Beyond skin deep: exploring the contribution of communication design within interaction design projects

This research has explored potential ways for understanding the contribution communication design makes within the field of interaction design; specifically projects that have involved the design of web-based interactive systems. As a practice-based design investigation, this research has been conducted through a series of interaction design projects within the context of a Collaborative Research Centre, and have often included working with industry partners. I will refer to these as projects throughout this exegesis. In this exegesis, I will argue that communication design can make a valuable contribution to interaction design projects, and that this contribution can be facilitated by understanding interactive systems in terms of the role that they play in our everyday experience of the world.<br><br>This exegesis presents the central argument of the research and how the research questions were investigated. It presents the projects through which the research has been conducted, and through discussion, presents the discoveries and knowledge gained through this research. The total submission for this research consists of the exegesis, exhibition, and oral presenation. Throughout each mode of delivery I will share how the research questions were investigated. <br>