Interactive Design

Interactive Design is the discipline of defining the behavior of products and systems that a user can interact with. The practice typically centers around complex technology systems such as software, mobile devices, and other electronic devices. However, it can also apply to other types of products and services, and even organizations themselves. Interactive design defines the behavior (the "interaction") of an artifact or system in response to its users.

As new technologies are often overly complex for their intended target audience, interactive design aims to minimize the learning curve and to increase accuracy and efficiency of a task without diminishing usefulness. The objective is to reduce frustration and increase user productivity and satisfaction.

Interactive design attempts to improve the usability and experience of the product, by first researching and understanding certain users' needs and then designing to meet and exceed them.

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. There are also positive side effects which include enhanced system capability awareness and user ownership. It is important that the user be aware of system capabilities from an early stage so that expectations regarding functionality are both realistic and properly understood. Also, user's who have been active participants in a product's development are more likely to feel a sense of ownership, thus increasing overall satisfaction.

Examples:

http://www.mca.com.au/

The Museum of Contemporary Art is an Australian museum dedicated to exhibiting, interpreting and collecting contemporary art from across Australia and around the world.

The MCA homepage is attractive. The MCA logo and the page header are Flash animated to add interest. Like the Museum, the site strives to make contemporary art accessible to a broad audience. Its unique navigational system cleverly captures the people-oriented approach of the MCA as site visitors can "ask" a museum staff member to show them the contents of each section of the site. The staff member "replies" with a wave of the hand and a speech bubble.

The website consists of visitor information about the MCA. The "online calendar" details past, current, upcoming, touring and permanent exhibitions. Information such as the library, resources and educational program are also covered. Details about MCA membership, internships and employment are available in the "join us" area. Press releases in PDF format can be found in the "media" section. The "MCA store" is an online shop with a fully categorized product inventory, which allows specific products to be associated with any current event or exhibition.

The Museum of Contemporary Art website is rich in content with a contemporary feel. It is visitor-friendly, easy to navigate and enjoy. Just like the Museum itself.

http://www.deepend.com.au/

Deepend is a digital brand communications agency that specialises in strategic, design led, business and marketing solutions. Their design teams are experts in the creation and production of interactive, online, mobile and broadcast technologies.