[IxDA Discuss] Interaction design is design of time

[Oleh Kovalchuke]

Jeff Howard wrote:

> I don't think that the goal of interaction design is necessarily to remove time fluff. In some
> cases, efficiency might be prized. In others, not. In some cases, flow might be prized; other
> interactions are more cursory, or more considered. Wasn't Myst all about time fluff?

Not at all (although I agree with your assertion that "wasted time" in
the sense it is more frequently used is artificial and politically
charged category). The goal of Myst player is flow experience achieved
via exploration. If you where to disrupt that time flow with "To
proceed you need to install software module B" messages, now that
would be good example of time fluff to be cut.

As you can see there is no contradiction with what I have said:

> >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.

and

> I don't think you can discount "space" quite so easily either.
> Certainly not in physical interactions.

Indeed my senses keep informing me that space cannot be dismissed but
I would like to emphasize the fact that perception in general and that
of space in particular is temporal.

--
Oleh Kovalchuke



On 4/4/06, Jeff Howard <id at howardesign.com> wrote:
> [Please voluntarily trim replies to include only relevant quoted material.]
>
> > Oleh Kovalchuke said:
> > The goal of interaction design is to remove time fluff
>
> I don't think that the goal of interaction design is necessarily to remove time fluff. In some
> cases, efficiency might be prized. In others, not. In some cases, flow might be prized; other
> interactions are more cursory, or more considered. Wasn't Myst all about time fluff?
>
> Interactions take place in the realm of time, but they also take place in the realm of
> language, and color and form. I don't think you can discount "space" quite so easily either.
> Certainly not in physical interactions.
>
> > Dan Saffer said:
> > I wouldn't exactly say that it is the design of time, unless you are some sort
> > of divine entity. :)
>
> The book Einstein's Dreams offers some nice insight into how that might work...
>
> // jeff