[IxDA Discuss] How to transition from technical writer tointeraction designer?

[Robert Barlow-Busch]

Technical communication to IxD is not an uncommon transition, but you'll need to pick up new skills along the way and invest some time developing them. I agree with previous remarks that courses are a viable alternative instead of returning to school. 

IMHO the best way to make this transition is to join an organization where you can support the design process directly -- in fact, participate in it -- by filling a role such as "design communicator" as coined by Cooper, I believe. This would allow you to essentially apprentice with experienced designers.

It's a logical transition: at some point, you're bound to get sick of describing how to work around poorly designed products and simply FIX them instead!

BBB