pleased at the level of progress made in my group(s). In this case, your tax dollars are going to a worthy task. :) Best, -Dan -- Dan Peknik, Industrial/Interaction Design NASA Ames Research Center * Bay Area, California -- On Oct 10, 2008, at 11:42 AM, William Brall wrote: Howdy everyone, I've spent my career working through various government agencies - NASA, DOD - and one of the most nerve-racking aspects of software development in here is how far they lag behind the curve. It is to the point where almost all of the people I interact with haven't the slightest inkling of what IxD is. Sometimes they don't even ask the bad questions like, Do you mean designing button graphics and such? Software, especially web software in the government sector is so remarkably bad that they actually have internal marketing campaigns inside an organization to promote new sub-sections of their vast web-presences. Recently, I attended the AUSA conference to help promote Army.mil and the army CMS CORE, and almost everyone who came to our booth assumed we were AKO (Army Knowledge Online) which is the Army's Intranet. My question here is two-fold. 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? Perhaps if we can band together, in-government-IxDs and out, we can effect some change. Or perhaps my own time working for the government (as a contractor) has been unique. I hope it has been, I fear it has not. Thoughts? 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 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
Re: [IxDA Discuss] IxD in government
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 lot of government contract work. I've been working with Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal (JEOD) for eight years. I've also worked with the Navy's FA-18 program, Maritime Intercept Operations, and others. My company's approach to this work is that IxD is part of the process and my involvement is what distinguishes our work from our competitors. You're right, most people don't know what an Interaction Designer does, but the military does care about Human-Systems Integration (HSI). They can be quite rigorous about performing field trials and collecting feedback from the warfighters. I can't speak to affecting the government at large, but I do know that by doing good work, I make an impression on those that we work with. After working with me, they have some understanding of the value that Interaction Design brings to the table. Now, that doesn't always mean they are converted— I occasionally get the feeling they feel threatened by somebody who is competent—but, overall, my company maintains long-term relationships and a degree of respect. I guess what I'm getting at is that I don't try to make the government see the light. I lead by example, educate when given the opportunity, and always strive to make the best impression I can. I would say the root of your observation is just that there are very few IxDers working for government contractors. Best, Jack Jack L. Moffett Interaction Designer inmedius 412.459.0310 x219 http://www.inmedius.com Simplicity is not the goal. It is the by-product of a good idea and modest expectations. - Paul Rand 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
Re: [IxDA Discuss] IxD in government
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 we'll be doing some IxD, or rather I'll be allowed to do some, for the CORE upgrade. Perhaps it isn't optimal, but it beats organic, implementation-model design. Thanks a bunch. :) Will . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=34166 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
Re: [IxDA Discuss] IxD in government
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 this... SAIC (my old company) has a contract with an organization in the Camp Springs / Andrews AFB area of Maryland... they're trying to hire an information architect, but the job description reads like it was written by someone who isn't as plugged into the topic as a candidate would hope. I might consider it as a stepping stone to a real job, but... I moved to california back in March. I would start an inter-office, inter-company, inter-agency online community (welcoming anyone involved with software development) that's purpose is to foster knowledge-sharing. You might even be able to do it using DKO - in fact, I'd recommend that as a means to legitimize and advertise. In fact, there might be such a group already. Best of luck. On Oct 10, 2008, at 11:42 AM, William Brall wrote: Howdy everyone, I've spent my career working through various government agencies - NASA, DOD - and one of the most nerve-racking aspects of software development in here is how far they lag behind the curve. It is to the point where almost all of the people I interact with haven't the slightest inkling of what IxD is. Sometimes they don't even ask the bad questions like, Do you mean designing button graphics and such? Software, especially web software in the government sector is so remarkably bad that they actually have internal marketing campaigns inside an organization to promote new sub-sections of their vast web- presences. Recently, I attended the AUSA conference to help promote Army.mil and the army CMS CORE, and almost everyone who came to our booth assumed we were AKO (Army Knowledge Online) which is the Army's Intranet. My question here is two-fold. 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? Perhaps if we can band together, in-government-IxDs and out, we can effect some change. Or perhaps my own time working for the government (as a contractor) has been unique. I hope it has been, I fear it has not. Thoughts? 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 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
