[ID Discuss] Interaction design == web design

[Reimann, Robert]

Ash asks,

> So, again I ask how exactly is IxD different to HF?  I understand that you
are saying the > approach is different - it comes from a design angle - but
what exactly does that mean?  > What kinds of things would be investigated,
using what kind of techniques?  How would 
> they be different to HF and are the end goals the same or different?

The difference between design methods and HF methods is
that design methods are typically generative and constructive,
whereas HF methods are typically analytical and reductive.  Both 
have their place in the design process.  HF methods are terrific 
for taking an artifact/system and rigorously analyzing its strengths 
and weaknesses based on theories deduced from empirical observation.

Design methods do not require an existing artifact/system to analyze
(not at first, anyway), and make use of visualization, narrative, and
empathic techniques to generate and execute models of experience
(concepts) based on previously identified principles and patterns 
that may have been arrived at by inspiration/analogy, trial and 
error, or iteration (and usually some combination of all three). 

Design works best as a top-down activity, with successive phases 
of conceptualization, analysis and refinement.  Designers tend to
be strong in concept-generation, and weaker in analysis.  HF folks
tend to be the opposite.  Thus the two methods and foci complement
each other delightfully.

	Robert.

-----Original Message-----
From: id at ourbrisbane.com [mailto:id at ourbrisbane.com] 
Sent: Monday, April 19, 2004 11:05 AM
To: Dave Heller
Cc: discuss-interactiondesigners.com at lists.interactiondesigners.com
Subject: Re: [ID Discuss] Interaction design == web design


Quoting Dave Heller <dave at interactiondesigners.com>:
> I would also add that there is also an historical difference.
> 
> HF/HCI are engineering based
> IxD is design based
> 
> basically this means that ixd considers the visceral & the aesthetic
> while hci is focused on the mechanical & the cognitive.
> 
> As molly said these are connected. I would add that each needs to 
> inform
> the other.

I agree.  I think I see where you are coming from here, and yes, HCI is
almost entirely cognitive (memory, recogition, processing, etc) and
mechanical (size of target, tracking, keystroke level GOMS, etc), but
everyone keeps equating Human Factors to HCI.  These are two completely
different fields.  HCI is a very narrow specialisation.  It concerns only
interaction with computers and treats humans in isolation, often
over-simplifying by equating them to a computer themselves (where the brain
= CPU and memory, eyes and ears = input, and hands and mouth = output), with
no regard for all the other factors/variables that influence/affect a person
as they interact with a system.  

There certainly is an element of engineering to HF, but I would argue that
there is a much stronger background in psychology.  HF came about as a
necessity during WW2 as pilot's cognitive abilities were being overtaken by
the complexity of the machinery they operated, leading to many needless
incidents and accidents.  Psychologists were called upon to investigate and
help re-design these systems.  

Modern HF looks at the design of any system from a holistic perspective -
analysing and accounting for factors such as: physical (bio-mechanics and
anthropometrics); environmental (lighting, noise, vibration); social (team
dynamics, cooperative workflows, organisational (managerial/peer)
influences); affective (visceral reactions, emotive impact); and cognitive
(memory, processing capacity, behavioural patterns).

So, again I ask how exactly is IxD different to HF?  I understand that you
are saying the approach is different - it comes from a design angle - but
what exactly does that mean?  What kinds of things would be investigated,
using what kind of techniques?  How would they be different to HF and are
the end goals the same or different?

Thanks for your patience.

Best regards,

Ash Donaldson
"It depends."
User Experience Designer