What is interaction design? 5 dimensions.

Wat is interaction design?

Interaction design is about the dialogue between the user and the product. Every action the user takes (a tap, a drag, a scroll) triggers a response from the system, and designing those responses is what interaction design is all about. It’s not about how something looks, but how it behaves: that’s what it’s all about.

Interaction design versus UX en UI.

These three terms are often used interchangeably, even though they each refer to something different. UX is the broadest concept: the entire relationship between the user and the product. UI is about the visual design: colors, typography, buttons, and layout. Interaction design falls somewhere in between and focuses on behavior: what happens after an action and how that feels. In short: UI is how it looks, IxD is how it works and responds, and UX is the sum of it all.

The 5 Dimensions of Interaction Design.

A useful model for analyzing interaction design, developed by Gillian Crampton Smith (the first four) and supplemented by Kevin Silver (the fifth).

Words.

The labels and text that users interact with: button labels, instructions, error messages. A button labeled “Send” suggests a different action than one labeled “Place Order.” Words may be small, but they guide every action.

Visual representations.

Icons, images, and graphic elements that complement or replace text. A trash can icon conveys, without words, that you can delete something. Visual representations only work if they are recognizable; an original but unclear icon actually wastes the user’s time.

Physical objects and space.

The device and the action the user interacts with: a mouse, a touchscreen, a keyboard. Someone tapping on a phone needs different design choices than someone clicking with a mouse. The physical context helps determine what works.

Time.

Everything related to movement and duration: animations, transitions, and how long a notification stays on the screen. A short animation showing a panel opening helps the user understand what’s happening. Using time incorrectly (whether it’s too slow or too fast) can actually be counterproductive.

Behavior.

The system’s response to the user’s actions: feedback. When you click “Save,” it should be clear that the action was successful. Behavior ties the other four dimensions together into a seamless interaction.

Principles of Good Interaction Design.

In addition to the dimensions, there are principles that are common to every good design.

Feedback and visibility.

A user should always know what’s happening. An action without a response leaves them in the dark: Did it work? Do I need to click again? Good feedback confirms every action, and good visibility makes it clear at all times where you are and what you can do.

Consistency and affordance.

Consistency means that the same action produces the same result everywhere; this makes a product predictable and therefore easy to learn. Affordance is the property by which an element indicates how to use it: a button that looks like a button invites you to press it. Together, they ensure that a user can understand an interface without a manual.

What does an interaction designer do?

An interaction designer designs how a product behaves. This begins with understanding what the user wants to achieve and ends with detailed interactions: what feedback corresponds to which action, how menus and forms behave, and how the product guides the user step by step. The interaction designer works closely with UX and UI designers, but specializes in the product’s behavior.

Interaction design in maatwerk software.

In custom software, interaction design is often the deciding factor in adoption. A portal or application is used daily by people who want to do their jobs, not by visitors who are just browsing. If the interaction is flawed, it causes wasted time and frustration day after day. That’s why Cube designs interactions based on the task the user wants to complete, as part of UX and UI design at Cube. You can read about how this relates to what digital design entails and with responsive web design, you can read in the related articles.