Ten years of the ‘Real World’ Column from the SIGCHI Bulletin

"I have enjoyed your Real World Column; we need more of these to demonstrate the impact of design on everyday people, everyday activities."
Don Norman

"A fascinating collection of mini-essays reflecting on the technology around us and the ways in which it can either frustrate or delight us. Lon Barfield writes with a keen eye and a light touch resulting in a book that is as entertaining as it is insightful. It is really fun to read and beautifully laid out."
Abigail Sellen (Microsoft Research)

"The column didn't turn out the way I had anticipated; in fact it turned out better. It is great that Lon Barfield has collected the columns – and added to them – to create this book."
Steven Pemberton (Editor of 'Interactions Magazine', former editor 'SIGCHI Bulletin')

Ten years ago the author started writing the popular ‘Real World’ column for the SIGCHI bulletin (the ACM magazine for interaction designers). It was a column observing everyday interactions in both real and digital environments.

This book contains fifty of those columns, covering such fundamental topics as:
• Switching things on and off
• Choosing correct terminology for interfaces
• Volume controls
• Annoying sounds coming from alarm-clocks
• Making the ideal slice of toast

They have been gathered together, along with extra sections on observing the real world and a number of new columns. The book is both entertaining and enlightening. Lecturers will find it a good supplement to any course dealing with designing for people, while industrial and digital designers can learn from the observations and insights it contains. The content is an inspirational resource for interaction designers, web designers, architects, industrial designers and anybody who has ever said ‘Who on earth designed that?!’

This book is published by Bosko Books 2004. (ISBN: 0954723910)

View the online version of the real world columns