[IxDA Discuss] Top Ten IxD examples? What it takes

[David (Heller) Malouf]

> In fact, it brings up an interesting point. You seem to define
> interaction design as making technology useful to people in new and
> engaging and fun ways. I define it more as the design of the actual
> interactions involved in using the technology - the ways the
> technology is made usable by people to enable the fun.

I would say that they are both important. Great widgets inside of a poor
system doesn't really do anyone any good, and a great system without good
widgets is also not great design either. Though I would argue that the
latter stands a greater shot at success than the former. Just look at your
example: Email. People love e-mail for the most part despite some of the
flaws of its system and more importantly widget level design. The total
system though is a pretty cool thing and quite useful and engaging. (We're
using it now, no?)

- dave