Planning Tools For Interaction - Storyboards

Storyboards are a sequential series of images or illustrations that are developed for the purpose of visualising or planning for various forms of media or even a set of instructions.

Examples Of Information/Instructional Design

Code Breaking. How Safe is your Password
by Robin Richards

The visual representation of the strength and weaknesses of a variety of users' passwords.




The PolarClock 3.0

A colourful yet simplistic portrayal of date and time.


United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
by Harry Pearce and Jason Ching

A visual expression of drug users around the world. Also shown among these drugs users are people who suffer from HIV.

What Is Information/Instructional Design?

Information Design involves the detailed planning of information to be used effectively and efficiently by a particular audience. Visual representations of the data are created to aid the viewer to be able to understand its meaning clearer. Information design focuses on what is required to be known so that instruction can be developed.

Examples Of Interactive Design

Facebook

Agency Net 2.0

Planning Tools For Interaction - Mood Boards

Mood boards allow people to view expressions and visual references for each aspect of a persona. An example of a mood board for the following information is below:

John is a 75-year-old retired carpenter who still enjoys hikes in national parks and riding 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.

What Is Interactive Design?

Interaction involves the communication between a user and the computer in order to accomplish something either directly or indirectly. Interactions can be either one-on-one, one-to-many, or many-to-many. An interaction designer creates either a digital or analog product, physical or conceptual, or a combination of all these.

Interactive design is focused on how products work and how they are used. An interactive designer focuses on designing everything that deals with interaction including the behaviours to be defined. The focus on connections between people should not be forgotten.