Informational/Instructional Design

Definition
Information design is the skill and practice of preparing information so people can use it with efficiency and effectiveness. It is a way of explaining and interpreting complex and large amounts of information and data in a visual form to achieve an objective.

Examples

Toaster Storyboarding

Here is an example of storyboarding. The original (inactive) image comes into focus when a mouseover occurs (active).

Toaster Flowchart

Here is a simple flowchart running how to cook a piece of toast step by step.

Interactive Design

Definition
Interactive design defines the structure and behaviors of interactive products and services, and user interactions with those products and services.

Good interactive design effectively communicates a system’s interactivity and functionality, defines behaviors that communicate a system’s responses to user interactions, reveals both simple and complex workflows, informs users about system state changes, and prevents user error.

Interactive design is grounded in an understanding of real users (goals, tasks, experiences, needs, and wants) and balances these needs with business goals and technological capabilities.

Reference: http://www.lukew.com/ff/entry.asp?327

Great Examples

Balthaser
http://www.balthaser.com/













EYE4U
http://www.eye4u.com/home/













Mouse Party
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/drugs/mouse.html













Potato Parade
http://www.potatoparade.co.uk/

Web 2.0

Definition
Web 2.0 describes an evolution of the World Wide Web from a system of ‘published’ websites to a second generation platform of social networking sites, communication tools, and web applications; it allows for a completely interactive adventure for both the user and millions of other users simultaneously. Web 2.0 may, in the future, replace desktop applications for many purposes, and has been successful in developing an overall greater online experience.

There are literally thousands of examples of sites based on the Web 2.0 ideals, here are a few.



Examples
Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/

Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/

Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/

Twitter
http://twitter.com/

Welcome

Hi everyone and welcome to my blog on Interactive Design. I hope this is as exciting for you as it is for me. Feel free to browse around, contribute, and most importantly, enjoy your stay.

Harry