Sunday, 31 July 2011

David Kelley-Human centered design

 

In this video filmed in 2002 David Kelley (founder of IDEO) talks about how their is a move from product centered design to human-centered design. In human-centered design there is a large focus on human experience and designing personalities and behaviours into everyday objects. While in the past designers would present 3d computer renderings to their clients, IDEO has used video production to depict the man and machine relationship. Kelley shows some interesting videos his company has been working on including:
  • Prada Shop – "customised technology" usage including devices for staff members, a liquid crystal screen and magic mirror that has a 3second delay
  • London Science Museum – Interactive wall which tells you what people are thinking about and interactive games about exhibitions
  • CBS – Designing the perfect cubicle for Dilbert which included a flower that wilts when your not there and orange windows which follows the Sun's movement
  • Greenwich Watercycle Pavillion – A peaceful display celebrating water recycling
  • Spyfish – Underwater cameras to stimulate scuba diving experience without getting wet
  • ApproTec – making nonprofit products in Kenya
These examples give an idea of the sort of outcomes that design thinking can lead to. All of the outcomes are innovative in some way. They go about solving existing issues in new ways while also having a playful approach to problem solving. I think David Kelleys human centred approach is an exciting and beneficial approach to design. By creating human behaviours and personalities into things you can create more interest, enhance the user experience and educate at the same time.

Sunday, 24 July 2011

Don Norman: Emotional design

 
        Don Norman's talk on Emotional design discusses the importance of positive human viseral and behavioural response when choosing and using a product. "Pleasant things work better" a statement by Norman which suggests beauty, playfulness and positive aesthetic should be intrinsic within all products. 
He names the three emotional cues that a well-designed product must hit to succeed.  

Visceral: The most immediatel level of processing, is an subconscious experience in which we can perceive before significant interaction occurs.Visceral processing helps us make rapid decisions about what is good, bad, safe, or dangerous. It is apart of our animal instinct to respond, seen also within nature  the dart frog is one of the most the deadliest animals and has bright, neon purple and yellow skin to warn others.
“When a user interface promises ease of use at the visceral level—or whatever else the visceral promise of an interaction may be—it should then be sure to deliver on that promise at the behavioral level.”-Norman

Behavioural: The middle level of processing that lets us manage simple, everyday behaviors, which according to Norman, constitute the majority of human activity. Research on the human brain suggest intense fear paralyzes the brain from working. Interestingly  the surrounding fun or emotional environment can greatly effect our ability to function at differet tasks both positively and negatively. Communication=Acting Design that "speaks" is important for people, interacting with brings control and connection with the things we do.
“Designing for the behavioral level means designing product behaviors that complement a user’s own behaviors, implicit assumptions, and mental models.”-Norman

Reflective: —The least immediate level of processing, which involves conscious consideration and reflection on past experiences. Reflective processing can enhance or inhibit behavioral processing, but has no direct access to visceral reactions. This level of cognitive processing is accessible only via memory, not through direct interaction or perception. The most interesting aspect of reflective processing as it relates to design is that, through reflection, we are able to integrate our experiences with designed artifacts into our broader life experiences and, over time, associate meaning and value with the artifacts themselves.
“Designing for the reflective level means designing to build long-term product relationships.”-Norman