a thing called interaction design

What is Interaction Design?

Put simply it's designing the relationship between the user(s) and the product or service. I use product in a very open way: objects, environments, software are all products we create. So we are really focusing on designing that sometimes unseen thing that is in the space 'between'. This can also involve the design of the interface, but interface design is only a part of the system, it mediates the 'between'.

For many, interaction design is just screen based, some courses/companies work only on-screen and though this is valid it's just a part of what interaction can be. And it's not just the ergonomics of a piece of hardware.

Interaction design can include: product design, service design, graphic design, fashion and textiles and many others. In other words interaction design is a subject which touches many areas and can be difficult to pin down. But doesn't this make it more interesting? If you can learn about many areas and work with loads of different people then you get to design in a way that has never been possible before.

Many of these areas can converge within interaction design. For example a garment might be part of service which also has a web interface and you could be involved in designing the overall system, the garment, the interface or any combination. It's when designers step out of their pigeonholes and get involved that it all starts to be fun. You can't be great at everything but you can get to know other areas and learn how to converse with the experts. Knowing what can be done is more important than just knowing how to do it.

Let's take an example of something which you might say couldn't be interaction design...say print graphics. But then what is a barcode? How about a poster I saw recently at the gym. It was in the toilet above the urinal and had a chart for what colour your pee should be if you are properly hydrated. A great piece of work, and someone actually had to match Pantone colours to pee!

The trick to understanding what interaction design is to be open minded, don't pigeonhole people, take an interest in other peoples areas. Make your own definitions. (Does this sound like an ad for a sportswear company? Somebody shoot me......)