Here are three examples of Web 2.0...
Flickr
www.flickr.com
Flickr is a Web 2.0 that allows its users to upload and share images.
YouTube
www.youtube.com
Youtube is a Web 2.0 that allows its users to upload and share videos.
www.facebook.com
Facebook is a Web 2.0 that allows its users to interact with eachother through a social network. Users create profiles and can then interact with eachother through it by uploading and sharing photos, videos, personal posts and comments, chat, and joining of various groups.
Interaction Design
Interaction design is the study of devices with which a user (computer users in particular) can interact. The practice typically centers around embedding information technology into the ambient social ocmplexities of the physical world. It can also apply to other types of non-electronic product and services, and even organisations. Interaction design defines the behavious of an artifact or system in response to users.
"As a consequence of pervasive computing, interaction design is poised to become one of the main liberal arts of the twenty-first century." - Malcolm McCullough
Here are a few examples of great web design...
We Love Sounds is a winter musive festival that is advertised through this website which is clearly navigated and well designed. The tabs in the top right of the page allow the user to navigate through the various cities the festival will be located. The list down the left of the page create an easily accessible path to the various areas of the website.
www.welovesounds.com.au
Russh Magazine is an obscure fashion magazine which is sucessfully mirrored within their website design. They have taken a very plain and simple approach with their layout and type, but made up for the simplicity with their unique fashion photography and images. Navigation is made very straightforward for users with this simple design.
www.russhmagazine.com.au
General Pants co. is a popular Australian clothing store which has made online shopping possible through this website. With the use of a direct and straightforward list, navigating the website is made effortless.
www.generalpants.com.au
Information design
Information Design has one main aim and that is to make information as effective as possible. In order to be as effective as possible, information must carefully balance a variety of factors, including, clarity, relevance, timeliness, amplitude, volume, and differentiation. Information Design is geared toward information solutions in general but it is also particularly relevant in providing excellent direction for Web development. Information Design is critical to better Web development as it clarifies goals and objectives, provides a broader context, balances the various specialties that participate in Web development and focuses on the dynamic nature of strong Web development.
I find it important to note that Information design for the Web has changed. The way people use online information is changing. The social nature of the Web brings with it an expectation of interaction with information and modern Web design is reflecting that. Alternate forms of navigation are now available including the ability to browse by user, tag clouds, tabbed navigation etc. Advances in technology along with these shifts in user expectations are affecting the way that information is laid out on a web page.
Today’s websites are aiming for intuitive and usable interfaces which are continuously evolving in response to user needs. Website designers are approaching information design differently and designing simple, interactive websites which incorporate advancements in Web interface design, current Web philosophies, and user needs. Information design for the New Web is simple, it is social, and it embraces alternate forms of navigation.
Here are a few examples of simple and effective Information design within the web…
www.apple.com.au
Apple Website
The new trend of simplicity of web application functionality is mirrored in the design and style of today’s webpages. Successful Information design on the web is eliminating the unnecessary while presenting a clean and simple interface for visitors. They are attempting to engage the attention of Web users by drawing their eye to what is important, rather than trying to provide them with everything under the sun.
Many of the New Web design changes have been influenced by the stylistic tendencies of Apple and the Mac OSX interface.
www.wayfaring.com
Wayfaring Website
Through the use of Simple Icons the information within the website is clear and easy to navigat to. The large and simple icons represent actions which can be taken by the user.
Just a few years ago it was ridiculous to think that you could combine any set of information with a map of the world and allow your website visitors to zoom into street level and even get a satellite photo of the area. But mapping capabilities are becoming a commonplace and integral part of the user experience today. And they are something that users are coming to expect.
Resources
Websites
Information Design Principles For Web 2.0 Design: Simple & Social, Robin Good on Wednesday, October 17 2007, updated on Friday, October 24 2008
http://www.masternewmedia.org/information_design/information-design-principles/web-20-design-simple-social-design-components-20071017.htm
current style in graphic design for the web, Scratchmedia Limited, 2009
Floor 3, 111 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0WQ, UK
+44 (0)207 1600 989
http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/web-design/current-style.php
The information design approach to web development, By Dirk Knemeyer, Published on May 21, 2003
http://www.digital-web.com/articles/the_information_design_approach_to_web_development/
Books
Handbook of Research on Web 2.0, 3.0, and X.0: Technologies, Business, and Social Applications", San Murugesan (Editor)'http://www.igi-global.com/reference/details.asp?id=34850, Information Science Research, Hershey – New York, October 2009, ISBN 978-1-60566-384-5
Articles
Understanding Web 2.0, San Murugesan, IEEE IT Professional, 2007, http://www.computer.org/portal/web/buildyourcareer/fa009
