In most fields with interaction designers, the focus is primarily on technology and human factors. However, to truly be effective in creating a human-centered environment, we need to practice more relationship principles or we definitely miss the bigger picture!
In most fields with interaction designers, the focus is primarily on technology and human factors. However, to truly be effective in creating a human-centered environment, we need to practice more relationship principles or we definitely miss the bigger picture!
The strong need for Technology goes practically without saying. It’s huge! There are so many things made possible today that were simply science fiction in the past. Technology both creates and solves problems. Technology has a deep impact beyond initial creation and testing. Proper maintenance is such a crucial aspect. Tech rot can be a fatal mistake.
Positive Psychology teaches interaction designers some invaluable techniques that influence optimal human experience. This direction works hand in hand with technology to ensure successful business practices. If you haven’t already read the book FLOW and check out Stephen Anderson’s talk on Seductive Interfaces.
Okay, but 5 parts Relationships? How can those be so much more important?
Usually, interaction designers are focused on just one of the 5 necessary relationships for success.
End consumers are primarily the interaction designers focus. We need to be trusted to do our jobs as an advocate for the consumer experience. Not only can interaction disciplines be considered a soft science, but with more and more services becoming free to the consumer, it can be even harder to justify the costs to “do it right”. Spread your energy across some other relationships and it will come back to make an impact ten fold what you could do alone!
Think about your team. If you put just an additional 5% of your energy into unifying the consumer cause, not only could you get multiply that effort for one project, but for future projects as well. Your team experience can take interaction further than you could alone!
If you don’t have formal analysts, you may have finance guys or even B2B customers which have key indicatores that they look for. Someone has to crunch the numbers, right? How can you relate to these folks better? Analysts are the ‘soft sciences’ best friend. These people can really save your tail if you work with them to better understand what aspects they could be looking for. Give them some love and usually you will get an ally that looks forward to solving problems with you and helping to support your case.
People that invest in your skills obviously have a big stake in the decisions about what goes and what doesn’t. Most of the time, these people want to hear you portray the STORY that goes along with the interaction.
The days of “not worrying about what other people think” seem to be waning. Does your product or service have the inner confidence it needs to succeed when feedback isn’t so great?
Still don’t believe relationships are important? Is it still not YOUR responsibility as the interaction designer? How do you expect other people to follow your interaction lead,if they don’t interact with you well? REMEMBER… Behavior is our medium! What about Authenticity? Shouldn’t we practice what we preach?