Concerns+of+interactive+system+design

toc =**Concerns of Interactive System Design**=

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The process of creating environments where people can communicate and interact is regarded as an "interactive system". As inhabitants in the Information/Digital Age where 1's, 0's and bits can be transmitted or modified easily through communication mediums, designing interactive systems properly is essential. The key role of an interactive system design is it's ability to process information. Examples of this process are websites,telephones etc.

When designers are working on 'product design' for both hardware and software of a system, certain aspects and factors should be considered:

-**Design**: //what is it and in what way or function should you use it?// -**Technologies**: //all the components, devices and systems// -**People**: //target audience for the systems and whose life we are trying to improve through the design// -**Activities and contexts**: //what people want to do with the technology and the context and situation that will take place with it.//

Design also involves the exploration of various requirements such as ; what the system's purpose is; and how it should do it. Design solutions need to be explored and evaluated. The creative process of a design may include choosing layouts such as color scheme, font, structure etc. Interactive system designers must take into account various considerations between people and machines. While machines are precise, logical, unemotional and rigid amongst other things people are distractible, illogical, emotional, flexible and 'think outside the box' in terms of creativity. Since ultimately the technology is only as efficient as its user designers focus on being human-centred. Consideration of diversity should be regarded. It is important to understand how the technology can be used by people and how it can create new ways to connect and involve people. A designer should design within the context and situation accordingly and evaluate all alternative designs until they find technological solutions which fit the appropriate context.

3 reasons being human-centred when designing is important:


 * Safety**: //several plane and train disasters could have been avoided if functions or display instructions had not been faulty.//
 * Effectiveness**: //the machine has to fit in with ways of working (Acceptibility) and has to be used to its maximum potential (Productivity).//
 * Ethics**: //honesty and sourcing people is necessary to avoid issues such as intellectual property and plagiarism. Privacy and Security are also very important.//

The process of designing interactive systems ensued user interface enables people to come interact:


 * Physically**-//interactive process through pushing buttons and levers,//
 * Perceptually**-//by displaying things and sounds on a screen//
 * and** **Conceptually**-//by aiding the user with messages and instructions that help figure out what it does.//

Input (data instructions and information) and Output (feedback) in the form of multimedia for example, is needed to maintain the system. One needs to draw upon several disciplines like artistic and engineering design in order to be most efficient. On the whole, the process requires a lot of effort, a strong multi-faceted team of workers and lots of brainstorming and evaluation of options.