[Sigia-l] unemployed?

[Ziya Oz]

"Yazdi, Reza" wrote:

> So it's hard to know how fast the information will disseminate into
> other fields, and if the people in those fields can even be receptive to
> that information.

You'd be amazed. Ten years ago, I couldn't really have a terribly meaningful
conversation of any length on 'usability' with, say, a PowerBuilder or Lotus
developer. Today, the same guy (who's probably doing a web app) is far more
receptive to it, mostly because he has much more access to info, criticism,
examples, etc. His job review may depend on it, too.

Designers, I must say, have been much more open to and knowledgeable about
the same subject. Yes, new technologies such as DTP or the web drew in a
huge number of new-comers to the field, with expected results. But,
gradually, the quality bar rises and the floor is set at a higher level.

Today, 'usability' gets attention in the industry and the public at large.
This is obviously an opportunity for IAs. But what's to prevent designers
and developers to 'extend' their services and skill sets to cover the new
'pull'? Not all of it, of course, but a significant enough portion so that a
discreet IA position becomes not a necessity but a 'luxury' in many
projects.

Video and postproduction professionals of yesteryear, for example, have
learned a whole bunch about streaming, compression, specialized framing,
lighting, color correction for the new opportunities presented by webcasting
and interactive TV. The smart ones didn't leave the emerging online
opportunities to web newcomers; they adopted.

So things are in a flux. The dust hasn't settled. Bu those who think others
won't take advantage of the opportunities are only kidding themselves.

Best,

Ziya