Moodboard - Planning Tools for Interaction

Johnny Smith

John is a 75-year-old retired carpenter who still enjoys hikes in national parks and ridding his Harley-Davidson. He looks forward to the local club raffle and a catch up with the boys on a Thursday evening. He also enjoys playing bingo, listening to local radio and watching old western movies with his wife Jill. As he gets older and has to visit the hospital more often, he prefers quick and efficient healthcare with simple, bold instructions and hospital signs. He aims to enjoy the rest of his life traveling a little and spending time with family, especially his grandchildren.

· Location: Hobart
· Toaster Usage: Unfortunately Johnny has never used a fancy new electric toaster
· Computer/Internet Usage: PC, Occasionally browses the Internet with the help of his grandchildren.
· Computer Skill: Novice user. Finds things too complicated on the computer to use. Has an email but doesn’t know how to use it properly.

Storyboard - Planning tools for Interactive Design

Step by Step Description- Planning Tool for Interaction

1. Place toaster on bench
   
2. Plug in toaster
   
3. Switch on power outlet
   
4. Insert bread in toaster
   
5. Set desired dial temperature
   
6. Push down lever (does bread toast?)
   
7. Wait for ejection
   
8. Take out toast (is bread toasted enough?)
   
9. Put on a plate
   
10. Switch power outlet off
11. Unplug Toaster

Flowchart - Planning Tool for Interaction

Information/Instructional Design Examples

The best Informational designs are those which are information "rich" while keeping a users attention which is one of our challenges as designers, to create an interesting reperesentation of data for a perspective client, to "inform but entertain" Through the use of visual communication teachniques, graphics are employed to represent data in a way our brains comprehend, and humanises and puts in perspective, the views of certain statistical factors.



INFORMATION EXAMPLES

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpEnFwiqdx8


2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3hp8Qaf_q0
3. Road Signs
4. Posters
5. Charts,Graphs and statistics

INSTRUCTIONAL EXAMPLES

The simple step by step process, usually following numbers with small graphics showing each step, make it simplistic for the viewing audience to understand.

Other examples of instructional design are often found in manual labour equipment or medical appratus. These are common areas where simple instruction is provided so new workers know how the gear works but for OH/S reasons. This makes designs for these instructions usually rely wholey on graphics to convey a message.

Information/Instructional Design Definition

Information Design is taking complex data and being able to visually show the information in an easy to undertand format with an explanitory manor. When data is confusing, the viewers disregard the information. Information design is used by many different companies and businesses to visually show information without confusing clients. Data is not always clear and when our brains cannot comprehend something they dis-regard it. one main focus of infographics is to add clarity and simplicity to information while not losing any of its original value.
Graphs are a form of information design, there are many different ways to represent information. These are considered information graphics. These may range from Street Signs, Shop Signage or even bus and train maps. Each example has information that is being displayed graphically.

Instructional Design is the design of creating learning graphics which are usually step by step. These aids are used to teach and can be enhanced by technology to help further the learning process of the user. I.e., A video may be produced to show the user how to use an item. The need of the user is taken into account to further aid the user in achieving their goal that is required at the end of the instructional device. This is important because information found in instructional devices that are strictly text only may not give the user the correct instruction. Visual aids are usually used to show the user how something may be done.

Interactive Design Examples

Interactive websites are intergral part of web 2.0 and user input into the web, as a recipricator of knowledge between a community. The ability to interact with a website creates an intuitive design, a flow and balance, making the user feel more in control. Lacking this sense of control and choice, as well as the general aesthetic can be frustrating for many users, at a novice or intermediate level.

http://www.wefeelfine.org/

We Feel Fine is a fully interactive website, that draws apon design, science, and several other factors to create an elaborate representation of data in an interactive fashion for people to explore, in a more interesting fashion. It shows how far you can push the boundaries of creating statistical graphs, visually representing something can get much the same effect while maintaining the viewers attention, allowing more of this data to be absorbed, and more likely they will want to engage this interactive medium.

http://www.peteralexander.com.au/tem/PA_catalogue.tem?Level1Click=catalogue_signature#/5

In fashion and advertising, interactivity in essential to sell a product. Not every house wife will be internet savy, so this very 'mouse over' approach to a website, allows for a simple and effective method of selling a product and seemlessly blending it with navigation and interactivity of the website, scrolling over each piece of clothing highlights it and brings up information pertanent to the interacted piece, taking colour out of the rest of the site to create a focus. Effectively engadging the audience, but allowing them to have control over what items they view, if they want to only see certain items details, it is up to them to select it.