[IxDA Discuss] IxD is like.... the use of metaphor in application interface design

[Robert Barlow-Busch]

> nailing the right metaphor is as important
> if not 100x more so than choosing the right
> font/color/palette, front end platform.

So true. Here are two examples of this that illustrate the point, from my
experience.

In one example, our initial design concepts for an enterprise web
application were very much about exposing and supporting the *activities*
that people would perform. Think a typical task-based IA. However, after
reflecting upon early user research we realized that a better solution would
be to employ a strong *document* metaphor. Instead of helping people perform
activities, we helped them manage documents. As you might imagine, the UI
looked and behaved rather differently as a result.

Another project involved redesigning software used on a factory floor.
Historically, the UI looked like... well, like software, with typical lists
and checkboxes and radio buttons. It wasn't until we spent a day in the
factory with users that we managed to shake off the past and take on a new
perspective: our insight came from observing users spend 15 minutes
literally swinging a hammer, then strolling up to the computer and being
forced to work with a keyboard and mouse for perhaps 1 minute. It seemed
like such a disconnect, both mentally and physically. After that, we
redesigned around the metaphor of a "toolbox" -- and encouraged ourselves
not to design "software" anymore. Again, as you might imagine, the UI looked
and behaved quite differently as a result.

-- 
Robert Barlow-Busch
www.chopsticker.com