Media: UCD should make way for ACD

Available in "Interactions", 12. 4, (July + August, 2005 pp 14-19) and also on the author's own site, linked below, is "Human-Centered Design Considered Harmful".

Don Norman writes: 'Human-Centered Design has become such a dominant theme in design that it is now accepted by interface and application designers automatically, without thought, let alone criticism. That’s a dangerous state — when things are treated as accepted wisdom. The purpose of this essay is to provoke thought, discussion, and reconsideration of some of the fundamental principles of Human-Centered Design. These principles, I suggest, can be helpful, misleading, or wrong. At times, they might even be harmful. Activity-Centered Design is superior.'

To those of you familiar with the work of the Activity Theorists, this may sound like another example of Don Norman's talent at appropriating. But he does give credit: 'Do note the emphasis on the word "activity" as opposed to "task." There is a subtle difference. I use the terms in a hierarchical fashion. At the highest levels are activities, which are comprised of tasks, which themselves are comprised of actions, and actions are made up of operations. The hierarchical structure comes from my own brand of "Activity Theory," heavily motivated by early Russian and Scandinavian research.'

Associated Link: jnd.org: Human-Centered Design Considered Harmful

All change at the top for System Concepts
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Leslie Fountain has been promoted to joint Managing Director of leading usability consultancy System Concepts.

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Interfaces Magazine - Issue 79: The Education Issue
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The latest issue of Interfaces is now available as a free download from the Interaction Website.

Two new Behavioural research Tools from Noldus
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Cell Phones that Listen and Learn
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Top Six Don’ts for Usability Testing
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Usability: ‘Lovely software. But I can’t work it’
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It's all about 'meaningful use'.

Glossy monitors look good but can hurt
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