Sessions at Interaction12 about heuristics

Wednesday 1st February 2012

• Design with Intent: understanding users and influencing behaviour

  by Dan Lockton

  Whether we choose to do it or not, what we design is going to affect how users behave, so we might as well think about it, and – if we can—actually get good at it. A systems approach can help us understand how people interact with the different products and services they experience, how mental models and cognitive biases and heuristics influence the way people make decisions about what to do, and hence how we might apply that knowledge (for good).

  In this practical workshop, we’ll first try a novel investigatory approach to design and behaviour, using ourselves as both designers and ‘guinea pigs’ in exploring the different ways in which designers model users when seeking to influence behaviour, how users respond, and how better to uncover users' understanding, mental models and heuristics. We will explore the possibilities of constructing behavioural personas, and what insights these could offer.

  Then, using a structured 'systems' approach, together with the latest iteration of the Design with Intent toolkit, we'll tackle a behaviour change case study, generating and developing concepts for influencing user behaviour which better match – and even help improve – users' understanding in the process of changing how they act.

  • Behaviour
  • Design
  • heuristics
  • user behaviour

  At 9:00am to 12:30pm, Wednesday 1st February

  Coverage handout write-up

Saturday 4th February 2012

• Does it have legs? Information Architecture Heuristics for Interaction Designers

  by Abby "The IA" Covert

  No one would think it delightful to see a beautifully rendered building fall under its own weight. To avoid such occurrences, Architects don’t just provide a holistic design for a space, they also assure that the space is structurally sound and can support the expected usage and growth of its “users”. Interaction design is a similar: build a weak structure and even the most delightful content and function will fail to deliver satisfaction. And we have all experienced beautiful designs that fail. Everyday actually.

  By taking strategic steps towards providing structural strength within our digital spaces we can make the world a better place for everyone.

  The focus of this talk will be on what an interaction designer really needs to know to evaluate the strength of their design solutions. The goal being to create a better understanding of the value that great information architecture can bring to the creative process.

  • heuristics
  • Infrastructure

  At 11:05am to 11:50am, Saturday 4th February

  In Liffey 2, The Convention Centre Dublin