Windows on another world

Imagine that digital information exist in another world that lies just beneath our feet. A world jam-pack with data and activity, a world of ever increasing importance.

But as the creators of this world it is strange that we are forever looking down, peering through tiny windows to gain access and view a snapshot of what is going on.

Surely this is not right, we should be bringing this world out into our own. Making these windows as large and expansive as possible, through which we can survey and interact with this information. Here is a good example:



and also this:

Physical Email

I've been thinking about some sort of physical email for sometime now. Something that recaptures the tactile nature of receiving a letter while maintaining the convenience of email.

I stumbled upon this the other day – genius.


Tableau: physical email from John Kestner on Vimeo.

You can read more about his work here.

Brands are interfaces and interaction

The ascent of interaction design to a critical role in brands is largely due to the changing nature of brands themselves. The new reality of brands is that they’re programs to deliver value through customer interfaces and interactions. They’re no longer the realm of top-down symbols, slogans and promises. In their new mode, brands are more social and cultural than “corporate.” They’re collaborative expressions of companies and their customers, formed in a structured process that builds the brand from the customer up. 

Some definitions:

• A brand interface is where the brand works with customers
• A brand interaction is how the brand works with customers

Yes, brands work with customers. The brands that count are working brands, not display brands. They’re brands that roll up their sleeves and team with customers to get things done.

 From Interaction design: the new key to brands

Gesture based interaction comes of age - maybe

The cheesy promo videos I have seen about Project Natal to date have always put me off...

...but watching this, I'm thinking again.



Loads more info about Project Natal here.

The Playful Experience

The digital space is conducive to play—exploration, imagination, and learning. And many successful digital products are built for play or incorporate play into their interaction design. No matter how important our jobs, serious our responsibilities, or stiff our personalities, all people need to play—whether we admit it or not. Is the boss looking? 

An interesting article about the importance of playfulness in user experience design.