Activity-centered design
Encyclopedia
Activity-centered design (ACD), which is an approach to interaction design
, does not focus on the goals and preferences of the user
, but on how users behave when performing particular tasks. Activities can be defined as actions and decisions that are done for a purpose. They can be easy and fast, or hard and time consuming. Examples range from making a sandwich to learning a language
. The activity stops when the person performing it, or an outside force, ends it. A cello
is a product that was designed using activity-centered design.
When working with activity-centered design, the designers use research
to get insights of the users. Observations and interviews are typical approaches to learn more about the users behavior
. By mapping users' activities and tasks the designer may notice missing tasks for the activity to become more easy to perform, and thus design solutions to accomplish those tasks.
Interaction design
In design, human–computer interaction, and software development, interaction design, often abbreviated IxD, is "the practice of designing interactive digital products, environments, systems, and services." Like many other design fields interaction design also has an interest in form but its main...
, does not focus on the goals and preferences of the user
User
User may refer to:* User , one who employs the services provided by a telecommunication system* User , one who uses drugs* User * End-user, one who uses a product in economics and commerce...
, but on how users behave when performing particular tasks. Activities can be defined as actions and decisions that are done for a purpose. They can be easy and fast, or hard and time consuming. Examples range from making a sandwich to learning a language
Language
Language may refer either to the specifically human capacity for acquiring and using complex systems of communication, or to a specific instance of such a system of complex communication...
. The activity stops when the person performing it, or an outside force, ends it. A cello
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
is a product that was designed using activity-centered design.
When working with activity-centered design, the designers use research
Research
Research can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...
to get insights of the users. Observations and interviews are typical approaches to learn more about the users behavior
Behavior
Behavior or behaviour refers to the actions and mannerisms made by organisms, systems, or artificial entities in conjunction with its environment, which includes the other systems or organisms around as well as the physical environment...
. By mapping users' activities and tasks the designer may notice missing tasks for the activity to become more easy to perform, and thus design solutions to accomplish those tasks.