- Paperback: 528 pages
- Publisher: MIT Press (28 Mar 2010)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0262514230
- ISBN-13: 978-0262514231
- Product Dimensions: 22.6 x 17.5 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,029,459 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
"This is an important book, moving interaction design from an art form to a science. Harold Thimbleby provides a treasure trove of information, introducing powerful methods, yet so skillfully explained that even the non-technical reader can follow and learn. The methods promise to make dramatic improvements in the design and evaluation of interactive systems. Don't worry: the formal tools are introduced slowly, step-by-step. Even if you normally fear such methods, you will be entranced and enchanted. Buy this book and use it. I know I will." --Don Norman, Nielsen Norman group and Northwestern University, author of The Design of Future Things "Interface device design and computer science theory often seem worlds apart, where each challenges the constraints and demands of the other. This unique book is a counterpoint. Thimbleby clearly shows how hard-core computer science concepts contribute to the clarity and precision of device design, leading in turn to better design critique and redesign." --Saul Greenberg, Professor and iCORE/SMART Industrial Research Chair, University of Calgary "Interaction designers often espouse general principles for creating more usable and satisfying systems. This book shows that to make those principles work, the designer needs to conduct rigorous analysis of the details of interaction, within a coherent formal framework. Through a wide-ranging collection of interaction examples and clear expositions of the relevant mathematics, Thimbeleby demonstrates that careful analysis can improve our interactions with digital devices of all kinds. The book will be of value to anyone who creates interfaces to computers and electronic devices, from the smallest to the most complex." --Terry Winograd, Department of Computer Science, Stanford University
Review
"Interface device design and computer science theory often seem worlds apart, where each challenges the constraints and demands of the other. This unique book is a counterpoint. Thimbleby clearly shows how hard-core computer science concepts contribute to the clarity and precision of device design, leading in turn to better design critique and redesign." Saul Greenberg, Professor and iCORE/SMART Industrial Research Chair, University of Calgary I strongly recommend this book to a wide audience: students, instructors, and especially project managers and designers who are not thoroughly familiar with the foundations of computer science or HCI." Edgar R. Chavez Computing Reviews "Interface device design and computer science theory often seem worlds apart, where each challenges the constraints and demands of the other. This unique book is a counterpoint. Thimbleby clearly shows how hard-core computer science concepts contribute to the clarity and precision of device design, leading in turn to better design critique and redesign."Saul Greenberg , Professor and iCORE/SMART Industrial Research Chair, University of Calgary
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book lays down the foundation of interaction programming - the new mantra for a rigorous and analytical approach to designing interactive systems. It is a monumental effort by Thimbleby, a leading expert in the field, to convince the readers of a radical rethink on user interface design.
The book is organised in three parts. Part I delves into a history of technology design, from calculators to cars, and presents a case for designing better interaction. This part of the book is the most enjoyable and presents fascinating insights into this relationship between users and technology, for instance how users unable to use technology efficiently often end up perceiving they are not competent enough whereas the real reason is most often bad design.
Part II of the book presents a formal framework to analyse the 'interactivity' of systems. Readers are introduced to finite state machines, statecharts and graphs to undertake a variety of analyses. The ultimate aim is to make designers aware and help them build interfaces that by and large exhibit affordance, cater for error recovery, and are suitably permissive and customisable.
The numerous examples given throughout the book demonstrate these principles in considerable depth. Towards the end of this part, chapter 11 goes further than design to present some very useful techniques for writing accurate user manuals in a systematic fashion.
Part III presents an attempt by the author to inspire his readers to put all this 'knowledge into action'. Some of the design principles introduced earlier are revisited and examined in the context of real systems. Chapter 13, which I enjoyed reading the most, even presents an ethical perspective on good interface design. It also covers various means to effectively evaluate such systems.
This book, written in a detailed yet accessible language, is for any and all working with interactive systems, be it developers or researchers, working in academia or industry. It is an extensive treatment of the subject, not all parts of which would be of interest to readers new to the field however. The book is accompanied by a website with relevant code and demonstration resources - very useful for those who wish to use the book for teaching.
The book is organised in three parts. Part I delves into a history of technology design, from calculators to cars, and presents a case for designing better interaction. This part of the book is the most enjoyable and presents fascinating insights into this relationship between users and technology, for instance how users unable to use technology efficiently often end up perceiving they are not competent enough whereas the real reason is most often bad design.
Part II of the book presents a formal framework to analyse the 'interactivity' of systems. Readers are introduced to finite state machines, statecharts and graphs to undertake a variety of analyses. The ultimate aim is to make designers aware and help them build interfaces that by and large exhibit affordance, cater for error recovery, and are suitably permissive and customisable.
The numerous examples given throughout the book demonstrate these principles in considerable depth. Towards the end of this part, chapter 11 goes further than design to present some very useful techniques for writing accurate user manuals in a systematic fashion.
Part III presents an attempt by the author to inspire his readers to put all this 'knowledge into action'. Some of the design principles introduced earlier are revisited and examined in the context of real systems. Chapter 13, which I enjoyed reading the most, even presents an ethical perspective on good interface design. It also covers various means to effectively evaluate such systems.
This book, written in a detailed yet accessible language, is for any and all working with interactive systems, be it developers or researchers, working in academia or industry. It is an extensive treatment of the subject, not all parts of which would be of interest to readers new to the field however. The book is accompanied by a website with relevant code and demonstration resources - very useful for those who wish to use the book for teaching.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a very interesting and informative read highlighting how we can apply algorithms and techniques from computer science to highlight issues in products, which can be resolved. This is useful for any HCI practitioner. Highly recommended.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
1 review
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
From a software project manager's perspective
23 Nov 2008
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Part of my job is to analyze customer needs for enterprise web applications and then translate the needs into requirements for developers to implement. I have been enjoying this book and its treatment on taking computer science approach to design better user experience. The author Harold Thimbleby has done a good job in presenting the material in a very engaging approach.
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