What is Interactive Design?

well to basically put it, Wiki describes interactive as the study of devices with which a user can interact, in particular computer users.

this answer didn’t satisfy me entirely so then I turned to my lecture notes here we can see 2 quotes describing Interactive Design

• Designing interactive products to support people in their everyday and working lives- Sharp, Rogers and Preece (2002)
• The design of spaces for human communication and interaction-Winograd(1997)

so from that we gain the understanding that interactive design revolves around devices or interfaces that allow humans to interact and communicate in one way or another

Interactive design aims to improve our understanding , experience and functionality with the user.  This is done by researching and looking at the users needs, then what we designers do is trying to meet these needs and standards. Designers figure out who needs to use it,  and how people would like to use it and hence the process of interactive design unravels itself.

While trying to understand the process and needs for an interactive design , we have to remember ONLY! by involving users on the system regularly will designers be able to maximize the usability.
By having real participants , designers can gain a better understanding of the goals needed to achieve that interaction on the system or product.

Only by involving users who will use a product or system on a regular basis will designers be able to properly tailor and maximize usability. Involving real users, designers gain the ability to better understand user goals and experiences.

~ by lyndt on March 14, 2010.