Information as an Aesthetic Event
Abstract:
How do designers of information technology understand the interaction between the users and devices? How do they design user interfaces? In this article I will analyze the recent shift in information technology design. Contrary to ten years ago, today the designers no longer try to make the interfaces invisible. Instead, the interaction is treated as an event - as opposed to "non-event", as in the previous "invisible interface" paradigm. Put differently, using personal information devices is now conceived as a carefully orchestrated experience, rather than only a means to an end. I will discuss different aspects of this new interface paradigm using the examples of OSX, LG Chocolate, and iPhone.