1.0 Title and Summary

Note to reviewers

To navigate through this OP use the tabs at the top, or the arrows at the bottom of each page. You can also refer to and use the Table of contents in the right column (hyperlinked titles). 

To see the mind-maps Full Screen click the button in the bottom right corner. The map will open in a new tab. 

The links in this report (colored) will tell you where they lead. If you visit one of these links press the back button in your browser to continue where you left off. External links (marked ➚) and documents will open a new window. These links and documents are details which are not essential to understand the project. 

The sections in the Table of contents with an asterisk next to them are the sections to be reviewed. If you are interested in learning more about designing user interfaces or want a more comprehensive understanding of this project, I highly recommend taking a look at the Supporting evidence page.

OP Specification

User Interface (UI) is defined by Wikipedia as the space where interactions between humans and machines occur. Though that is the subject covered in this report I would contend that it is the space where interactions between humans and a task occur. I make this distinction because I believe there is a much wider application for this design knowledge.

This project was about turning a negative experience of isolation into a positive opportunity for change. This transformative perspective is a permaculture principle called "the problem is the solution". This principle allowed me to move out of disconnected frustration into inspired collaboration. I Co-created an online group called the Activity Hub where Gaia University associates (students) could share their inspirations and work. User interface design has lots of insights and tools that can be applied to the EcoSocial field, whether its to build a multi-purpose network such as the hub I created, or setting up a workshop. This is a new field with plenty of room for innovation but there is already a foundation of principles. I have concentrated them to three main functions - Searchability, Navigability, Usability. 

My intention with this report is to expose EcoSocial designers and others a like to the insights and tools of user interface design so they can apply it to their own projects. Creating this report also has the function of bringing reflection to my experience so I can assimilate the teaching with a new perspective. I designed this report to reflect the principles of a good user interface, see more about the process of designing this OP in the left column of the Commentary page.