October 09, 2002

For your reading pleasure...

I've come across three articles worth a read:

An interview with Peter Merholz and Nathan Shedroff on User-Centered Design in Digital Web:



Contrary to common wisdom, user-centered design is not a process, but a philosophy. User-centered design requires the inclusion of a product's end-users throughout the design process.

Ranganathan for IAs in Boxes and Arrows:



We need to plan and build with the expectation that our sites and our users will grow and change over time. Similarly we need to always keep our own skill levels moving forward.

I mention these first two articles not only because they are interesting, but because they touch on two themes central to my coursework at the iSchool. Bonus points to anyone who can correctly pronouce "Ranganathan."

Leaving the Autoroute, also in Boxes and Arrows:



You canít be in expert in everything, obviously. But you can make sure you have enough knowledge to appreciate the craftspeople you work with. So designers, take ìIntroduction to programmingî at the local college. Engineers, attend all the usability sessions and watch what those crazy users do. Usability folks, go read Robin Williams ìThe Non-Designers Design Bookî at least.