Mood Board

Johnny Smith

John is a 75-year-old retired carpenter who still enjoys hikes in national parks and ridding his Harley-Davidson. He looks forward to the local club raffle and a catch up with the boys on a Thursday evening. He also enjoys playing bingo, listening to local radio and watching old western movies with his wife Jill. As he gets older and has to visit the hospital more often, he prefers quick and efficient healthcare with simple, bold instructions and hospital signs. He aims to enjoy the rest of his life traveling a little and spending time with family, especially his grandchildren.

• Location: Hobart
• Toaster Usage: Unfortunately Johnny has never used a fancy new electric toaster
  
• Computer/Internet Usage: PC, Occasionally browses the Internet with the help of his grandchildren.
  
• Computer Skill: Novice user. Finds things too complicated on the computer to use. Has an email but doesn’t know how to use it properly.
  

Planning Tools!

Making toast!

A step by step guide displaying how prepare toast:

Start

1. Place toaster on a flat surface
2. Plug the toaster into a power outlet
3. Turn the power switch on
4. Insert slices of bread into slots
5. Set toaster settings
6. Press down the toaster plunger
7. When bread pops back up, check if the toast is brown/toasted enough? (Yes: Proceed to step 8, No: Repeat from step 5)
8. Once it is done, let the toast cool down
9. Remove toast from toaster
10. Pack, clean up and enjoy toast
    

Finish

Flowcharts are planning tools for interaction which involve symbols to help explain the process rather then just a step by step guide
Flowchart guide on preparing toast:

Another planning tool for interaction are storyboards which include images to help with the process
Storyboard for preparing toast:

Consume Some Information & Follow Some Instructions!

Informational Design Examples

• Blogger/Wordpress
  Blogger and Wordpress are both online blog publishing applications. The services allow people to provide information using text, graphics and/or videos for the public to view. Blogs can be used to present both personal, social or even business related information.
• Podcasts
  Designed by Apple for their iPod products, podcasts are audio and/or video broadcasts which are syndicated via an RSS feed. It allows users to subscribe and download audio and/or video broadcasts using the internet.
• Powerpoint presentations
  Powerpoint is program designed to allow slideshows which provide information in the form of a slide presentation. Images can be used to aid the information whilst providing a visually appealling presentation.

Instructional Design Examples

• Online Kiosks
  Online kiosks are interactive instructional design systems designed to allow users to browse tthe websites for information as well as access or upload information. Bank companies such as Commonwealth Bank tend to operate their websites using online kiosks so that people can access their banking information online.
• Manuals
  Manuals can be designed using various mediums such as websites or CD/DVD-ROMs. They are designed to both share information and display instructions. Online manuals can be found all over the internet for different reasons and often provides step by step instructions.
  

Informational Vs. Instructional

Informational Design!

Informational design is the skill and practice of organizing information so that users can understand and use it with efficiency and effectiveness. Informational design takes into consideration how effective information is communicated to the target audience rather then the aesthetics of design. A good design is important to make sure the information is easy to understand and well communicated to users. The aim of Info design is simply making information as effective as possible.

Instructional Design!

Instructional design is the practice of creating instructional tools and content to assist in learning effectively. The aim of instructional design is to make instructions as effective, efficient and appealing as possible. Instructional designers need to take into consideration, various interactive medias to help improve and fulfill the designs objectives.

Let's Get Interactive

Interactive Design Examples

Interactive design isn't only limited to the web and computing technologies and can also be implemented into numerous other forms of technology including mobile phones and video games. Although in relation to computers and the web based mediums, examples can be broken down into a number of different applications such as web design, electronic learning and flash.

• Web Design (http://www.fridaymedia.com.au/)
  Web design involves creating web pages. The aim of web design is to present information in the form of a website. Web design can be described as the visual content displayed on a website, designed for viewing by target audiences. There are numerous elements of web design used by a web designer to control how information is displayed on a browser. The main element of web design is referred to as HTML or HyperText Markup Language.
  
  
• Flash (http://www.addictinggames.com)
  Flash design can include flash websites or flash games. Certain websites are designed using flash which involves graphic videos and vectors. Flash games are electronic video games which can be played using a browser. The games are usually run on Web 2.0 based plug ins such as Java or Flash Player
  
  
• Electronic Learning (http://elearning.uws.edu.au)
  Electronic based learning is an educational supported technology designed to allow users to learn from almost anywhere at anytime using a computer and the web.