Pattern Languages in Interaction Design

In this paper, writer investigate how the Pattern Languages in Interaction Design can be structured in a meaningful and practical way. The issue of structuring collections of patterns into Pattern Languages becomes relevant,both from a theoretical and a practical perspective. They also described a way to apply the concept of a pattern language in Interaction Design using Web Design as an example. And this approach follows a top-down design methodology where high-level design problems are gradually decomposed into smaller design problems.

The basic assumption in the concept of a pattern language is that patterns are related to each other, forming a network of connected patterns. These relationships are at the heart of the pattern language because they create actual additional value over single patterns.

When looking at such a networked set of patterns, we can also see layers of patterns emerging, when going from high level patterns to lower level patterns. These layers are rough delineations of the typical levels that are encountered in design. The levels we have identified so far are posture, experience, task and action.

Here writer also discussed which tools we used for the pattern languages. A web-based tool environment is probably best suited for the task since a pattern language itself already consist of hyperlinked patterns that allow users to go from one pattern to another.

Pattern languages also worked as mental models. A pattern language can be seen as a mental model (van der Veer & Puerta Melguizo, 2002) that a designer has. Writing down design knowledge using a pattern language is an activity of making a structured explicit representation of ones mental model.

Reference:

Martijn van Welie,Gerrit C. van der Veer; Pattern Languages in Interaction Design: Structure and Organization

http://welie.com/papers/Welie-Interact2003.pdf