Summary of “Design Moves” by Sharon Poggenpohl

In “Design Moves,” Sharon Poggenpohl and Chan Screven taught a workshop for communication design at the Field museum of Natural History in Chicago. They critiqued existing exhibits by watching visitors interact with them in order to design interventions to improve the overall attraction. I learned a number of great design advice from reading this article. Sharon talked about how breaking through designer’s straightjacket of technique and aesthetics by working with users can generate vital, innovative work. Also that design engages the future by supporting human agency or decision-making. Making abstract ideas tangible is the mission of design. I learned that in order for designers to progress in technology, they first need to experience and understand the situation. Observing patterns and relationships between real users interacting in the world can be the most beneficial.