The Art of Interactive Design: A Euphonious & Illuminating Guide to Building Successful Software

by Chris Crawford

An understanding of what makes things interactive is key to the successful creation of websites, computer games, and software. In The Art of Interactive Design, Chris Crawford explains what interactivity is, how it works, why it's important, and how to design good software and websites that are truly interactive. Crawford's colloquial, conversational style makes it easy to grasp the fundamentals and the theoretical underpinnings of interactivity, as he discusses specific social and artistic issues.

Genres: Design, Game Design, Nonfiction

408 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2002

Reviews

[Chick Foxgrover · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are still things I remember from when I first read it and was just getting started in the nineties.

[Kars · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading this a long time ago around the time when I had just graduated from art school and was getting into interaction design professionally. Crawford uses the metaphor of a conversation to talk about interaction and it has stuck with me ever since. Oh irony—one of the most useful books on interaction design is written by a game designer.

[Don Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good advise and ideas for programmers
"The interactivity designer who lacks a strong sense of playfulness is like the man who has mastered pelvic gymnastics but cannot love."