Experiences: Cross-Channel Experiences

The practice of user experience lacks the historical pedigree of many of its constituent elements, including human/computer interaction, library science, social-science research methods, product-development methodology, and, most of all, design. What it does enjoy, however, is a pragmatic, multidisciplinary approach that encompasses the intertwined social, economic, and technological forces it engages. It’s a contingent amalgamation—an assembly of what works—and a set of perspectives and problem-solving techniques that define how we, as practitioners, think about creating products and services.

Sometimes this fact is lost upon us in the rush of day-to-day work.

The UX community, broadly construed, has done a fairly decent job of building real economic value over the last decade—to say nothing of producing artwork, developing communication vehicles, and distributing information. The fact that user experience does work tends to obscure the primary reason why it works: consistently flexible adaptation. User experience is a discipline that expects unending change, dramatic technological innovation, and unanticipated consequences. We thrive on remix, mashup, and appropriation and use them to help solve the issues that arise from employing these very same techniques. Read More

When I heard that a movie version of Into the Woods was coming out, I was so excited! I loved the musical and figured the story was strong enough that it couldn’t be a bad movie. And, honestly, it didn’t matter, because I am enough of a fan that I was going to see it—no matter what. Plus, with Meryl Streep as the witch, how could they go wrong?

Of course, I saw the movie on its opening day—and I was pleasantly surprised. More than that, actually—I thought it was a fantastic translation from stage to big screen. What made the movie so enjoyable had to do with more than just the great story, the sensational acting, or even the humor and witty dialogue. The production took full advantage of the benefits that the medium of film offers—in combination with the core, strong story lines—to realize the greatest potential of Into the Woods. Read More