[IxDA Discuss] Interaction design is design of time

[Oleh Kovalchuke]

On similarity between architecture and music:

Fundamentally the same but more direct comparison is that of a
photograph and a movie. In both cases time based storytelling informs
the experience (the point made by the architecture professor). The
difference is that for movies the time perception is more tightly
guided. When you compare graphic and interaction design the same
difference in degree of control of time perception applies.
Incidentally that is why storyboards are so important for both movie
directors and for interaction designers (the editor room is where the
movie "prototype" (dailies) gets its second usability test).

Your architecture professor was both right and wrong: on elementary
level human perception of both music and architecture incorporates
both time and space - all senses have both temporal and spatial
patterns, see "On Intelligence" by Hawkins for details.

Still Heidegger is on my reading list.
--
Oleh Kovalchuke


On 4/4/06, Mauro Cavalletti <mcavalletti at hotmail.com> wrote:
> Very interesting point of view. I am not sure if our goal is allways
>
> >to remove time fluff: excessive
> >clicks, scrolling, browsing, unnecessary screens
>
> but it definitely includes manipulating the sense of time and flow. Not
> sure, either, if there is any conflict between time and space in this
> context.
>
> It reminds me when I was in the architecture school and a professor claimed
> the "time component". He said that likewise music, architecture could not
> separate time from space. To me, this estatement makes even more sense in
> the digital environment.
>
> Mauro
>
>
> >From: "Oleh Kovalchuke" <tangospring at gmail.com>
> >To: discuss at lists.interactiondesigners.com
> >Subject: [IxDA Discuss] Interaction design is design of time
> >Date: Tue, 4 Apr 2006 14:43:58 -0600
> >
> >[Please voluntarily trim replies to include only relevant quoted material.]
> >
> >Talking about job interviews I have just had one for UI Designer job
> >where I think I have surprised interviewers when I have mentioned that
> >interaction design is time design (hence more interesting, complex
> >than visual design). Below is follow up email. Any feedback?
> >
> >----------------------------
> >Talking about time I wanted to clarify what I have meant by
> >interaction design being concerned primarily with time design (as
> >opposed with design of space).
> >
> >The goal of interaction design is to remove time fluff: excessive
> >clicks, scrolling, browsing, unnecessary screens - time-wasting
> >information/interaction (of course the important question here is who
> >decides which information is important (in a good process the
> >importance is filtered from future users)).
> >
> >Since time flow is subjective experience, the designer goal is to make
> >it seamless unless disruptions are required due to overriding safety
> >concerns.
> >
> >Another important caution: the processes should be optimized to fit
> >human nature (for instance it should support learning via exploration
> >of system boundaries), not to "ease of use" - a misnomer for usability
> >if there was one.
> >
> >--
> >Oleh Kovalchuke