A Future with Interactive Design

Interactivity in social media stems from the connections users make with one another.  Many connections are made based on similar interests or meeting someone through a friend-of-a-friend.  Connections are established through blog subscribers, mini-blog subscribers, or social network users.  Even if a connection is made that doesn’t mean interactivity has occurred.

Connections must be acted upon.  Interactivity requires a dialogue with other users to create solid relationships that are beneficial to each person.  Rules of interactivity are simple, maintain conversations and respond to questions and opinions.

It is important to remember that users control interactivity.  The easier and more attractive interactive tools are; the more likely they will be used.  Users are looking for features to entice them to want more.  Interactive design is the perfect way to attract users.

Most blogs incorporate interesting designs, but the biggest place for interactive designs are social networks such as Face Book and Twitter.  However, each social network goes about their design concepts in different ways.

Face Book applications provide fun and exciting ways to meet new people and make more connections with people sharing similar interests.  Through these new connections Face Book then provides a simple way to view what your friends are doing.  Their design displays one status feed that represents your updates and those who update to you.

This design feature is convenient, but not the only option.  According to, A Social Interaction Design (SxD) blog on Web 2.0 and Social Media, a blog written by Adrian Chan Twitter does not follow the standard design elements to create ease and excitement for users.  The design is simple, but shows two-way update feeds.  Chan explains that this provides a more open and flexible way of communicating.  Twitter gives users the option to tweet on a “whenever/wherever” basis.  Some feel this could cause problems.  Many people feel everyone will not respond automatically, and the purpose of tweeting for one person may not be received in the same manner as another.

Interactive design is growing within each social network.  New applications and tools are being designed and improved everyday.  The Johnny Holland Magazine’s blog is solely based on interaction.  In the blog post, “Social Interaction Design Primer II: 6. What’s next”, they describe the future of interactive designs and the effects it will have on social media.  These ideas are important and will continue to update users on the current actions and status’s of their connections.  It will create more communication, as well as better relationships.

Interactivity Is Never An Option

Interactivity is the most essential element to social media. The increase in Web 2.0 knowledge created an increase in the number of users searching for information and answers through social media.  Subscribers to blogs, mini-blogs, and social networks are demanding more than the ability to read information. Readers want to establish relationships and voice opinions or concerns about a topic. Therefore interactivity is growing increasingly popular in the corporate blogging world, too.  As more and more companies jump on “the blogging bandwagon”, they are offering several ways to interact with stakeholders.

Social media outlets that provide substantial amounts of interactivity are becoming more and more effective. They are benefiting the readers, or customers, and the bloggers, or corporations, simultaneously. The “Importance of Interactivity” article best explains the three situations where interactivity on the web is necessary.  In terms of corporate blogging and interactivity, a customer can express satisfaction or dissatisfaction with a corporations product or services. Corporations can then respond the customer and find a way to resolve the situation.  For other social media outlets, interactivity is a form of establishing connections to people with similar interests.

Not all interactivity is negative. Interactivity can be used to gain suggestions or opinions on a topic or idea.  

Even though corporate blogging is increasing substantially, the understanding of interactivity is one that is as old as the development of social media itself. Fellow blog author Steve Yelvington, discussed the importance of interactivity. He reminds bloggers that there is more to interactivity than placing forums and chats on your site. Always remember that even though there are different forms of interactivity, interactivity itself is never optional.

Many social networks and loyal bloggers have done an incredible job researching and implementing interactivity in the most efficient ways possible.

A Blog into the World of Interactivity

Hi Everyone!

My name is Nicole Fiorella. I am a junior double major at James Madison University. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Corporate Communications. This blog has been established as web communications project with the JMU School of Media Arts and Design. The goal of this blog is to provide information and understanding of interactivity in relation to social media.  I plan to discuss how corporations use interactivity, the effectiveness of social networks with interactivity, how other organizations or groups use interactivity, and provide some helpful tips when diving into interactivity. If you have any suggestions or opinions please leave comments. I plan to explain and inform my readers through valuable information found in videos, articles, images, and other blog posts. Check back for updates soon.

I took this photograph at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens.