Re: [IxDA Discuss] What tools do you use for prototyping?
Robert wrote: There are also some good reasons not to use these tools. I would argue that the tools used for a task such as prototyping are pretty much irrelevant. As long as it gets the job done. Now, understanding what it will take to get the job done requires you understanding who the audience of that document is. It seems to me a lot of different things get called 'prototypes', right up to near specifications. Which is fine, but Robert highlights an issue with such a generic label for a document that can be for anything from a personal feasibility eval right up to a client presentation or something that might be handed off to implementation. As I said previously, the first and foremost part of prototyping for me is understanding the audience, producing the right level of detail required for that audience to interpret the design decisions captured withing. I chose to label some of these docs 'mockups', that suits my process. It would seem a worthwhile exercise to put a coversheet on your 'prototyping' to explain whether the doc is up for review or just a heads-up presentation level release. We put annotations on the elements within a prototype, why not annotate the entire thing with its purpose? In the past when I've called something a prototype in the wrong context I've set myself up for a world of mess when what I had was almost final. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://gamma.ixda.org/discuss?post=22050 *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] What tools do you use for prototyping?
Yes, I use it a lot. It can generate elaborate prototypes but you need to invest a bit of time to do so, thus, I tend to use it for small tools or modules vs. large projects since time is something in short supply. Sent from my iPhone On Nov 6, 2007, at 12:16 AM, Rony Philip [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Has anyone tried Axure RP as prototyping tool?. Couple of things that can help is developing a prototype: 1. Calculate in terms of budget and timeline. If the time and budget is less, why would anyone want to create and deliver a high fidelity prototype by spending a lot of time in visualizing the designs and coding?. A simple and neat paper or a PP file is good enough. 2. Depends on the stage or lifecycle the project is. I.e. During the initial data gathering process, one can use paper protototypes to think aloud the initial ideas. As the site structure gets finalized one can get into the page level architecture design by using PP, Visio, etc. After the page level architecture is iterated and signed off, the final graphic design can be created using Photoshop to create the definite page templates. The final prototype can be generated using HTML just before going off to the programers, so that they will have the fundamental design guidelines. Cheers Rony On 11/6/07, Mike Scarpiello [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hmm, this is all very strange. So someone wrote and entire book on it, we did it many times in grad school, buts it's not a prototyping tool? *Paper Prototyping: The Fast and Easy Way to Design and Refine User Interfaces (Interactive Technologies) * by Carolyn Snyder http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/104-4239408-2128720?%5Fencoding=UTF8search-type=ssindex=booksfield-author=Carolyn%20Snyder http://www.amazon.com/Paper-Prototyping-Interfaces-Interactive-Technologies/dp/1558608702/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-4239408-2128720?ie=UTF8s=booksqid=1194318540sr=8-1 *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Using color to identify content, or types of action, or both?
In my opinion, yellow doesn´t mean error for people. Maybe red does. You can check an expert opinion in Leatrice Eiseman books On Nov 3, 2007 7:56 PM, Ben Hayes [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I'm working on a web app that has a brand color palette with 6 bright, bold colors: - very dark blue/black - baby blue - magenta/pink - yellow - orange - lime green. The app needs to have a young, vibrant feel to it and I've been thinking about how to best use these colors. One way is to use the colors to color-code types of action. Right now I have the magenta to indicate 'action'. Green can mean 'save' or 'confirm' and yellow or orange can be used for error messages. But I'm also drawn to the idea of using the colors to identify types of content within the app. So, for instance, user contributed opinions might be orange; neutral, informational stuff might be light blue; stuff pulled from other external sites might be yellow. That kind of thing. I'm wondering if people have any experience or advice about how to approach setting up design patterns using color. What are the good ways to manage the potential conflicts between 'function color coding' and 'content color coding'? Are there any good resources out there on this? Another conflicting need, of course, is the need to make the page look nice and balanced, and reflect the brand. Sticking to a strict functional color scheme can make this difficult I think, because, for instance, many pages may end up with very few of the colors and lack balance. My usual approach is to use a much more conservative palette for most of the screen real-estate (maybe light, de-saturated blues/greys) and use colors sparingly. Then it becomes a little easier. But the bright, bold nature of this brand means I'm being asked to have areas of solid, bright color on the page, which seems tricky to me. P.S. The IXDA beta website is definitely coming along - looks promising. One usability gotcha right now is that, although you can reply to discussion threads via the website, there doesn't appear to be any mechanism for starting a new thread. Or at least I couldn't find it... *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help -- +++ Rafa López Callejón [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.libros-web.org http://www.nativos-digitales.net http://del.icio.us/rafalopez +++ *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Factors in converting from on-ground to online task accomplishment
Hi Ariel, 2 other important considerations missing in this discussion are 1) distance/proximity of the service 2) Energy/Money conserved by taking online path Please comment... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=21827 *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help
[IxDA Discuss] Do you change who you are for participants?
We ran a recent usability study and it was brought up in the post mortem that perhaps users would be more comfortable if they didn't know we were the designers. Not only 'more comfortable' and 'more honest' but also maybe less 'eager to please.' Have you ever slightly altered who you are in order to obtain more honest data from your users? I'm not talking about lying, but maybe being slightly misleading or vague as to what your role is with the company. Did you feel it was successful? Or do you think this is a pointless tactic? Thanks, Margaret *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Do you change who you are for participants?
Interesting question. I've never altered my stated role for the purpose of a test; I think it's because I've only run tests on systems that someone else designed. I can certainly see where it would be best to not reveal that information, or at least mitigate the potential for the outcome you describe. On this topic, however, I think it's important to emphasize to participants that their opinion is important - no matter what it is. Something like You can do or say no wrong today. You won't hurt my feelings, you won't waste anyone's time, and you won't cost the company any money. We're asking people what they think because we want to improve the product, and your honesty is critical to that process. Even with that, though, you'd be surprised how often users apologize for offering constructive criticism. Must have something to do with level 3 of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://gamma.ixda.org/discuss?post=22197 *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Do you change who you are for participants?
I'm a horrible liar (ask anyone who has ever bought a car or house from me), but I have omitted details from users during a test, if I had a hand in the design or development process. I prefer to avoid the situation altogether, but have had to do it in the past. I find it best to be very neutral and somewhat vague about the backend build process, but refer to the group as a nameless body of people who are extremely interested in making the system work better for whoever is using the application. I don't consider this changing who I am, since there are tons of things I don't tell people when I'm doing user research (I have a dog and 2 cats, both of which are irrelevant). Whether I helped in the design is irrelevant to the test participant, and to the research task at hand. As long as I can be objective about it, it doesn't typically come up. I have seen (and accidentally instigated, once or twice) cases where separating yourself from the design process for the participant has the opposite effect, wherein you get into an us vs them situation and you get too much negative bias - basically the participant starts railing against techies in order to please you. There's something a little surreal about a convo where you wind up talking about yourself in the third person - Well the designer had good intentions, now let's get back to this task... Bryan http://www.bryanminihan.com -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of margaret Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2007 12:37 AM To: 'IxDA Discuss' Subject: [IxDA Discuss] Do you change who you are for participants? We ran a recent usability study and it was brought up in the post mortem that perhaps users would be more comfortable if they didn't know we were the designers. Not only 'more comfortable' and 'more honest' but also maybe less 'eager to please.' Have you ever slightly altered who you are in order to obtain more honest data from your users? I'm not talking about lying, but maybe being slightly misleading or vague as to what your role is with the company. Did you feel it was successful? Or do you think this is a pointless tactic? Thanks, Margaret *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help
[IxDA Discuss] Call for Proposals - CHI 2008 Workshop: Optimizing Agile UCD (date extended)
(Posted on behalf of Desirée Sy) We have extended the date for acceptance of proposals for this workshop to November 9, 2007. Call for Proposals CHI 2008 Workshop: Optimizing Agile UCD Sat 5-April-2008, Florence, Italy Submissions deadline: 9-Nov-07Notification date: 28-Nov-07 Workshop website: http://agileucd.editme.com/ The goal of this workshop is to improve future Agile user‑centered design (UCD) experiences for User Experience (UX) practitioners (such as interaction designers, usability professionals, UI designers, etc.) by investigating best practices for Agile UCD. To achieve this, senior UX practitioners with prior experience on an Agile project will share their knowledge and example work, collaborating in order to: •Identify success factors for Agile UCD •Find and remove obstacles that block Agile UCD •Find opportunities that Agile projects give us •Identify best UX practices for Agile UCD •Identify UX skills that Agile projects need. This workshop is a full-day extension to the successful Informal SIG of the same name at CHI 2007. What we'd like to happen this year is a more in-depth walkthrough of some examples of best practices, based on a few key areas of interest identified prior to the conference by the participants. The results of this collaboration will be shared with the wider UX community (including those new to Agile development practices), but the participants should have experience in both UCD practices and Agile development. Detailed guidelines for proposals are at the workshop website ( http://agileucd.editme.com/cfpchi2008). Proposals should be no longer than 4 pages in length, and should be sent to Desirée Sy (desiree dot sy at autodesk dot com). Any questions about the workshop can also be sent to Desirée Sy. Participants will be notified by November 28th, and the topics for the workshop will be decided collectively by the group. - Organizers: Desirée Sy, Lynn Miller (Autodesk) *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Call for Proposals - CHI 2008 Workshop: Optimizing Agile UCD (date extended)
Interesting - I just sat all day yesterday through a Larry Constantine seminar on Agile and UCD where he almost wrote off the entire User Research, Persona development parts of Big Design Up Front - and focused almost completely on modeling activities/tasks using UML. I must say that quite a few things he presented in the seminar *really* rubbed me the wrong way -Will On Nov 6, 2007 9:14 AM, Lisa deBettencourt [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: (Posted on behalf of Desirée Sy) We have extended the date for acceptance of proposals for this workshop to November 9, 2007. Call for Proposals CHI 2008 Workshop: Optimizing Agile UCD Sat 5-April-2008, Florence, Italy Submissions deadline: 9-Nov-07Notification date: 28-Nov-07 Workshop website: http://agileucd.editme.com/ The goal of this workshop is to improve future Agile user‑centered design (UCD) experiences for User Experience (UX) practitioners (such as interaction designers, usability professionals, UI designers, etc.) by investigating best practices for Agile UCD. To achieve this, senior UX practitioners with prior experience on an Agile project will share their knowledge and example work, collaborating in order to: •Identify success factors for Agile UCD •Find and remove obstacles that block Agile UCD •Find opportunities that Agile projects give us •Identify best UX practices for Agile UCD •Identify UX skills that Agile projects need. This workshop is a full-day extension to the successful Informal SIG of the same name at CHI 2007. What we'd like to happen this year is a more in-depth walkthrough of some examples of best practices, based on a few key areas of interest identified prior to the conference by the participants. The results of this collaboration will be shared with the wider UX community (including those new to Agile development practices), but the participants should have experience in both UCD practices and Agile development. Detailed guidelines for proposals are at the workshop website ( http://agileucd.editme.com/cfpchi2008). Proposals should be no longer than 4 pages in length, and should be sent to Desirée Sy (desiree dot sy at autodesk dot com). Any questions about the workshop can also be sent to Desirée Sy. Participants will be notified by November 28th, and the topics for the workshop will be decided collectively by the group. - Organizers: Desirée Sy, Lynn Miller (Autodesk) *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help -- ~ will Where you innovate, how you innovate, and what you innovate are design problems --- will evans user experience architect [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] The Five Competencies of User Experience Design
I do not quite understand WHY Prototype Engineering is a competency. Should it not be Software Engineering - again a very broad term but referring to the technical/engineering aspect of the work. Here is my list titled The Core Competencies of a UX Professional 1. Communication Skills 2. Analytical Skills 3. Experience Design [includes Information Structuring, Interaction Design, Graphic Design, Usability, UI in case of software and other] 4. Business and Market Insights 5. People Skills I get the gist of where Steve Psomas is saying but he confuses the person and what the person does e.g. the designer and the design. They are very different entities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://gamma.ixda.org/discuss?post=22177 *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help
[IxDA Discuss] BLACKBAUD Job: Interaction Designer: Charleston, SC: Full Time
INTERACTION DESIGNER POSITION TYPE Mid level, non-supervisory DESCRIPTION A unique blend of artist and technology enthusiast, you have a passion for how interface and interaction design can help make the world a better place. Like our customers, you see the world as it can be and use your creative, analytical, and negotiation skills to drive toward elegant solutions that help our customers fulfill their non-profit missions. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES * Develop a deep understanding of our customers' business and individual needs by assisting in user research activities including persona creation, heuristic evaluation, and usability reviews * Work with business systems analysts to translate business requirements into highly useful and usable interfaces. * Communicate your ideas using prototypes, wireframes, interactive mock ups, or other work products that help others understand your intended design. * Diligently ensure that your design deliverables are well thought out, up to date, and communicated to the appropriate stakeholders. * Work collaboratively and flexibly with colleagues in developing prototypes and charting the flow of the customer experience * Articulate the pros and cons of designs and support choices with clear, detailed evidence and rationale for decisions * Champion user needs and continually strive to improve the usability of our products while understanding business and technical constraints * Synthesize findings from usability evaluations to suggest improvements to the software, and/or suggest ways to capitalize on design patterns that delight our customers * Establish good relationships with multiple product teams; use those relationships to ensure design consistency * Help foster an open, creative, and productive atmosphere EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, REQUIREMENTS * Ability to share a portfolio that demonstrates how you have designed systems that accommodate complex user and business requirements * Ability to create visually appealing interfaces that help users successfully achieve their goals * Commitment to researching and using technology to its fullest extent to benefit our customers and further their non-profit missions * Ability to synthesize research and requirements to create intuitive systems * Excellent negotiation, teamwork, presentation, and problem solving skills * Ability to identify and communicate the positive and negative aspects of designs and understand technological, time, and business trade-offs * Familiarity with usability engineering methodologies and user-centered design principles * Competency with design support tools such as Visio, Photoshop, Illustrator, Fireworks, HTML, Flash * Solid understanding of Windows design guidelines * A four year degree in graphic design, human computer interaction, human factors, industrial design or equivalent, combined experience * 2-7 years of experience designing applications EXPERIENCE IN 1 OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING AREAS STRONGLY DESIRED * Experience designing or developing ticketing solutions for the patron industry * Experience with content management systems (CMS), web-based products, and/or Software as a Service (SaaS) products * Experience with fundraising, eCRM, and/or email marketing * Solid understanding of Windows design guidelines Click here to view and apply http://career.pereless.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=75022.viewjobdetailCID =75022JID=35467BUID=523source=IxDA Blackbaud is the world's leading provider of software and related services specifically tailored to meet the needs of nonprofit organizations. Publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol BLKB, Blackbaud is a successful, growing company with more than 25 years of experience and annual revenue in excess of $192 million. The company, led by chief executive officer (and former Microsoft(r) executive) Marc Chardon, offers an integrated suite of nonprofit management applications built with Microsoft(r) technology and delivered by our professional services team. Headquartered in Charleston, SC, Blackbaud has a team of more than 1,400 talented employees across its three global locations in positions ranging from product development, consulting, sales, and marketing to customer support, human resources, and finance. Susan McGaha Corporate Recruiter - Human Resources ___ Blackbaud, Inc. 2000 Daniel Island Drive Charleston, SC 29492 Phone 843.216.6200, ext. 3537 | Fax 843.216.6101 [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] | www.blackbaud.com blocked::http://www.blackbaud.com/ *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today:
Re: [IxDA Discuss] IxD for 3D / Virtual Worlds: Looking for resources
Milan, Be sure to check out the Building Virtual Worlds class taught in the Entertainment Technology Center at CMU. http://www.etc.cmu.edu/bvw/index.html Jack L. Moffett Interaction Designer inmedius 412.459.0310 x219 http://www.inmedius.com When I am working on a problem, I never think about beauty. I think only of how to solve the problem. But when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong. - R. Buckminster Fuller *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] What tools do you use for prototyping?
Hello, I am working on a touchscreen interface for a manufacturing application. I sketched out on paper the various screens in rough detail, and now I can impress my friends and neighbors by calling it a 'paper prototype.' I work for a small company, so my paper prototype is primarily a development tool and not a means of measuring usability. In my context, I perceive that users give better feedback if the prototype is a closer approximation of the real thing. I AM prototyping the touchscreen buttons along with 'click' behavior to get some user feedback. The actual touchscreen arrives today...fun fun. :) Btw, I'm new to the list - looks like a really good community. Billy Cox Old World Spices [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of pauric Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2007 3:49 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [QUAR] Re: [IxDA Discuss] What tools do you use for prototyping? Robert wrote: There are also some good reasons not to use these tools. I would argue that the tools used for a task such as prototyping are pretty much irrelevant. As long as it gets the job done. Now, understanding what it will take to get the job done requires you understanding who the audience of that document is. It seems to me a lot of different things get called 'prototypes', right up to near specifications. Which is fine, but Robert highlights an issue with such a generic label for a document that can be for anything from a personal feasibility eval right up to a client presentation or something that might be handed off to implementation. As I said previously, the first and foremost part of prototyping for me is understanding the audience, producing the right level of detail required for that audience to interpret the design decisions captured withing. I chose to label some of these docs 'mockups', that suits my process. It would seem a worthwhile exercise to put a coversheet on your 'prototyping' to explain whether the doc is up for review or just a heads-up presentation level release. We put annotations on the elements within a prototype, why not annotate the entire thing with its purpose? In the past when I've called something a prototype in the wrong context I've set myself up for a world of mess when what I had was almost final. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://gamma.ixda.org/discuss?post=22050 *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] What tools do you use for prototyping?
Welcome to the list, Billy! In my context, I perceive that users give better feedback if the prototype is a closer approximation of the real thing. That may be true. In other contexts, users may not give as much feedback about a polished design/prototype due to the fact that it already seems finished, and therefore not easily changed. When it's just a drawing, the possibilities are endless. Jack Jack L. Moffett Interaction Designer inmedius 412.459.0310 x219 http://www.inmedius.com You could design a process to catch everything, but then you're overprocessing. You kill creativity. You kill productivity. By definition, a culture like ours that drives innovation is managed chaos. -Alex Lee President, OXO International *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] What tools do you use for prototyping?
On 6 Nov 2007, at 16:37, Andrei Herasimchuk wrote: On Nov 6, 2007, at 8:06 AM, Jack Moffett wrote: That may be true. In other contexts, users may not give as much feedback about a polished design/prototype due to the fact that it already seems finished, and therefore not easily changed. When it's just a drawing, the possibilities are endless. I completely disagree with this. I have never had the experience of ever getting less feedback with true prototypes. I have no idea why this point comes up. [snip] Well it happens with me all the time. It's been my experience that folk are much more willing to criticise the big picture issues when dealing with rough paper sketches than they are when dealing with a polished high-res system. As ever YMMV. Cheers, Adrian *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] What tools do you use for prototyping?
I respectfully disagree Andrei, and I know that I am not alone. We all understand your beliefs, but you are phrasing them as an edict. You candecide this for yourself, or even your own company, but not for the profession or the industry. Sorry. Mark On Tuesday, November 06, 2007, at 12:51PM, Andrei Herasimchuk [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Nov 5, 2007, at 7:47 PM, Mike Scarpiello wrote: Hmm, this is all very strange. So someone wrote and entire book on it, we did it many times in grad school, buts it's not a prototyping tool? I'll say it again. Paper is *NOT* a prototyping tool. I don't care what you've been taught or who's written a book where their sales rely on a title to claim otherwise. Paper is a design tool. If you attempt to show others who are not designers the paper prototype, the kind of feedback you will get versus showing them a real prototype is vastly inferior to make final design decisions. Think of it this way: If you saw a drawing of the Volkswagen Beetle back in 1995 you'd think it was pretty cool and some opinions. But when you went to the car show and saw a real live concept car fully built and can even sit inside it, you can provide all sorts of feedback never possible from seeing a simple drawing. I'm not sure why this point would be particularly controversial. Paper is a design tool. I use it all the time... to DESIGN. I find showing end users, product managers or CEOs a paper drawing to be of nominal value, and only at the up front stages of the design process. When the rubber hits the road, you simply have to build a real prototype if you want t make good design decisions. *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] What tools do you use for prototyping?
Hi everyone, I shifted the Paper is not a prototyping tool discussion to its own thread to avoid derailing Todd's thread. http://www.ixda.org/discuss.php?post=22174 To get back on track, Todd is asking what prototyping tools are in your toolbox? // jeff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=22050 *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help
[IxDA Discuss] JOB: Mid Level Web programmer/developer needed IMMEDIATELY, San Ramon, Artisan Creative (Temp short
We need you NOW! Innovative and cool Bay Area Interactive firm that focuses on User-centered design has an immediate need for a Mid level Web programmer/developer. The following skills are required for this position: * High proficiency in .NET architecture * Code skills in VB * Strong SQL Server interface experience * Good XML/XSL transformation experience * XSLT experience * Ektron CMS400 and HTML/CSS Layout a definite plus, but not required. Interested candidates should submit their resumes, hourly rate and samples immediately to [EMAIL PROTECTED] LOCALS ONLY Thanks! Dixie Dixie Boley Creative Recruiter www.artisancreative.com Artisan Creative is the premier source for creative talent in California. We specialize in temporary staffing, full time placement and project management. *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Do you change who you are for participants?
On Nov 6, 2007 10:37 AM, Katie Albers [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This is the part that surprises me...why are you telling the users who you are at all? It helps to have your first name, to increase their comfort, but beyond that, you're just someone doing research to figure out whether the application being developed is any good -- and I phrase it just like that. Because users tend to assume that the person testing is the designer? At least in my experience. I've moderated tests and in some cases sat in (where the user could see me) while someone else moderated, and in both situations it's pretty common for users to ask if the moderator designed the product, or if the moderator works for our company, what they do, etc.We do mostly quick and dirty in-house testing in our company office, but I have also heard users ask this of moderators when at offsite professional testing facilities. I prefer to state clearly that I didn't design this, so feel free to provide any and all comments or feedback, positive or negative. There is always room for improvement and every bit of feedback from you and other testers helps to improve the product. Not worth the risk that someone is secretly afraid they'll offend me or the moderator and holds back. Cindy -- http://www.cindyalvarez.com *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] People who really OUGHT to have done user testing
My pet hate with design that has clearly had no user testing is the new pedestrian crossing signals in the UK. Jeremy Keith phrases it better than I can at http://adactio.com/journal/1154/ *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Do you change who you are for participants?
I don't alter myself or role, but a key is how to position the test itself. I stress the fact that my goal is to make the best possible product/experience/interface for them, and their opinions are crucial. I stress that they will not hurt my feelings and when applicable, that it is not my work. To be quite honest, when I tell subjects it isn't my work you can physically see them relax slightly. The best method for me generally is to reiterate that I'm there to make something better. I try to avoid the word test since no matter how many times you say you're testing the system/interface, people always get a bit anxious. If you paint it in the positive light of you need their help to improve, people are generally more suggestive and don't view it as criticism. When possible, I think it wise not to have the designer be the test facilitator. I've run some tests where inexperienced designers have been present and actually start discussing the design rationale with the subject or defending their decisions. Even if they don't verbally interject into the test, their non-verbal reactions affect the test and subject. I wince whenever it's mandated or asked for the designer to sit-in as I know my results will be pretty much useless. Good luck! Erin *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] What tools do you use for prototyping?
I used a 10 bandsaw, Orbital belt sander and sometimes a drill press, e.g. http://tinyurl.com/2w86gp for some things http://tinyurl.com/2ula9h . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://gamma.ixda.org/discuss?post=22050 *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help
[IxDA Discuss] [EVENT] Reminder: IxDA Boston presents Steve Mulder: A Persona Workshop
IxDA Boston is pleased to present Steve Mulder: A Persona Workshop Tuesday, November 13th, 2007 at 7:00PM (6:30 for socializing and snacks) Location : Molecular http://www.molecular.com 343 Arsenal Street Watertown, MA 02472 map it!http://maps.google.com/maps?f=qhl=engeocode=time=date=ttype=q=343+Arsenal+Street+watertown,+masll=42.644562,-71.31222sspn=0.00936,0.017509ie=UTF8z=16iwloc=addrom=1 We are thrilled to announce that Steve Mulder, Author of *The User Is Always Right: A Practical Guide to Creating and Using Personas for the Web*http://www.amazon.com/User-Always-Right-Practical-Creating/dp/0321434536/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-2764918-1876013?ie=UTF8s=booksqid=1192461820sr=8-1, will be facilitating a condensed version of his Personas Workshop: The User Is Always Right: Making Personas Work for Your Site. Seating will be limited! Please RSVP to reserve your seat. More info at: http://going.com/IxDABoston13Nov Cheers! ~Lisa deBettencourt IxDA Boston *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] [EVENT] Reminder: IxDA Boston presents Steve Mulder: A Persona Workshop
http://boston.going.com/IxDABostonPersonas with update image On Nov 6, 2007 3:46 PM, Lisa deBettencourt [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: IxDA Boston is pleased to present Steve Mulder: A Persona Workshop Tuesday, November 13th, 2007 at 7:00PM (6:30 for socializing and snacks) Location : Molecular http://www.molecular.com 343 Arsenal Street Watertown, MA 02472 map it! http://maps.google.com/maps?f=qhl=engeocode=time=date=ttype=q=343+Arsenal+Street+watertown,+masll=42.644562,-71.31222sspn=0.00936,0.017509ie=UTF8z=16iwloc=addrom=1 We are thrilled to announce that Steve Mulder, Author of *The User Is Always Right: A Practical Guide to Creating and Using Personas for the Web* http://www.amazon.com/User-Always-Right-Practical-Creating/dp/0321434536/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-2764918-1876013?ie=UTF8s=booksqid=1192461820sr=8-1 , will be facilitating a condensed version of his Personas Workshop: The User Is Always Right: Making Personas Work for Your Site. Seating will be limited! Please RSVP to reserve your seat. More info at: http://going.com/IxDABoston13Nov Cheers! ~Lisa deBettencourt IxDA Boston *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help -- ~ will Where you innovate, how you innovate, and what you innovate are design problems --- will evans user experience architect [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
[IxDA Discuss] Seattle Monthly Meetup at the World Usability Day event (11/8)
Hey Seattleites, our November monthly meetup will take place at the World Usability Day event on the University of Washington campus: http://www.worldusabilityday.org/event/show/277 What: World Usability Day Seattle 2007 When: 5-11pm, November 8th, 2007 (3-5pm - usability lab tours) Where: 4098 15th Ave NE Electrical Engineering Building, Room 125 University of Washington Seattle, WA, 98195 Join us in raising awareness of usability around the world in the second annual World Usability Day Seattle. This year the event has grown to include usability lab tours, a networking event, lectures, and a social at the end of the event. All events will be held in the Electrical Engineering Building (EEB) in room 125 unless otherwise specified. Tours of the usability lab are first come first serve and are limited to 10 people per tour. If you wish to take a lab tour please RSVP via Eventbrite on this page: http://www.worldusabilityday.org/event/show/277 *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Mobile phones usability research - Advices on video recording
Interesting Barbara, I saw your slides and son I was looking for Elmo cameras :-) As you have tried them, Can you say that the cameras are able to capture the mobile screen in details, with good quality? Thanks. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Barbara Ballard Sent: 06 November 2007 21:47 To: Miguel Cc: IxDA Discuss Subject: Re: [IxDA Discuss] Mobile phones usability research - Advices on video recording On 11/6/07, Miguel [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I am going to run a usability research on the BlackBerry Curve, for which I want to video record the device screen for a later detailed analysis. I got a couple of camcorders, cheap camcorders, to discover that the resolution they offer is so poor that they are of no value for this research. For our clients, we use a sled with three cameras attached: face, screen, and keypad. These are tiny security cameras with different lenses on them. We run the three cameras, plus a wideshot camera, into a portable quad mixer (targeted at the security folks, again, but works fine for us). We then record the four images. Synchronization is very difficult. My photo specialist explained it to me once, and I don't have it fully integrated. The explanation included the fact that different cameras run at slightly different speeds, causing mismatches to accumulate. I've got a presentation up on slideshare on usability testing, it includes some pictures of different setups. http://www.slideshare.net/barbaraballard/mobile-usability-testing -- Barbara Ballard [EMAIL PROTECTED] 1-785-838-3003 *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Mobile phones usability research - Advices on videorecording
Thanks Peter, I will write to those guys, Noldus, to enquire for price and delivery. While searching for more information, I came through some other interesting links. http://www.tracksys.co.uk/product-details.php?id=9 http://www.ux-design.net/tracksys.php Any other comment, advice, thought. is very welcome. Miguel Gonzalez. From: Peter Boersma [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 06 November 2007 23:03 To: Miguel Subject: RE: [IxDA Discuss] Mobile phones usability research - Advices on videorecording Miguel, Apart from using a good quality camcorder, do you guys have any other advice on how to set up a test that requires video recording of a small screen? If there is time to have it delivered, you could consider ordering this: http://www.noldus.com/site/doc200402054 Peter *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] What tools do you use for prototyping?
On Nov 6, 2007, at 9:59 AM, Mark Schraad wrote: I respectfully disagree Andrei, and I know that I am not alone. We all understand your beliefs, but you are phrasing them as an edict. You can decide this for yourself, or even your own company, but not for the profession or the industry. Sorry. That's all fine and good, but the opposite holds true as well, right? In other words, if I'm not allowed to make edicts that paper is not prototyping, then who are you or anyone else on this list to say to say that paper is indeed legitimate prototyping? Or to make such claims to the industry and sets those types of expectations with clients or non-designer types? And then we go down the road of it depends, it's all personal opinion, etc., at which point, discussing anything seems irrelevant, don't you think? At the end of the day, I'll make this prediction: In the very near future (let's say within ten years), those designers in the high technology field that don't increase their skill set to create more robust prototypes with their own hands will fall by the wayside as those designers that do start to overtake the field. Then obviously it won't matter who has what opinion. -- Andrei Herasimchuk Principal, Involution Studios innovating the digital world e. [EMAIL PROTECTED] c. +1 408 306 6422 *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
[IxDA Discuss] RobotReplay...anyone used them before?
Anyone used a service called RobotReplay before? Seems to be a site activity tracking tool of some sort. Very clever, from what I saw of the 3 minute demo. Here's the link. http://www.robotreplay.com/ *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] What tools do you use for prototyping?
On Nov 6, 2007, at 9:59 AM, Mark Schraad wrote: I respectfully disagree Andrei, and I know that I am not alone. We all understand your beliefs, but you are phrasing them as an edict. You can decide this for yourself, or even your own company, but not for the profession or the industry. Sorry. On Nov 6, 2007, at 7:04 PM, Andrei Herasimchuk wrote: That's all fine and good, but the opposite holds true as well, right? In other words, if I'm not allowed to make edicts that paper is not prototyping, then who are you or anyone else on this list to say to say that paper is indeed legitimate prototyping? Or to make such claims to the industry and sets those types of expectations with clients or non-designer types? Well unless you think I am either a moron or a hypocrite, then it would stand to reason that I believe this to be point of view, not of fact. So effectively what you have stated here is something along the lines of, no I'm not, you are. I guess I expect more from someone as experienced and seasoned as you. And then we go down the road of it depends, it's all personal opinion, etc., at which point, discussing anything seems irrelevant, don't you think? At the end of the day, I'll make this prediction: In the very near future (let's say within ten years), those designers in the high technology field that don't increase their skill set to create more robust prototypes with their own hands will fall by the wayside as those designers that do start to overtake the field. I will make a prediction as well. Most every aspect of what we do will change radically in the next ten years. Andrei, while you are occasionally misinformed, I anticipate a more guiding voice from you - and you often deliver. It was your demonstrative and absolute tone, as well as the repeated message (as if no one heard you) that triggered my comment. I have used paper prototypes with great results. There is a time for them, and a time for other types of prototypes. Various teams I have assembled have used flash, html, css and javascript for more than ten years (yes each and all of these for that long). Sometime a bit of IMHO goes a long ways. Most of us, given an opinion can come to our own conclusion. Then obviously it won't matter who has what opinion. I beg to differ. Opinions matter a great deal when leadership is of issue. Mark *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] What tools do you use for prototyping?
On Nov 5, 2007, at 3:52 PM, Andrei Herasimchuk wrote: On Nov 4, 2007, at 6:39 PM, KS Wang wrote: Paper! ... Good for drafting out, materialising and visualising the ideas I have in mind, before moving on the the standards like Visio, Omni Graffe Paper is not a prototyping tool. It's a design tool. It's a sketching tool. It's a way to get ideas directly from one's brain into the world with as little information loss as possible. But it's not a prototyping tool. Paper prototyping is nothing more than iterative design to help people get the ball rolling and to keep things at a level of manageable, inexpensive and iterative before getting to brass tacks with real, pixel precise mockups and a true product prototype. Andrei, How would you define a prototype? Would you see prototyping as a design tool, or something else? How does iterative design relate to prototyping? Cheers! Todd Zaki Warfel President, Design Researcher Messagefirst | Designing Information. Beautifully. -- Contact Info Voice: (215) 825-7423 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] AIM:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Blog: http://toddwarfel.com -- In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not. *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] What tools do you use for prototyping?
On Nov 6, 2007, at 2:09 PM, Matthew Nish-Lapidus wrote: That being said, paper is a valuable design tool and can be used to great advantage. But if what you need is a true interaction prototype then you need an interactive medium. That's an interesting concept. Using an interactive medium to prototype or simulate interactivity. I've taught a number of paper prototyping workshops, teaching another next year at the IxDA conference, and can assure you that you can create interactive paper prototypes. In fact, we have a great audio player that is interactive, albeit w/some assistance from a moderator. But the scrubber moves along when someone pushes the play button and we can even rewind and fast forward. Ask anyone who's taken the workshop, or come and find out for yourself. Paper prototypes can be interactive, if you know what you're doing and know how. Cheers! Todd Zaki Warfel President, Design Researcher Messagefirst | Designing Information. Beautifully. -- Contact Info Voice: (215) 825-7423 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] AIM:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Blog: http://toddwarfel.com -- In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not. *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Do you change who you are for participants?
Hi Margaret. I've been doing user research in South East Asia, and I've experienced exactly what you've described. Some users feel more comfortable and free to express their honest opinions in cases where we tell them we did not design the prototype. But it isn't true for all users. Some users are blunt and say how they really feel no matter what. Others deliberate and construct their responses in a coherent manner. There are those who sing praises of an interface, but they speak of how other people would love using this, not themselves. Then there are those who withhold their negative comments or, worse, say what they don't mean just to avoid hurting our feelings (because they know we designed it). I think culture plays a part, but it varies from individual to individual too. At times, the knowledge that we are the designers isn't always the cause. I believe, for some people, the research activity itself evokes this kind of eager to please behaviour as well (e.g. if we're doing a usability test, some users tend to give positive responses so that they would pass the test). Personally, I take the honest approach. If I designed it, that's what I tell them. I think it all boils down to how well we manage to: - put users at ease and make them feel safe - make them feel that their honest feedback is wanted and appreciated - inform them of how their honest feedback would impact the design - thank them for their honest feedback - probe further if we sense what they're saying is not what they really mean To summarise: I think who you are and how you're related to the prototype shouldn't matter if you are able to put users at ease and illicit honest responses from them. Lying or being deliberately vague would work in some cases, but might backfire in the end. Thanks. Tim.. *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] What tools do you use for prototyping?
In the company I work for we prototype most of the interfaces in Flash. However, we are trying to switch from Flash to a combination of Evas and Edje. Besides being open source, these tools allows us to develop prototypes that can be easily modified and used in the final product because the code generated for the interface layout and basic interactions (button, slides and etc) are already compatible with our final product development tools. Btw: I'm also new to the list and I want say it has been a very productive and enjoyable lecture. And before I forget, you can find more information about Evas and Edje on http://enlightenment.org.au/Libraries/Edje/ . Miguel Peres Nokia Institute of Technology *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] What tools do you use for prototyping?
At 8:15 PM -0500 11/6/07, Todd Zaki Warfel wrote: On Nov 5, 2007, at 3:52 PM, Andrei Herasimchuk wrote: The fact that Visio seems to be a legitimate tool in the field just makes me want to cry. I mean, would you create a scale model if you were building the original iPod out of PlayDough to show to the guy who signs the checks what the design will be? Or Legos for that matter? I don't personally consider Visio a legitimate tool for design or prototyping, except that since it has such deep penetration in the field it cannot, IMHO, be ignored. I for one am looking forward to the day when it falls by the wayside. I think Visio is an excellent tool for creating boxes in different shapes...but the sooner it disappears the happier I'll be. Everyone seems to want people who are expert in its use...and in every case I've seen the design or prototyping it's being used for would be better served by any number of other tools. Katie -- Katie Albers [EMAIL PROTECTED] *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] What tools do you use for prototyping?
Just for my information, what is that most people dislike Visio so much? • Raminder Oberoi www.retheory.com On Nov 6, 2007, at 8:45 PM, Katie Albers [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: At 8:15 PM -0500 11/6/07, Todd Zaki Warfel wrote: On Nov 5, 2007, at 3:52 PM, Andrei Herasimchuk wrote: The fact that Visio seems to be a legitimate tool in the field just makes me want to cry. I mean, would you create a scale model if you were building the original iPod out of PlayDough to show to the guy who signs the checks what the design will be? Or Legos for that matter? I don't personally consider Visio a legitimate tool for design or prototyping, except that since it has such deep penetration in the field it cannot, IMHO, be ignored. I for one am looking forward to the day when it falls by the wayside. I think Visio is an excellent tool for creating boxes in different shapes...but the sooner it disappears the happier I'll be. Everyone seems to want people who are expert in its use...and in every case I've seen the design or prototyping it's being used for would be better served by any number of other tools. Katie -- Katie Albers [EMAIL PROTECTED] *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Do you change who you are for participants?
Hi All, I work in a globl environment and most of my projects are global in nature. That means the applications / websites etc get used across the major regions which are Amercas, Europe Middles East and finally Asia Pacific. The way we do usability testing is that the test administrators/moderators are rarely the designers. We feel that there would be some bias of some sort ( there is quite a bit of research to support this also) unintentionally if the testing is done by the designers themselves. However, there are circumstance, where we had no choice because of the number. of projects going on that the test moderators were the people responsible for the design. But even in those circumstance, which tend to be rare, we have a structured process, whereby we use standard scripts for responses so that the bias does not creep it. The test plans and moderation results are also reviewed by others to remove any bias questions or related materials. So the designers are not allowed to identify themselves as designers but as test moderators. They adopt the role they are playing and read of the script. We keep this theme across all testing so that over time, everyone understands that testing and the design is diifferent process and the purpose is different. We also communicate the purpose of usability testing in ever test sessions and make sure they understand it is about improving the user expereince and not about testing the users. This is our process and we continue to tweak the process to better align to our organizations and the environment we work in. Hope this helps. Regards, Jay Kumar On 11/6/07, margaret [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: We ran a recent usability study and it was brought up in the post mortem that perhaps users would be more comfortable if they didn't know we were the designers. Not only 'more comfortable' and 'more honest' but also maybe less 'eager to please.' Have you ever slightly altered who you are in order to obtain more honest data from your users? I'm not talking about lying, but maybe being slightly misleading or vague as to what your role is with the company. Did you feel it was successful? Or do you think this is a pointless tactic? Thanks, Margaret *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://gamma.ixda.org/help *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] What tools do you use for prototyping?
Quote from DUX2007 today. Always paper first. Always. Paper before Pixel. Mark Baskinger Faculty, Quality of Life Technology, Carnegie Mellon Robotics, University of Pittsburgh Presentation: Experientializing Home Appliances to Empower the Aging Population for Autonomous Living *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Do you change who you are for participants?
All I tell them is that I work for the company. I never explain my role. -Mike *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] IxD for 3D / Virtual Worlds: Looking for resources
Hi Milan, Here at http://www.topicscape.com we've been selling 3D business software - an information organizer and a To Do list tasks manager - for about 18 months now. These work in 3D landscapes to help the user take in much more information at one time and use quick zooming and flying as well as more traditional search. We are continuously and vigorously refining the UI based on internal use and user feedback. Whether that would count as a virtual world of the type you have in mind, I don't know, but if it does, I'd be happy to exchange thought, experience and ideas. Have a look at our products at the site and contact me if you're interested. Roy r.g at topicscape dot com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://gamma.ixda.org/discuss?post=22203 *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] What tools do you use for prototyping?
I AM prototyping the touchscreen buttons along with 'click' behavior to get some user feedback. The actual touchscreen arrives today...fun fun. :) Hi Billy, welcome! We recently developed a touch screen kiosk here at Behavior, and it was great fun. One of the interesting things we learned is that since the iPhone came out, people are starting to expect far more rich interactions from touch screens than they used to. Read for more: http://tinyurl.com/2n93em http://www.graphpaper.com/2007/10-31_georges-seurat-dot-com Cheers, -Cf Christopher Fahey Behavior biz: http://www.behaviordesign.com me: http://www.graphpaper.com *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
[IxDA Discuss] HTML Prototypers
What editor do you use? *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
