PUX: patterns of user experience

s from a concrete to a new abstract level of description [1]. Rises in abstraction level happen regularly in all fields, but the key difference in Alexander's work was that ract descriptions were founded in user experience, not in abstract descriptions of building construction (engineering) or of ornament (style). This is in contrast to recent developments in software patterns, as noted by Molly Steenson in her recent Interactions article[2]. In talking about software, it is easy to get confused about the distinctions between and concrete, because so much about software seems abstract. As a result, the adaptation of pattern languages to software has lost the key contribution of Alexander's work, which was to throw attention onto the users. Software patterns, despite being by Alexander's work, emphasise abstract descriptions of construction and of , not abstract descriptions of user experience. It's time to change that. This article tracks down the history of where w...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2010
• Where: INTERACTIONS
• Authors: Alan F. Blackwell, Sally Fincher
• Keywords: INTERACTIONS 2010, Software, Software Patterns, User Experience