1 What is interaction design

This section introduces interaction design – that is, creating the means by which users communicate with different forms of computing technology in order to perform some activity. The section will:

• illustrate the scope of interaction and the importance of interaction design
• draw attention to the importance of the user, the environment and the activities when considering interaction design
• explore the core concepts of usability and user experience
• highlight key activities and characteristics of the design process.

You will learn some basic concepts and vocabulary of interaction design. You’ll be asked to reflect on usability and user experience. On a practical level, you will do some simple evaluation.