Interaction Design, 6th Edition

Chapter 3CONCEPTUALIZING INTERACTION

• 3.1 Introduction
• 3.2 Conceptualizing Interaction
• 3.3 Conceptual Models
• 3.4 Interface Metaphors
• 3.5 Interaction Types
• 3.6 Paradigms, Visions, Challenges, Theories, Models, and Frameworks

 

The main goals of this chapter are to accomplish the following:

• Explain how to conceptualize interaction.
• Describe what a conceptual model is and how to begin to formulate one.
• Discuss the use of interface metaphors as part of a conceptual model.
• Outline the core interaction types for informing the development of a conceptual model.
• Introduce paradigms, visions, challenges, theories, models, and frameworks informing interaction design.

3.1 Introduction

When coming up with new ideas as part of a design project, it is important to conceptualize them in terms of what the proposed product will do. Sometimes, this is referred to as creating a proof of concept. In relation to the double diamond framework described in Chapter 2, it can be viewed as an initial pass to help define the area and also when developing responses to the design challenge and then testing different solutions at small scale. In particular, it comes out of the “discover” phase (left side of the left diamond) and progresses through the define phase (right side of the left diamond). One reason for needing to do this is as a reality check where fuzzy ideas and assumptions about the benefits of the proposed product and user experience are scrutinized in terms of their ...