In IXD, Pace Layers shape how work evolves by highlighting what stays constant and what changes quickly. Stable layers like human behavior and cultural norms are lasting principles that as makes interfaces intuitive, accessible, and universally clear. These elements remain the foundation of good design, providing timeless solutions that resonates within various contexts. Middle layers shift more gradually, prompting designers to adapt systems and experiences to new platforms, ensuring that designs remain functional and relevant over time. The fastest layers are like visual trends, they require frequent iterations to keep up with user expectations. For example: Integrating AI and emerging tools within existing systems. Such as how Google incorporated AI search engines within user searches. Balancing these layers allow designers to create work that is adaptable and evolves alongside the evolving tech world.
Ethics
Interaction designers have a crucial ethical responsibility to create transparent, user-centered interfaces that respect privacy and promote inclusivity. When integrating AI, designers must ensure that users clearly understand when they are interacting with AI-driven systems. Transparency about data collection, how algorithms work, and providing clear consent options help build trust and reduce the risk of manipulation through dark patterns or misleading interfaces. Designers must also prioritize accessibility, making products usable for people with diverse abilities and backgrounds.
Another essential responsibility is addressing fairness and bias. AI systems are only as good as the data they are trained on. Interaction designers must work with data scientists to ensure diverse and representative data sets, avoiding discriminatory outcomes in critical applications such as hiring platforms, financial tools, and recommendation engines. Creating fair and inclusive experiences means constantly auditing AI outputs and implementing corrections when biases are detected.
Lastly, accountability and sustainability are central to ethical design. Designers must accept responsibility for unintended consequences by offering feedback systems and avenues for user support. They should also consider the environmental impact of digital products by designing energy-efficient, low-resource-consuming systems. By adhering to these principles, interaction designers can craft AI-powered experiences that are not only functional but also ethical, equitable, and sustainable.
Future Wheel-Auto Drive
In my perspective, I think auto driving is a technique that has huge potential impact. I explored the potential impacts of widespread adoption of auto-drive technology, and do the research about zoox and waymo, and the public voice.
Computer History Museum-How will AI change the way we work and live in the next decade?
By the time I stood in front of the AI robot Ameca, I realised that this robot I had seen countless times in YouTube videos, news headlines, and media promotions was now right before my eyes. I felt an indescribable mix of surprise and concern: it looked so real, with micro-expressions comparable to those of a human.
That means a lot. We have created a being that can physically resemble humans almost perfectly, and this carries profound implications. Imagine how much a person’s micro-expressions influence our attitude and words during a conversation. We might hesitate because of their tears and disappointment, or feel joy in response to their happiness. Humans are naturally empathetic creatures. And now, humans might not only empathise with their own kind or other living beings but also develop empathy for their own creations. It could just be we looked the same.
Thinking about the possibilities of future if we have more and higher level of techniques to create robots like Ameca, and even let them enter the market-if Ameca become affordable for common people, then the topic with “Human and Robots” that has been discussed and developed in fictions will become reality. And I believe human is making on this way-we are trying to bring this kind of fiction to reality. AI and Robots could become human being’s tools, friends, or slaves. The distinction between tools and slaves are wether they are alive.
However, expect the moral argument and concern, the AI is an trend that should not be underestimated and I am astonished by how far human beings have moved on it. We could relay on AI much much more than what we do now in decades.
Pace Layers
In IXD, I apply the concept of pace layers to understand how different components of a system evolve at varying rates, which significantly influences the design lifecycle.
Mapping these layers to interaction design, I consider:
- Fashion/Art (Fast Layer): This encompasses rapidly changing design trends, aesthetics, and user interface elements. Staying attuned to emerging styles ensures that products remain visually appealing and relevant.
- Commerce (Fast, but slower than Fashion): This layer involves market demands and business models, which evolve to meet consumer needs and economic shifts. Aligning design work with current market trends ensures commercial viability.
- Infrastructure (Moderate Layer): This includes the underlying technologies and platforms that support design implementations. Changes here occur more slowly, as they require significant investment and development time. Considering the stability and scalability of these technologies is crucial.
- Governance (Slow Layer): This pertains to regulations, standards, and ethical guidelines that govern design practices. Changes are infrequent but have substantial impact. Ensuring compliance with these standards maintains integrity and user trust.
- Culture (Slower Layer): This reflects societal values, user behaviors, and expectations, which evolve gradually. Understanding cultural contexts is essential for creating designs that resonate with users on a deeper level.
- Nature (Slowest Layer): This represents fundamental human behaviors and cognitive processes, which change very slowly over time. Aligning designs with these innate human factors ensures intuitiveness and accessibility.
Web 2.0 and its history
Web 2.0, the second generation of internet, is characterised by interactive and user-driven platforms.
There are many interactions that is needed for 2.0 today. One example is user-generated content. For example, Youtube is one of the most popular platforms that allow users to create and share their own content, and the information and content of it given to the users is highly customized. For example, users are allowed to make the choices to set up their preferred content, liked category, subscription, and so on. This creates not only a video platforms that people could share their work, but also allows the social media engagement. Other than Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, and similar platforms all introduced profiles, posts, likes, comments, and friend/follower connections. Encouraging people to be socialized and highlight/show one’s friendship group even leads the users to connect or be connected more. Another example is Dynamic Web Pages. AJAX and JavaScript-enabled real-time updates, like notifications or live feeds, without reloading pages. The other tools, like Collaborative Tools, make features like Google Docs or Wikipedia allowed multiple users to edit and contribute simultaneously.Also, the E-Commerce Integration also let User reviews, personalised recommendations, and social buying emerged.
In a comparison with today, today’s web is very different from Web 2.0, thanks to new technology and smarter systems. Unlike Web 2.0, where companies controlled most data, today’s web uses blockchain and decentralised apps to give users more control and security. Artificial intelligence makes online experiences more personal, with tools like chatbots and smart recommendations.
Do Design Patterns Stifle Creativity ?
As an intern, I’ve noticed that design systems aren’t just about following strict rules. They help teams stay consistent and organized, which is especially helpful when working with many people or across different products. For a company, design systems ensure that everything has a unified look and feel, which is great for users because they know what to expect across the brand’s apps or websites.
A design system also speeds up the design process. Instead of creating buttons, colors, or layouts from scratch every time, designers can use pre-made components and focus on bigger, more creative ideas. For me, it’s exciting to see how having a strong design system means we don’t have to worry about reinventing the basics. It’s like having a well-stocked toolkit—everything you need is there, so you’re free to experiment and innovate.
While some might think design systems limit creativity, I see it as the opposite. They provide a foundation that lets designers think beyond the basics.
Design Patterns
The use of design systems and interaction design patterns can streamline design processes and enhance consistency, but they do not inherently stifle creativity. Instead, they found a new way which is by establishing a framework for efficiency, allowing designers to focus on solving complex problems rather than creating new basics. By standardizing repetitive elements, such systems free up cognitive resources for exploring innovative features, storytelling, and unique user experiences.
However, over-reliance on rigid patterns can lead to generic designs and inhibit experimentation. To maintain creativity, designers should view design systems as tools rather than constraints, adapting them thoughtfully to context and user needs. Creativity thrives when designers balance structure with flexibility, ensuring that functional patterns enhance, rather than limit, originality in interaction design.
Design Systems vs Creativity
In ways, design systems do restrict creative freedom. Though, I also believe these limitations are upheld for a reason. Having full creative freedom without referencing design systems can be risky, especially when designing for companies and stakeholders. Some risks include lack of uniformity, large investment in time, and misunderstanding of content. A company’s goal when designing is to engage users through intuitive experiences, using typography, composition, and photography. Most of the existing systems today are tailored to that goal, and these systems are borrowed because they are effective for both the users and the company. Breaking out of these set in place systems may do more harm than good. It can offset the presentation and professionalism of a company and confuse users navigating through unfamiliar material. Though, in special cases when designs are created mindfully and attentively, breaking out of design systems can greatly enhance interactive experiences. Similar to how musicians can consciously break music rules when they understand theory, designers can effectively break away from design systems after they understand how design systems work and why they are in place.
Web design to User Experience Design
In my point of view, the shift from web design to UX design was driven by the need to create more user-centred, responsive, and accessible digital experiences. Initially, web design focused on visual effect and layout, but as websites evolved into interactive platforms, companies recognized the importance of prioritising usability and user satisfaction. The rise of mobile devices demanded designs that could adapt seamlessly across screens, making UX design crucial for ensuring consistent, high-quality experiences.
Also, as digital products grew in complexity, UX design expanded to address not just isolated pages but the entire user journey, aiming for coherence and engagement. Data-driven insights and a growing emphasis on accessibility further shaped UX design, which now centres on crafting intuitive and inclusive experiences that cater to diverse user needs. This transition has shifted the focus from just creating visually appealing sites to building meaningful, impactful interactions.
The shift from web design to UX design happened as websites became more complex and important in daily life. Early web design mostly focused on making sites look nice, without much thought about how people would use them. But as technology improved and people started expecting more interactive and user-friendly experiences, companies saw the need to make websites easier to use. Mobile devices also changed things, as people needed websites to work well on different screen sizes. UX design then began focusing on the whole user journey, not just the look of each page. With the help of user feedback and data, designers could make sites that are simpler, more inclusive, and easier for everyone to use.
The development and changes of GUI and personal computers
Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) have evolved significantly since the early days of the Macintosh and Windows, from simple two-dimensional, low-resolution designs to today’s highly complex, flexible, multi-dimensional interfaces. Visual design has evolved from single colors and basic window structures to high-resolution graphics, 3D rendering, and animation, with support for touch and gestures, especially on mobile devices.
At the same time, many basic design concepts and core structures such as desktops, windows, icons, taskbars, and navigation bars have remained. These elements form the foundation of the GUI, helping users understand the interface and operate it easily, allowing the GUI to maintain a familiar framework as it changes.
However, despite significant technological and design advances, modern GUIs still have room for improvement:
Accessibility: Although accessibility options are common in GUIs, support for visually impaired, hearing-impaired, and mobility-impaired users still needs to be improved. Improving accessibility features such as tactile feedback, voice output, screen readers, and keyboard shortcuts can help ensure that all users can use the interface equally.
In general, although GUI has achieved a qualitative leap in vision, interaction and device adaptability, it still needs to be optimized in terms of consistency, accessibility, information management and privacy protection to better adapt to the diverse needs of users and further enhance the user experience.
Shuoning.Liang
GUI and Personal Computer
Graphical User Interfaces, also known as GUI, have evolved significantly since the early days of the Macintosh and Windows. In the 1980s, GUIs were revolutionary, introducing windows, icons, menus, and pointers—commonly referred to as the WIMP model. Early designs were simple, relying heavily on pixel-based graphics with limited colours and low resolution, but they laid the foundation for user-friendly computing. With time, advancements brought smoother icons, better fonts, and richer visual elements as systems transitioned from monochrome to full-colour displays.
While much has changed, several core elements of those early GUIs remain familiar. Desktop metaphor, taskbars, and file explorer still shape how users interact with computers. The structure of drop-down menus and drag-and-drop functionality has endured, providing continuity across generations. This consistency ensures that users who learned on older systems can still navigate modern ones with ease.
Despite these advancements, some areas of improvement remain. As technology progresses, GUIs should become more adaptive and accessible. Many modern interfaces are cluttered or overcomplicated, creating challenges for users with diverse needs. Future improvements should focus on seamless integration of voice commands, better support for touch and gesture interfaces, and improved accessibility options. As technology evolves, interfaces must remain simple, elegant, and inclusive for everyone.
Lucy Suchman’s human center design&research
Lucy Suchman’s work, her study of Xerox photocopier operators, changed how people think about technology design by emphasizing the importance of real-world context. She shows that people did not follow a rigid, predictable process when using machines such as photocopiers, but instead adapted and improvised. Her research claims that technology should be designed with these human behaviors in mind, considering how people naturally interact with systems rather than expecting them to follow predefined instructions. From technology-centered design to a more human-centered approach, ensuring technology works better for people in real life.