Interactive Design Sketchbook Summary Chapter 2 by Mackenzie Osborne

Chapter two of Bill Verplank’s Interaction Design Sketchbook illustrates the importance of the design process, interactions, solutions and what can come of it. Throughout this chapter, I learned about what a paradigm was and how it is used in the design process. Also, I learned about Verplank’s four step process. This was the most important piece in my opinion because it can be used in millions of situations. The process goes as follows: first, the designers are motivated by a problem they see or they are inspired by a situation or product. In the first step, they also decide on what the ideal goal for the project will be. Next, they find a metaphor that connects the motivation (idea) to the end goal. Along with the metaphor, you also need a variety of models of what we are trying to do. Then, the designers work out a step-by-step process of what needs to be done. They also need a model that ties all of the process together and clarifies it. You must have a clear picture of what the consumer is thinking about and a good understanding of what they need to know to make a good model. Finally, the designers decide on what kind of display they need and how to arrange everything. This is where they get to represent what they are manipulating and show a map of the controls to the display. This process is often complicated, so it makes a good team process. Working together as a team will make products better off in general.