Using design patterns in collaborative interaction design processes

Abstract

This work aims at investigating and measuring the impact a collection of design patterns would have on collaborative interaction design processes. An initial case study was conducted involving 18 teams of students in Computer Science. Making use of a collection of design patterns for the design of synchronous applications, they were asked to design the GUI and the interaction process of applications which support synchronous collaboration in activities such as drawing, text editing, game solving, and searching. The results obtained through the case study focused on understanding: a) whether the format and the content of a collection of design patterns are easy to understand for novice designers, b) the strategies novice designers develop in working with a collection of design patterns, and c) the overall impact of using design patterns in collaborative design processes.