links for 2009-05-07

I disagree with the idea that the only way forward for interaction design as a field is to focus on high-level, strategic work. It seems Cooper, and other American interaction design consultancies like them, are finding strategy work more lucrative than actual design, but feel a little guilty for abandoning the craft they originate from. There is a real need for interaction design on a tactical level (call it craft, praxis or whatever) and it is not something to be left to technologists, marketing folk or industrial designers.

Jack talks about sources of inspiration for his Here & There map. As always I am blown away by the depth and breadth of stuff S&W draw on for their projects.

The Economist covers ARGs. Good news for those hoping to make money in the field, I guess. I was happy to see them make the point that the most interesting current examples are not so much ARGs, but do fit into a “growing trend of using playful cross-media technologies to get people thinking”.