Today on Radio Johnny, Jeff Parks talks with Debra Gelman, User Experience Lead at Comcast Interactive. Debra shares key guidelines for designing for children; how these experiences can assist all designers in creating more effective online experiences for adults; as well as ways to create engaging social media interactions for children.

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The concept of social objects is pretty widely used in social interaction design, but we’re missing a solid definition of what social objects are. Or, whether they really even exist. … »

If interaction design really is the business of behaviour change I believe this must apply two ways. While it’s true that design can influence users and engender cultural change, this is always a product of our more tangible work: changing the behaviour of technology. As a user-centred designer of technology my goal is simple: to make its behaviour humane. But how should I approach this? … »

During the E3 2009 expo, which was held from the 2nd to the 5th of June, Microsoft presented Project Natal. The project brings human-computer interaction without an electronic input device to the masses. By capturing your full body movement and your voice (and being able of doing this for several people at the same time) it brings gameplay to an entirely new level. … »

And so it ends… after four days the Interaction’09 conference is over. At the moment we’re enjoying a drink at a bar and just finished up this last report. We’re pretty tired, but also extremely satisfied and inspired. It has been a great experience, which was openly shared with 456 other interaction designers. We’re off to bed, and you are going to read our pretty report. … »

Time is going fast… we’re already past 75% of Interaction’09. Today was a day full of totally different presentations. It varied from very energizing keynotes to short boring presentations (we didn’t write about them :). In between the sessions we’ve been rushing in order to do some interviews with Mark Baskinger and Jared Spool, but you’ll see those results later. For now: check out todays report. … »

On this second day at Interaction’09 the hardcore interaction designers (us) attended the last workshops. After this the actual conference started. The opening keynote was done by John Thackara, after which Jared Spool made his six friends discuss several topics. And hardcore as we are, here is the report… (and I’m off to bed). … »

Today one of the best UX events in the world started; interaction09 in Vancouver. For four days more than 400 interaction designers huddle together in order to get inspired on the field of interaction design. Of course we sacrificed ourselves and traveled to Vancouver just to give you a ‘live’ report. For the next four days you can read our thoughts and observations. … »

Do you know about phenomenology? If you’re an interaction designer, you should. It’s a branch of philosophy that will change the way you work, especially if you’re used to the idea of ‘invisible interfaces’. But it’s highly likely you don’t, as up until now phenomenology has been one of academia’s best kept secrets. I hope to change that by giving you a quick guide to this thought provoking field and its relevance to interaction design. … »

Musical instruments have been around for centuries. Mankind has always had songs and music around to entertain themselves. But in this century of digital interactions, multi-touch interfaces and self centered design we can’t just blow on a wooden flute or play with some strings. So we at Johnny Holland Magazine decided it was time to present to you: the next generation of musical instruments. … »