All posts from
September 2008

Information Architecture for Audio: Doing It Right

“Creating usable audio is not difficult when you follow a few simple rules. These mostly stem from the creation of usable content in the form of text. Information architecture, journalism, educational psychology, usability engineering and interface design provide plentiful tips for doing so. Most of the methods used in these fields can be applied to the creation of audio.” (Jens JacobsenBoxes and Arrows)

The Three Paradigms of HCI PDF Logo

“Informal histories of HCI commonly document two major intellectual waves that have formed the field: the first orienting from engineering/human factors with its focus on optimizing man-machine fit, and the second stemming from cognitive science, with an increased emphasis on theory and on what is happening not only in the computer but, simultaneously, in the human mind. In this paper, we document underlying forces that constitute a third wave in HCI and suggest systemic consequences for the CHI community. We provisionally name this the ‘phenomenological matrix’. In the course of creating technologies such as ubiquitous computing, visualization, affective and educational technology, a variety of approaches are addressing issues that are bad fits to prior paradigms, ranging from embodiment to situated meaning to values and social issues. We demonstrate the underlying unity of these approaches, and document how they suggest the centrality of currently marginal criteria for design, evaluation, appreciation, and developmental methodology in CHI work.” (Steve Harrison et al. 2007)

Keynote at MobileHCI2008: BJ Fogg – Mobile Miracle

“At the center of the talk was that prediction that mobile devices will be within 15 years the main technology for persuasion. He argued that mobile phones are the greatest invention of human kind – more important than the writing and transportation systems (e.g. planes, cars). He explained why mobile phones are so interesting based on three metaphors: heart, wrist watch, magic wand.” (Albert SchmidtUser Interface Engineering)

Dan Saffer Leaves AP

“I plan on relishing my remaining time here at Adaptive Path, even though I know with a pang in my heart the end is coming, and soon. I’ve worked here longer than any place I’ve ever worked. Here, I learned everything I know about running a design consultancy, and, truthfully, a lot of what I know about being a designer in general. It was here I sharpened my interaction design and product strategy skills, as well as honing my speaking and writing chops.” (Dan SafferAdaptive Path Blog)

InfoCamp Seattle 2008

“InfoCamp is a hybrid unconference that blends the egalitarian, community-driven basis of barcamps and other unconferences and with some more conventional conference structures. Students, professionals, entrepreneurs and hobbyists from the user-centered information community are all encouraged to come together to join in the conversation, adding to the community of ideas and building connections to people who share a similar passion for information and how to best utilize and design information for the people that use it. InfoCamp is fueled by the serendipity that happens when connecting open, like-minded people with new ideas.” (September 27-28, 2008 – Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, Seattle WA, USA)