Interactive Design

Interactive deisgn is purely about the user. It is about the users ability to have control over technology and what they want to do with technology and making the best possible use over the two-way communication that has developed as a result of Web 2.0.

When picking this subject, aptly named Interactive Design, I was rather worried as I have no knowledge of how to use Flash. But in terms of understanding how interactive design I feel as though I have a much better grasp on how interactions work. interaction design gives the user the ability to choose and make decisions as seen in the flowchart, that I will soon post.

In the video by Bill Verplank, which can be found under Design Links, I think he makes the concept of interaction design perfectly clear. He sums up beautifully and simply that interaction design is about considering how does the user do, know and feel? I find one of the most exciting things about design is that we have to consider how the user feels by tapping into what and how they control the interactive that they are confronted with.

The empowering of the user is paramount. It is about decision and response by the user. If the interactive responds poorlythen the user will get bored, confused or frustrated. We as designers need to make it clean and simple enough for the user. I believe that if you need to read a manual to use it it must be badly designed.

To sum up, Linda Leung, which can be found under Design Links, explains that we must be both 'a user and a learner' in order to create effective interactive design.