Computers as Theatre
by Brenda Laurel
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Description
Brenda Laurel's Computers as Theatre revolutionized the field of human-computer interaction, offering ideas that inspired generations of interface and interaction designers-and continue to inspire them. Laurel's insight was that effective interface design, like effective drama, must engage the user directly in an experience involving both thought and emotion. Her practical conclusion was that a user's enjoyment must be a paramount design consideration, and this demands a deep awareness of show more dramatic theory and technique, both ancient and modern. Now, two decades later, Laurel has revised and revamped her influential work, reflecting back on enormous change and personal experience and forward toward emerging technologies and ideas that will transform human-computer interaction yet again. Beginning with a clear analysis of classical drama theory, Laurel explores new territory through the lens of dramatic structure and purpose. Computers as Theatre, Second Edition, is directed to a far wider audience, is written more simply and elegantly, is packed with new examples, and is replete with exciting and important new ideas. This book Draws lessons from massively multiplayer online games and systems, social networks, and mobile devices with embedded sensors Integrates values-driven design as a key principle Integrates key ideas about virtual reality Covers new frontiers, including augmented reality, distributed and participatory sensing, interactive public installations and venues, and design for emergence Once more, Brenda Laurel will help you see the connection between humans and computers as you never have before-and help you build interfaces and interactions that are pleasurably, joyously right! show lessTags
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Member Reviews
Academic framework for Human Computer Interaction that works its way out from theories of theatre. Not an easy read but a useful framework for anyone working in theory of HCI.
I feel the grounding in theatre ia one of the strongest for HCI and allows reaching back as far as Aristotle.
I feel the grounding in theatre ia one of the strongest for HCI and allows reaching back as far as Aristotle.
The idea of user interfaces and computers as tools is unnecessarily limiting, according to Laurel who advances the notion of computers as arenas for human action. Based on dramatic theory, she develops a perspective on interaction design and a set of design principles concerning communication, agency and use experience. The book is highly relevant as a starting point for thinking about virtual realities and other communication-oriented ways of viewing information technology, and from a standpoint of more contemporary interaction design it appears highly prescient.
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Author Information
5+ Works 681 Members
Common Knowledge
- Dedication
- This book is dedicated to my mother
and
to the memory of my father,
who showed me that work, love, and values
all arise from the same source. - First words
- This is a challenging book, one that offers an entirely new perspective upon the development of the modern technologies of computation and communication. (foreword)
This book presents a dramatic theory of human-computer activity.
Classifications
- Genres
- Technology, Nonfiction, General Nonfiction, Art & Design
- DDC/MDS
- 004.019 — Computer science, information & general works Computer science, knowledge & systems Computer science standard subdivisions Philosophy and theory Psychological principles; Human-computer interaction, human factors, usability
- LCC
- QA76.9 .H85 .L38 — Science Mathematics Mathematics Instruments and machines Calculating machines Electronic computers. Computer science
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 255
- Popularity
- 126,841
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.59)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 5
- UPCs
- 1
