Designing real experience
I’ve just caught the end of a TV programme called War Stories on BBC4. It included a talking head from Dominik Diamond that I found interesting. He was talking about the ability to bridge the experience gap between generations by using interactive games.
The example used was that of the D-Day landings. What it was like to participate in the Battle of Normandy, in 1944, has been accurately communicated to the current generation through games like Call of Duty 2 in a way that even movies like Saving Private Ryan couldn’t do.
So often when we talk about ‘Online User Experience’ it is just an abstract positive concept with very little idea of exactly what experience we’re trying to convey or create. How much more powerful and refined our websites might be if we aimed to replicate a real experience from our memories.
Could eBay convey the experience of finding a hidden treasure at a car boot sale? What would be required for price comparison websites like Kelko to replicate the hustle, bustle and excitement of the Cairo Souk or the East End market? If iTunes could offer the Glastonbury vibe (without the mud) how many more units could they sell?
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