[IxDA Discuss] interaction design & graphic design

[Sarah Bloomer]

Simon --

My advice is to avoid using words (explanations) and show (demonstrate)
the benefits. You can do this without Photoshop. 

There are some simple techniques that you can use to demonstrate the
value of interaction design, and from there you can work on the graphic
design/visual treatment. Start with interaction design, and then tackle
graphic design. 

For example, you can write Activity Scenarios which are stories that put
a user type / persona through the act of using your application.
Sometimes I will write one of these and illustrate it with the existing
screens to show how difficult it is to use. I try to write these so that
the interaction design is NOT described, just the user experience. 

Then I will do a redesign using wireframes or paper prototypes (all you
need to do interaction design) and then illustrate the same scenario
with the new design.  Usually the story is powerful and concrete enough
to show the value. 

If you have established some user goals, usability goals, business goals
etc. then you can show how the current design may fall short of these
goals, and how your new design tries to address them. 

It sounds like you may not have access to actual users, so you'll have
to do your best to learn about the target users in order to develop a
realistic activity scenario. This could also convince your employers to
give you access to end users. 

Later you can demonstrate how graphic design can further enhance the
user experience and usability of the application. 

That's how I might tackle it. Forget about Photoshop for the short term.
Do some interaction design. Then show how graphic design can further
enhance the design.

Sarah

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 
Sarah Bloomer, Senior Usability Specialist
The MathWorks
3 Apple Hill Drive
Natick, Massachusetts 01760
USA

e. sbloomer at mathworks.com
p. +508-647-7147
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

-----Original Message-----
From: discuss-bounces at lists.interactiondesigners.com
[mailto:discuss-bounces at lists.interactiondesigners.com] On Behalf Of
Simon Asselbergs
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2006 2:53 AM
To: discuss at ixda.org
Subject: [IxDA Discuss] interaction design & graphic design

[Please voluntarily trim replies to include only relevant quoted
material.]

Hi All,

I work at a company where I am the first Interaction Designer they've
ever had. And this company doesn't want me to touch the surface of the
graphic design of user interfaces. They are new to interaction design
and I feel I have to explain them a lot about my expertise. But they
seem not so open to discuss my part of interface design. They seem not
be able to understand how the graphic part of interface design and
usability are intertwined. So no Photoshop. 

I feel a little uneasy in explaining them how these are intertwined, it
feels almost to much too explain. How would you explain the difference
between graphic design in general and graphic design related to
designing user interfaces from a interaction design point of view? How
would you explain the importance of the latter? Has anyone has
experienced similar situations?

Thanks in advance,

Simon

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