David Farkas presented on using mixology and cocktail design as an analogy for interaction design. Mixology involves experimenting with ingredients and recipes to create new cocktails, similar to how interaction designers iterate on a design by testing with users. Farkas discussed how the process of learning mixology through education and practice is comparable to learning design and provided several examples of original cocktail recipes he created with different flavor combinations and ingredients. He argued that mixology serves as a useful metaphor for interaction design processes like user validation, iteration and designing experiences that are intuitive to users.

1. Interaction Design
Through Mixology
David Farkas
Electronic Ink, Philadelphia PA
@dafark8
#DTDD
MidwestUX 2012
@dafark8 #DTDD #MWUX12

2. What is Mixology?
Mixology is the study and practice
of mixing alcoholic beverages;
experimenting and creating new
cocktail recipes similar to the way
a chef creates a new dish
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_mixology
@dafark8 #DTDD #MWUX12

3. Why Mixology?
@dafark8 #DTDD #MWUX12 3

4. I Asked What About...
Education Process Iterate
User Validation It Goes Unnoticed
@dafark8 #DTDD #MWUX12 4

5. Education & Training
@dafark8 #DTDD #MWUX12 5

6. “ I went to class to
learn how to bartend
and never went to
”
school for design
@dafark8 #DTDD #MWUX12 6

7. Russian Mojito
• Mint Infused Vodka
• Simple Syrup
• Lime Juice
• Seltzer
@dafark8 #DTDD #MWUX12 7

8. Process & Materials
http://www.flickr.com/photos/16984317@N04/2474657273/sizes/l/in/photostream/
@dafark8 #DTDD #MWUX12 8

9. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ethelgloves/5998966446/sizes/o/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/82362246@N00/5016993520/sizes/z/in/photostream/
@dafark8 #DTDD #MWUX12 9

10. John Daly
• Lemon-Ginger infused
vodka
• Unsweetended Ice Tea
@dafark8 #DTDD #MWUX12 10

11. Iterate Iterate Iterate
@dafark8 #DTDD #MWUX12 11

12. @dafark8 #DTDD #MWUX12 12

13. Jalapeño Tequila Sunrise
• Jalapeño Infused Tequila
• Grapefruit Juice
• Lime Juice
• Seltzer
• Jalapeño Garnish (infused)
@dafark8 #DTDD #MWUX12 13

14. User Validation
@dafark8 #DTDD #MWUX12 14

15. “Too close for missiles, switching to guns”
@dafark8 #DTDD #MWUX12 15

16. Morning Melon
• Cucumber Infused Gin
• Mottled Watermelon
• Mottled Cantaloupe
• Simple Syrup
• Seltzer
@dafark8 #DTDD #MWUX12 16

17. It Goes Unnoticed
@dafark8 #DTDD #MWUX12 17

18. “ It tastes like
cranberry and tonic,
you don’t taste the
alcohol at all, I love it
”
@dafark8 #DTDD #MWUX12 18

19. Blueberry Vodka
• Blueberry Infused Vodka
• Seltzer
• Ice Cubes (with frozen
blueberries)
@dafark8 #DTDD #MWUX12 19

20. Mixology is IxD
http://survivingtheworld.net/Lesson1225.html
@dafark8 #DTDD #MWUX12 20

21. Mixology is IxD
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cqjAhdk4iTQ/TwuNv22thtI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/QYbBEwmk-ko/s1600/Table%252Bof%252BAlcohol.png
@dafark8 #DTDD #MWUX12 21

22. Resources
• My Recipes: http://bit.ly/DTDD_MUX
• Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/dafark8/mixology/
• Liqurious: http://liqurious.notcot.org/
• Home Bar Basics: http://www.homebarbasics.com/?cat=5
• Wrench in the System: http://wrenchinthesystem.com/
@dafark8 #DTDD #MWUX12 22

23. Interaction Design
Through Mixology
David Farkas
Electronic Ink, Philadelphia PA
dafark8@gmail.com
@dafark8
#DTDD
MidwestUX 2012
@dafark8 #DTDD #MWUX12