[Sigia-l] NYC-CHI 29 Jan, 6-8PM: Antenna Design Case Studies/NYC Subway Vending Machines

[Christopher Fahey [askrom]]

David Heller wrote.
> I'm sorta pissed when we can't be critical w/o being attacking. I'm
> sorry Ziya, you are usually very good at this, but both you and
> Christopher Fahey I feel overstepped the line between heuristic
> professional criticism and just being rude. 

Hey, wait! I didn't say anything rude or attacking. I suggest you
re-read my post (attached below).

I totally agree that it is too-often hard to take pride in something
that is constrained by process considerations and systemic problems
beyond one's control. Ziya's comments ("shouldn't be too proud") stung
me when I read them, too. I know that everything from time and budget
constraints all the way to incompetant or obstinate colleagues and
clients can prevent a good design from becoming a great one. This might
be why nobody in this community ever posts a link to a site they have
just completed.

Anyway, I believe my original comment about Antenna's work, while
critical of the interface itself, was sympathetic with Antenna's likely
design constraints and pretty up front about this very issue in general.


-Cf

[christopher eli fahey]
art: http://www.graphpaper.com
sci: http://www.askrom.com
biz: http://www.behaviordesign.com


------------------------------------------
>>  NYC CHI's NEXT MEETING: 
>>  Wednesday, 29 January, 6-8PM; program starts at 6:30PM
>>  Antenna Design: Case Studies, including the NYC Subway Ticket
Vending
>>  Machines
> 
> 
> Some suggested preliminary reading for this event:
> 
>      http://www.pinds.com/ui-rants/metrocard
> 
> I thought (in my aesthetic gut) that the MetroCard machines were
> absolutely *brilliant* - until I read this! Now I can't use one
without
> groaning about the superfluous language selection screen, the lack of
> "down" states for the buttons, etc, etc. Now I can only see it as a
> triumph of "usable-looking" design over usable design. I see missed
> opportunities on every screen. It makes me wonder to what degree
Antenna
> (who I have the greatest respect for) was "skinning" an inflexible
> programmer-designed interface. 
> 
> Should be an interesting evening with these great designers.
> 
> -Cf
> 
> [christopher eli fahey]
> art: http://www.graphpaper.com
> sci: http://www.askrom.com
> biz: http://www.behaviordesign.com