Thoughts on Interaction Design (Perfect Paperback)

~ Jon Kolko (Author)
Key Phrases: poetic interaction, fidelity data, embodied interaction, Interaction Design, Carnegie Mellon University, Connecting People (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

... Kolko referenced all of the right bibles, from the aforementioned Dreyfuss and Norman to visual thinkers like Edward Tufte. His work is erudite, expressive and ably explains the field of interaction design using academic references, historical precedent and real world examples. Kolko also writes with just the right amount of indignation at the problems inherent in a traditional manufacturing flow. ... while Thoughts is a solid resource for designers, it is less important for designers to read than it is for us to proselytize and to try to pass a dog-eared copy up through middle management and hopefully all the way to the CEO. --Robert Blinn, core77

Review

People are clamoring for more copies of Thoughts on Interaction Design. It is one of two key books on interaction design practice that are of relevance to students and practicing interaction designers alike." Jodi Forlizzi, Associate Professor of HCII and Design, Carnegie Mellon University

"This book occupies alone a special place on the designer's bookshelf; it is truly a unique and lusciously written book that also benefits from being well-designed in its own right." -- Will Evans, Principal, Experience Design, Twin Technologies

"The major strength of the book is its success in rendering theoretical content in an accessible way. The book delivers a healthy measure of critical thinking about the field of Interaction Design in a readable, conversational style." -- Bill Lucas, MAYA Design

"Thoughts on Interaction Design became an instant classic. The 1,000 original bound copies of the book are treasured possessions of everyone lucky enough to have been able to purchase one." -- Steve Baty, editor for Johnny Holland magazine, a contributor to UX Matters

"This book has an eloquent and clear way of communicating the context for interaction design both in theory and in application, outlining its relative place in business, academia, and in practice. - Liz Danzico, Chair of the MFA in Interaction Design program at the School of Visual Arts

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 155 pages
• Publisher: Brown Bear LLC (March 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0978853806
• ISBN-13: 978-0978853808
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #792,674 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chicken Soup for the Designer's Soul, August 5, 2007

By	Chapman E. Ambrose "Nonprofit Designer" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As an interaction designer trying to find my place in the world, I typically am the sole designer on a team or the single designer in an organization. I enjoy evangelizing the power of design, however, feeling like you have to constantly explain and justify your existence can become tiresome.

Whenever I forget that other designers exist or feel like the ugly duckling among swans, I pick up this book and am reenergized knowing other people like me are out there. I'm a part of a larger community of passionate people who care about this stuff.

Jon's book is good at making me feel normal again and giving me the language to explain this fire I have to make the world better and help people in need.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Proud student., May 15, 2007

By	Alex C. Kim (Savannah, GA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I think this book does a beautiful job of explaining the intricacies and broad ideas of the field of Interaction Design (which is ironically appropriate for the subject matter). It often seems that the current identity of Interaction Design has gained ambiguity, however the representation given in these essays is a very up to date and accurate description.
I feel this book would be greatly appreciated by anyone who is interested in or is currently involved with Interaction Design or Industrial Design. A definite must read for any students involved with these fields (as I am one myself).
The collaboration of writing from other designers provides a great perspective on the current industry. Honest and straight-forward, this puts a refreshing emphasis on the humanistic values of design. Great job Jon, I look forward to what you do with the next project ;).

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Just tought it through the history lesson and then... WOW, April 25, 2008

By	J. Brutto "~ RevOf11" (Macungie, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The first part of this text is a little boring, unnecessary and a bit of a bear to get through. It's valuable to know and start off with (so don't get me wrong), but it just doesn't seem like it has a place in this book.

However... after that...

After that's it's pretty well all gold, but just a few scratches on the surface. The reflections and reviews provide some great "jewels of information" that you can carry with you and reflect on in your own experience. After working for what is approaching 7 years working for ISVs I can see my experiences in direct alignment with some things presented. I can also see some things that I am headed for. The stories provided in the "accumulated" areas are relevant, well chosen and entertaining.

This book really does focus well and provides a wonderful balance between the academic world, it's views, etc. and the business/real world's point of views in the same area.

So what are the "scratches" I spoke about? Well... while it has a decent flow, it doesn't follow its own advice. I'm sure that after reading a couple more related texts, I will forget which pieces of wisdom were reflected explicitly in this book. It has great information but does nothing to really encapsulate you.

I will be recommending this to a various set of people in the ISV world from CTO/CIO to Product Management and all the way down to the Architecture Engineers.