[IxDA Discuss] What sets the 'best' interaction designers apart?

[Mark Schraad]

On Feb 2, 2007, at 12:36 PM, Bret Hekking wrote:

> In your experience, what qualities set the 'best' (defined as you  
> like)
> interaction designers apart?

The exact same criteria as for any other design role. How the person  
thinks. Can they walk around, pass through and hover over the problem  
in order to define it? How do they break down a problem and  
reassemble it? Interaction design is a specialty application of  
design thinking. When hiring any designer, especially for interaction  
I am absolutely not looking for a tactician. Should my architect be a  
master brick layer... hardly. The last thing I need is someone the  
specialized in code - that skill is readily found elsewhere. I need  
them to be able to understand the context and people.


> In hiring, what design exercises have you found effective in  
> identifying the
> 'best' interaction designers?

Not trying to be flip... but the answer is a conversation. If you can  
not conduct an interview without looking at a designers portfolio,  
then you should not be in the role of hiring. If the candidate can  
not communicate his thoughts on design they will likely fail as a  
designer.

I know that this is likely not the answer most designer want to hear.  
But if you want to work at the specialist level it is what you need  
to hear. If the job describes a detailed list of code that you need  
to be able to write... you should run (unless you are looking for an  
entry level or production job).

Mark