Thoughts on Interaction Design

by Jon Kolko

Overview

Thoughts on Interaction Design explores the theory behind the field of Interaction Design in a new way. It aims to provide a better definition of Interaction Design that encompasses the intellectual facets of the field and the particular methods used by practitioners in their day-to-day experiences. It also attempts to provide Interaction Designers with the vocabulary necessary to justify their existence to other team members. The book positions Interaction Design in a way that emphasizes the intellectual facets of the discipline. It discusses the role of language, argument, and rhetoric in the design of products, services, and systems. It examines various academic approaches to thinking about Design, and concludes that the Designer is a liberal artist left to infuse empathy in technologically driven products. The book also examines the tools and techniques used by practitioners. These include methods for structuring large quantities of data, ways of thinking about users, and approaches for thinking about human behavior as it unfolds over time. Finally, it introduces the idea of Interaction Design as an integral facet of the business development process.*First book to provide a solid definition and framework for the booming field of interaction design, finally giving designers the justification needed to prove their essential role on every development team *Provides designers with tools they need to operate effectively in the workplace without compromising their goals: making useable, useful, and desirable products *Outlines process, theory, practice, and challenges of interaction design – intertwined with real world stories from a variety of perspectives

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780123786258
Publisher:	Morgan Kaufmann Publishers
Publication date:	03/27/2010
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	168
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Jon Kolko is the Executive Director of Design Strategy for Thinktiv and is responsible for designing and delivering emotionally resonating and relevant products, services, and systems. Jon is also the Founder and Director of the Austin Center for Design, an educational institution in Texas. He has worked extensively in the professional world of interaction design, solving the problems of Fortune 500 clients. His work has extended into the worlds of consumer electronics, mobile, web, supply chain management, demand planning, and customer-relationship management. He has worked with clients such as AT&T, HP, Nielsen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Ford, IBM, Palm and other leaders of the Global 2000. The underlying theme of these problems and projects was the creation of Design with a focus on Design Synthesis and the creation of meaning.Prior to working at Thinktiv, Kolko has held the positions of Principal Designer and Associate Creative Director at Frog. He was also a Professor of Interaction and Industrial Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where he was instrumental in shaping the Interaction and Industrial Design undergraduate and graduate programs. Kolko sits on the Board of Directors for the Interaction Design Association (IxDA), and is the Editor-in-Chief of Interactions Magazine, published by the ACM.

Table of Contents

IntroductionSection One / Understanding Interaction DesignChapter One: Multiple Roots, and an Uncertain FutureChapter Two: Computing and Human Computer InteractionInteraction Design in an Engineering Centric WorldSection Two / Connecting People, Emotions and TechnologyChapter Three: A process for Thinking about PeopleChapter Four: Managing ComplexityChapter Five: Shaping Aesthetics to Inform ExperienceInteraction Design as Business LubricantSection Three / The Rhetorical Nature of Interaction DesignChapter Six: Interaction Design and CommunicationOn the Nature of Interaction as LanguageSection Four / Challenges Facing Interaction Design in IndustryChapter Seven: The Political Dynamics of Product DevelopmentGetting Design DoneIn Summary

What People are Saying About This

"This book occupies alone a special place on the designer's bookshelf; it is truly a unique and lusciously written book that also benefits from being well-designed in its own right."
—Will Evans, Principal, Experience Design, Twin Technologies

"Thoughts on Interaction Design should be part of the canon for any aspiring designer who intends to design products that people actually use."
—Robert Blinn, core77.com

"Kolko provides a succinct, readable, and thought-provoking summary of how to think about what you're doing: it's a rich outline of process and history within the context of business and strategy."
—clickstart

"Throughout my career I have wanted someone to articulate the thoughts Jon Kolko shares in his book. Kolko is brilliant when describing the problems facing the software development community and insightful when discussing ways to resolve the issues."
—Angela Roberton, Technical Communications

"People are clamoring for more copies of Thoughts on Interaction Design. It is one of two key books on interaction design practice that are of relevance to students and practicing interaction designers alike."
—Jodi Forlizzi, Associate Professor of HCII and Design, Carnegie Mellon University

From the Publisher

Jon Kolko's classic and hard-to-find Thoughts on Interaction Design is now back and ready for world-wide distribution!

Editorial Reviews

People are clamoring for more copies of Thoughts on Interaction Design. It is one of two key books on interaction design practice that are of relevance to students and practicing interaction designers alike." —Jodi Forlizzi, Associate Professor of HCII and Design, Carnegie Mellon University

"This book occupies alone a special place on the designer’s bookshelf; it is truly a unique and lusciously written book that also benefits from being well-designed in its own right." — Will Evans, Principal, Experience Design, Twin Technologies

"The major strength of the book is its success in rendering theoretical content in an accessible way. The book delivers a healthy measure of critical thinking about the field of Interaction Design in a readable, conversational style." —Bill Lucas, MAYA Design

"Thoughts on Interaction Design became an instant classic. The 1,000 original bound copies of the book are treasured possessions of everyone lucky enough to have been able to purchase one." —Steve Baty, editor for Johnny Holland magazine, a contributor to UX Matters

"This book has an eloquent and clear way of communicating the context for interaction design both in theory and in application, outlining its relative place in business, academia, and in practice.” —Liz Danzico, Chair of the MFA in Interaction Design program at the School of Visual Arts

"MK author Jon Kolko talks with Jeff Parks of Radio Johnny about his recently re-released book Thoughts on Interaction Design!" http://johnnyholland.org/2010/02/01/radio-johnny-jon-kolkos-thoughts-on-interaction-design/.

From the Publisher