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I Summary 29

most useful in evaluating the device. Decide which are the most important ones and
explain why.
(c) Translate the core usability and user experience goals you have selected into two or
three questions. Then use them to assess how well your device fares (e.g., Usability
goals. What specific mechanisms have been used to ensure safety? How easy is it to
learn? User experience goals: Is it fun to use? Does the user get frustrated easily? If
so, why?).
(d) Repeat (b) and (c) for design concepts and usability principles (again choose a rele-
vant set).
(e) Finally, discuss possible improvements to the interface based on your usability
evaluation.

Summary

In this chapter we have looked at what interaction design is and how it has evolved. We ex-
amined briefly its makeup and the various processes involved. We pointed out how the no-
tion of usability is fundamental to interaction design. This was explained in some detail,
describing what it is and how it is operationalized to assess the appropriateness, effective-
ness, and quality of interactive products. A number of high-level design principles were also
introduced that provide different forms of guidance for interaction design.