[IxDA Discuss] "Design" in Interaction Design?

[Katie Albers]

At 4:11 PM -0500 12/20/07, Rich Rogan wrote:
>Just curious on how many people don't think being good at "Design", (given
>you're designing in an IxD space), isn't the single most important skill
>needed to be a successful Interaction Designer?



Here's the Random House definition of "design" (courtesy of Dictionary.com)

de·sign      [di-zahyn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
-verb (used with object) 1.	to prepare the 
preliminary sketch or the plans for (a work to be 
executed), esp. to plan the form and structure 
of: to design a new bridge.
2.	to plan and fashion artistically or skillfully.
3.	to intend for a definite purpose: a 
scholarship designed for foreign students.
4.	to form or conceive in the mind; 
contrive; plan: The prisoner designed an 
intricate escape.
5.	to assign in thought or intention; purpose: He designed to be a doctor.
6.	Obsolete. to mark out, as by a sign; indicate.

-verb (used without object) 7.	to make drawings, 
preliminary sketches, or plans.
8.	to plan and fashion the form and 
structure of an object, work of art, decorative 
scheme, etc.

-noun 9.	an outline, sketch, or plan, as 
of the form and structure of a work of art, an 
edifice, or a machine to be executed or 
constructed.
10.	organization or structure of formal 
elements in a work of art; composition.
11.	the combination of details or features of 
a picture, building, etc.; the pattern or motif 
of artistic work: the design on a bracelet.
12.	the art of designing: a school of design.
13.	a plan or project: a design for a new process.
14.	a plot or intrigue, esp. an underhand, 
deceitful, or treacherous one: His political 
rivals formulated a design to unseat him.
15.	designs, a hostile or aggressive project 
or scheme having evil or selfish motives: He had 
designs on his partner's stock.
16.	intention; purpose; end.
17.	adaptation of means to a preconceived end.

[Origin: 1350-1400; ME designen < L désigna¯re to mark out. See de-, sign]

-Synonyms 5. See intend. 13. See plan.Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006

So, the question is: What do you mean by "design"?

Katie

P.S.  Apologies to all those of you who are now 
beating your screens and screaming "Not this 
question again!"
-- 

----------------
Katie Albers
katie at firstthought.com