The art of interactive design:
Chapter One of “The Art of Interactive Design,” Chris Crawford uses the example of conversation to explain the importance of feedback. He points out that just like in a conversation between people, where you expect immediate and relevant responses to keep the dialogue going, interactive systems also need to provide clear and timely feedback to keep users engaged.
Applying this idea to my artwork or interactive sketch, I should think of the system as if it were another person in a conversation with the user. If the system doesn’t respond quickly or appropriately, it’s like talking to someone who doesn’t reply or doesn’t give useful responses. This would make the interaction feel disconnected and less interesting.
In my p5.js sketch with bubbles, if the outer circles don’t react well to user interactions, it’s like having a conversation partner who ignores what you say. For example, if the outer bubbles don’t clearly expand or contract in response to user actions, or if clicking on a bubble doesn’t produce a visible effect, it would be frustrating for users. They wouldn’t get the feedback they need to understand what’s happening or adjust their actions.
To improve this, I should make sure that the artwork responds clearly and promptly to user actions, just like a good conversation partner would. This means making the outer bubbles change size in a noticeable way when interacted with, and adding visual or sound effects when bubbles are clicked. This approach makes the system feel more alive and engaging, similar to how a lively conversation keeps people interested and involved.