Reading 1: A Brief Rant on the Future of Interaction Design
Bret Victor’s “A Brief Rant on the Future of Interaction Design” challenges the prevailing notion that touchscreens represent the pinnacle of user interface design. He critiques the “Pictures Under Glass” paradigm, highlighting how it neglects the tactile and manipulative capabilities of human hands. Victor emphasizes that our hands are not just for pointing and tapping but are essential tools for feeling and manipulating our environment. He argues that current interfaces fail to leverage these capabilities, leading to a diminished user experience. This perspective prompts a reevaluation of how we design technology, suggesting that future interfaces should engage more deeply with our physical senses to create more intuitive and effective tools.
Reading 2: Follow-Up
In the follow-up responses to his rant, Victor addresses common criticisms and clarifies his intentions. He acknowledges that his piece was meant to highlight a problem rather than provide a solution, aiming to inspire further research into more tactile and dynamic interfaces. Victor compares the current state of technology to early black-and-white photography—revolutionary at the time but lacking in certain dimensions. He encourages exploration into areas like deformable materials and haptic holography, emphasizing the need for interfaces that can be seen, felt, and manipulated. I feel like this response reinforces the idea that while current technologies have their merits, there is significant room for innovation that more fully engages our human capabilities.