A Review of About Face 2.0

September 16th, 2005

About Face 2.0: The Essentials of Interaction Design, by Alan Cooper and Robert Reimann is not merely a 500 page book of design ideas. It is the compilation of years of real-world software interface design (or interaction design) and consulting research. While addressing the well-known problems resulting from a programmatic approach to interface design, Cooper and Reimann propose the Goal-Directed design method as the solution.

Programmatic interface design is the translation of Boolean logic into visual form. Unlike programmers, users think in terms of tasks and are motivated by a goal. They do not enjoy making choices without a clear sense of how to complete a task and achieve a goal. The result of this design approach is a confused and frustrated end-user. Goal-Directed design is a method that takes the user’s needs into account at every step of the software development process.

About Face 2.0 is a wide-ranging labor of love that addresses the entire software research and development. Topics covered in-depth include:

Implementation models and mental modes
Usability research
Translating goals into design
Software design best practices
Visual design principles
User interaction and controls
Communicating with users via error messages and other feedback devices
The installation process
Designing for the Web
Designing for embedded systems such as cell phones and handheld devices, kiosks, and smart appliances

The chapter on designing for the Web is of interest to me because it applies the principals of interaction design to the creation of Web sites and Web applications. The authors tackle eight myths about Web design and discuss the difference between static Web page design and the creation of interactive Web applications. Their central point is that developing Web applications requires the same rigorous research and development process as software development for the desktop computer.

Recommendation: Since About Face 2.0 is such a detailed work, it is not an easy read. Don’t get me wrong, the writing is superb, the illustrations aid comprehension, and the content is relevant to any Web application developer. In fact, the main principles of interaction design can be applied to any interactive design project. Because of this, the book is a worthy read for any Web or multimedia designer. Just be sure to set aside adequate time for both reading and reflection and be ready to have your basic assumptions about design challenged!

The book is available for purchase from the publisher at Wiley.com

Title: About Face 2.0: The Essentials of Interaction Design
Authors: Alan Cooper and Robert Reimann
Publisher: Wiley Publishing, Inc.
ISBN: 0764526413
Date: 2003
Format: Paperback
Pages: 540
Cover Price: USD: $35.00 CDN: $52.99 UK: ?24.50