The readings this week focused on interfaces, and there was a lot of focus on how interface design shapes the user experience. Certain pieces even attempted to determine the fundamentals of interface design, which could be referenced regardless of how innovative the designer chooses to be with the interface. None of the articles really use language that restricts the concept of “interface” to operating systems and webpages, and we did see examples of creative interfaces with “The Knotted Line” and “Freedom’s Ring,” which experimented with layout and multimedia use. However, advances in technology have created the potential for interfaces with less obvious “surfaces” that often require an even greater degree of interaction.
I found an article that describes several different examples of next-generation interfaces, many of which employ a tactile component. Some of the technology discussed is already fairly prevalent, but almost none of it seems capable of replacing more traditional interfaces. Certain examples, like gesture interfaces and brain-computer interfaces, seem like they would never be able to deliver consistent results while others, like the Tangible User Interface and wearable computer, seem to improve very little on what is already available.
The article posits that the development of different user interfaces helps to create a more immersive computing environment. But it could be challenging to find routine uses for some of these interfaces. Even “smart watches,” which seem to be the most ubiquitous of the listed interfaces, are fairly limited to displaying email notifications and the day’s weather. In a way, the issues that can come up in adapting next-generation interfaces for commercial use are reflected in people’s reactions to the two websites we were supposed to explore for this week’s reading.
“The Knotted Line” especially was visually very interesting, and while the content was probably equally important, I do not think I was alone in finding navigation of the site challenging and the content difficult to access. While a more stimulating interface seems to complement a virtual exhibit like “The Knotted Line,” its interface would probably not be adapted for a website that is intended for more regular use. I am sure there are examples of creative and interactive design elements successfully integrated on less thought-provoking platforms, maybe even on a smaller scale, but I have difficulty believing that some of these interfaces would be accepted for mainstream use.