Why are there no "standard texts" on designing software interfaces? (or tell me I'm wrong?)
If you want to learn to *build* software, there are excellent and complete texts on the subject. It's not just a tech-vs-art thing: there are standard texts on type, drawing, color, etc.
Conversation
Can you describe what such a book's table of contents may look like that may hit upon the type of text you'd like to exist on designing software interfaces? And/or what guide/essay/effort is closest to the style? Would love to know
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Writing the ToC would be much of the job, I think! But roughly: I'd mash up About Face (process), the 1987 Apple HIG (patterns), The Humane Interface / Inmates… (philosophy) with scaffolded instructional structure (exercises, practical how-tos) like Drawing on the Right Side….
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Probably also include some material on history and conceptual models, a la "Designing the User Interface."
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But to be clear, I think the main job to be done here is to make an instructional text, meant to be used as a primer. Focus on exercises, projects, case studies. 70%+ of the content can be found in existing books, but they're largely written as pro refs, not learning resources.