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

[Peter Boersma]

Dave wrote:
> Personally, if I have to look for a title to express what I do as a
> generalist (which is what I am), I use User Experience Designer. I like
> Peter B's T model where the average person has to do a lot of things and
> know them broadly but should know 1 thing really well and deeply. Thus a T.

Thanks for the reference Dave (and for those that haven't seen the model, it's introduced here: http://www.peterboersma.com/blog/2004/11/t-model-big-ia-is-now-ux.html and expanded with a business layer here: http://www.peterboersma.com/blog/2005/03/shoulder-ia-t-model-extended-with.html).

As for what education a good interaction designer should have: I'd appreciate a study that approaches design as a structured process, preferably at a level where analytical skills are preferred over practical skills.

I must say I am pretty happy with my collection of courses from different faculties that happened to coincide with the bare-minimum requirements for a Masters Degree in Computer Science (CS) :-)
I combined courses such as Information System Design Methodology and Decision Support Systems (both Computer Science) with courses on Writing Computer User Documentation (Social Sciences), Knowledge Technology for Education (Educational Technology), Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Ergonomics, Ergonomics and Organizational Design (all Ergonomics), and Impact of Information Technology (Business Science).

A lot of the better freelance interaction designers I work with have an Industrial Design background, while others have studied interaction design at a school with a strong art department.

Peter
-- 
Peter Boersma | Senior Interaction Designer | Info.nl
http://www.peterboersma.com/blog | http://www.info.nl