From the president

Design Management Journal, Winter 2002 by Powell, Earl N

Interaction and interface. Thinking about these two words, my first impression is that interaction has to do with encounters among humans, and interface describes encounters among humans and machines. Both connections directly affect the quality of our lives.

Working on one of my first assignments in a class on industrial design-a kitchen knife-I can remember studying the grip and attempting to find the ideal place for my thumb and fingers as I sliced away at a pile of carrots. It took no time to find the "perfect" place for my thumb, and I figured that was that, until my instructor asked me to use the knife to peel apples. Well-suddenly I realized something obvious, but subtle: The requirements of the grip changed for each use of the knife. The perfect place for my thumb was only good for slicing carrots!

The human interface with the material world is always a process, not a singular act. It's a complex process, and from a designer's viewpoint, it carries with it a rather profound responsibility. Take as example your first impression of a particular home page on the Web. The home page-no matter whose it is-sets up a complex array of expectations that shape interactions with the pages that follow. These expectations can facilitate or hinder our understanding of the next pages. Thus, the challenge is to design the home page to be open, as well as specific, giving direction and understanding without inviting any prejudice that might blind the user to subsequent understanding. This ideaof being blind to subsequent understanding-carries considerable importance for both interface and interaction.

We all have unique histories from our upbringing, cultures, and adult experiences that shape our thinking and the ways we frame and solve problems. My early design education, particularly the insight to hold back judgment of an idea until I have achieved some level of understanding, has been quite useful in my interactions. Keeping an open mind takes continuous effort and work, yet it invariably brings new insight and understanding. If everyone on our little planet were able to defer judgment until he or she reaches deeper understanding, it would be a healthier and a happier place.

Earl n. Powell