The role of context in information architecture

On Sunday I published an article in Boxes and Arrows titled Deep Context which deals with the issue of context dependency in information architecture. (I’m taking cues from Edward Hall’s Beyond Culture for my arguments.)

This article has sparked an interesting discussion about the role of context in design. I’m interested in hearing as many viewpoints as possible on these subjects, I invite you to check it out.

Posted on March 14, 2007
Filed Under Design | Leave a Comment

Blocked in China?

I’m really hoping that this blog will serve as a valuable resource to designers all over the world. However, it appears that Chinese designers will be left out: according to greatfirewallofchina.org, Design Across Cultures is blocked and cannot be accessed from within China. (You, too, can test your site.)

Given the amount of design activity going on in China, and the cultural challenges that face designers, clients, and users, designing in and for China, I’d really like for Chinese designers to participate in this conversation. There is very little (if any) political content in this site, and I’m planning to have it remain that way. How do I go about getting this site “allowed” through the firewall?

Posted on March 5, 2007
Filed Under Politics | Leave a Comment

An ethnography primer

AIGA, in collaboration with Cheskin, has published a primer that helps designers use ethnography as a tool to empathize with their audience:

Great design always connects with people. Designers inspire, provoke, validate, entertain and provide utility for people. To truly connect, designers need to have compassion and empathy for their audiences. Designers need to understand the relationship between what they produce and the meaning their product has for others. And they need to observe the people they are designing for in their own environments.

Posted on March 5, 2007
Filed Under Strategies | Leave a Comment

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