[IxDA Discuss] Differnce between user interface and interaction design?

[Bill Abel]

You know, no one seems to have mentioned that user interface design
typically refers to a graphic designer working on the visual design
of some sort of software-driven product.

And interaction design is concerned with the underlying design (the
system) of how a product works - even why it exists in the first
place. Interaction design requires the understanding of the user's
behavior, the user's mental model, etc... Interaction design is more
like product designer/industrial designer/architect in my mind, while
user interface is more like art direct/graphic designer/visual
designer.

An individual may actually perform both roles under either title, or
a completely different title.

But, the interaction design in my opinion is about how it works and
why, while interface is much more about aesthetics.

It's the interface designer who will make it pretty.

But, it's the interaction designer who understand that a 'pretty'
interface tested beside a 'dull' interface will always work better
in the minds of most people. It's the cognitive psychology element.

Interaction design goes beyond software, it includes pretty much
anything man-made.

Bill





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Posted from the new ixda.org
http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=25077