Tim Wood reviews practical drawing and sketchbook techniques that can serve as a cornerstone to the interaction design process. The concept of ‘drawing as problem solving’ will be introduced through case studies and real-world interaction design that demonstrate the efficiencies to be gained through the use of these techniques [...]

In this talk, Peter Morvile defines a pattern language for search that embraces user psychology and behavior, multisensory interaction, and emerging technology [...]

We can no longer ask users to think like machines just to be able to use software. This talk explores diverse areas of non-digital human experience – including language and theater, neurology and sociology – in order to frame and showcase some of the most exciting current and emerging user experience design practices, both on the web and in other media such as video games and the arts. The objective is quite simply to inspire designers to humanize their interfaces [...]

Drawing on improvised models from urban planning to jazz, Liz Danzico investigates improvisation at work and illustrate directions interactions designers might take in understanding how frameworks take hold [...]

Want to do design research cheaply and efficiently with participants anywhere in the world? (Of course.) Want to observe real users in their native technology environments, from the comfort of your own desk? (Who doesn’t?) But what software and hardware do you need, and will it actually work?Bolt|Peters’ Cyd Harrell covers the most powerful tools for un-moderated conceptual research, remote screen observation, participant communication, observer involvement, session recording, time-aware tasks, and real-time recruiting. Get the lowdown on UserVue, Acrobat Connect, GoTo Meeting, Loop11, OpenHallway, UserZoom, Optimal Sort, Ethnio, and more [...]

In the midst of a global conversation about change, many designers are pondering their own impact in the world. How does our experience in software interfaces, web sites, and physical products prepare us to address the profound issues humanity is facing? These issues involve many complex systems, systems too big to fit into the scope of any single company or institution. Design methods are potent at large scale and scope, but what does it take to be effective as a practitioner, as a team, as a company? What is it like to actually achieve a meaningful, sustainable, positive difference in life? In this evening of conversation, Marc Rettig will moderate a few discussions about the fundamentals of design work, and the need for designers everywhere to be working to have impact beyond making money for their employers [...]

Applications have always been traditionally static. Recent improvements in computer performance have allowed applications to be more dynamic, with smooth transitions between states. Flow is not only important for responsiveness but also for subtle visual feedback on what the application is doing. This talk presents some important considerations and examples for when designing for flow [...]

Douglas Wang and I recently chatted with Daniel Szuc about design in China today, skills a designer should possess, and challenges and opportunities in working as a designer in Asia [...]

Adrienne Massanari, Instructor of New/Digital Media in the School of Communication at Loyola University – Chicago, assesses the problematic relationship between new media designers and “users” in texts written about user-centered design [...]

Each year, Game Developer looks at the powerful lineup of new products and new releases of important tools, from game engines to books, and selects the top five products in each category. Front Line Awards finalists represent the most innovative, user-friendly, and useful products from behind the scenes of the world’s best video games. For this year, Autodesk 3ds Max won Game Developer Award for Best Art Tool [...]