Stephen P. Anderson, design leader, discusses transforming information for better understanding. Topics include distributed thinking, cognitive environments, interface design in spacecraft cockpits, and tools for overcoming challenges.
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Quick takeaways
Designing cognitive environments involves considering external resources for enhanced understanding.
Adapting workshops for remote settings requires creating interactions that promote reflection and learning over time.
User-centered design should prioritize fostering learning and mental models over mere ease of use.
Deep dives
Steven P. Anderson's Transition from Design Work to Workshops and Facilitation
Steven P. Anderson shares his journey from being a high school English teacher to entering the design field by creating handouts and album covers. Over time, he shifted from focusing on the visual aspects of design to considering usability, information architecture, and human behavior. Anderson discusses his evolution into workshop facilitation and workforce learning, highlighting the importance of creating conditions for collective learning and collaboration.
Rethinking Cognitive Processes in Environments like the Cockpit of an Airliner
Anderson explores the concept of distributed cognition, emphasizing that thinking is not confined to the brain but extends to one's environment and tools. Using examples like rearranging Scrabble tiles and solving math problems, he demonstrates how external resources play a crucial role in cognitive processes. He underscores the significance of designing environments, like workshops, that promote collaborative thinking and exchange of ideas.
Challenges and Opportunities of Transitioning to Remote Workshops
Reflecting on the shift to remote workshops, Anderson discusses the need to adapt traditional workshop formats to online settings. He highlights the importance of creating interactions that facilitate reflection and learning over time. By structuring workshops in shorter, spaced-out sessions, he aims to enhance participants' understanding and engagement. While acknowledging the limitations of online workshops, Anderson sees opportunities for new approaches and improved learning outcomes.
The Balance Between User-Centered Design and Creating Understanding Through Friction
Anderson addresses the misconception of equating user-centered design solely with ease of use. He raises concerns about oversimplification leading to a lack of cognitive challenge and understanding. By contrasting design solutions that provide clear answers versus those that foster learning and mental models, Anderson advocates for incorporating beneficial friction. He prompts readers to consider the implications of outsourcing understanding and the value of designing for deeper comprehension.
Transforming Email and Information Interaction Through Design Thinking
In highlighting the multifaceted nature of email interactions, Anderson encourages a shift in designing email experiences based on varied user needs. Drawing parallels to conversational, passive reading, and transactional email interactions, he underscores the importance of tailored designs for distinctive purposes. By examining design elements within email services, such as communication and information management, Anderson emphasizes the relevance of designing experiences that align with users' cognitive processes and activities.
My guest today is Stephen P. Anderson. Stephen is a design leader who is focused on workforce learning and organizational development. He and Karl Fast recently published Figure it Out, a new book about how we can transform information to increase understanding. This is also the subject of our conversation; I hope you find it valuable.