Design for Interaction

Rating:
Summary: Provides an assessment of modern designs
Review: Designers have traditionally guided their audience until recently; now user needs and activities become the priorities of good designing. This provides an assessment of modern designs which require audience participation. Chapters discuss how designs relate to use and efficiency, and provide examples of modern design interaction which is driving design choices around the world. An essential key for any designer.

Rating:
Summary: Art Book-? Yes. Design Guide? No Way
Review: If you'd like a beautiful art book to display on your coffee table that attests to what you do for a living (designing Web sites, typography, software, interiors, etc.), then this book would be a good option. If you want real information about design, and guidance to improve your design skills, keep on looking. You will be disappointed in a book with illegibly tiny type for its body text (I know, I know, this book is about designing for users' needs first and good looks second).

I feel sad to have to report this, because Ms. Baggerman seems to write well (yes, I suffered through reading all the 6 pt. and smaller type), and has useful information to present, as well as interesting examples. Unfortunately, the designers got in control of this project, and the editorial staff didn't rein them in. Design for Interaction is a treat visually. For usability, however, it undoubtedly lacks.

Rating:
Summary: Very thorough. New angle on interaction.
Review: When I picked up the book, I expected it to be only Websites. I was pleasantly surprised, then, to see that Ms. Baggerman has investigated the design principles necessary for anything with which a human being interacts--be it a magazine, a font, packaging, or, of course, a Website. Clearly, knowledgeably written and fun to read, I found the approach refreshing and inspiring. It really makes you think about the need to put the end-user first in ANYTHING you design.