Everytime I have to introduce myself my mind goes blank.
Others used to call me Art Director, that really sucks. Sometimes I’m just a Graphic Designer, that is not really what I’m doing in my day by day. Definitely I’m not a coooool artist with superfluous designs. My work is so focused on user-centered design … doh! I get a little bit mixed-up.
User-Centered Graphic Designer should be a good term, but is too long to use on a business card. So I ask myself: Are we just User Interface Designer or not? Let’s check out what Wikipedia has to say:
Where traditional graphic design seeks to make the object or application physically attractive, the goal of user interface design is to make the user’s interaction as simple and efficient as possible, in terms of accomplishing user goals—what is often called user-centered design. Where good graphic/industrial design is bold and eye catching, good user interface design is to facilitate finishing the task at hand over drawing unnecessary attention to itself. Graphic design may be utilized to apply a theme or style to the interface without compromising its usability.
Wow! That’s really what I do everyday at work!
But Wait! You, HCI people, must be shouting out “No, Not really!”.
Traditionally User Interface Designer is a title used for HCI (Human-Computer Interaction) people but take a look again at what wikipedia has to say about Interaction Design:
Interaction Design (IxD) is the discipline of defining the behavior of products and systems that a user can interact with. The practice typically centers around complex technology systems such as software, mobile devices, and other electronic devices. However, it can also apply to other types of products and services, and even organizations themselves. Interaction design defines the behavior (the “interaction”) of an artifact or system in response to its users.
So, according to both definitions:
- Should we declare an User Interface Designer as an hybrid between traditional graphic design and interaction design?
- Should be User Interface Design an exclusive term for HCI people?
Finally, what the hell should I write in my business card?
I’m waiting for your comments, that’s the idea ;)