Designing Experiences

The book is written in an engaging way, and benefits greatly from a comprehensive and logical structure. It begins by laying a solid theoretical framework, before moving on to explain a detailed and readily applicable methodology. Broadly speaking, it succeeds masterfully at providing an accessible overview of 20 years’ worth of developments in the field of experience design.

This book is not the most intellectually adventurous work in the field of experience design. Most of the theoretical or conceptual ideas it discusses are drawn from existing works. However, this criticism should not be taken too far, seeing as the book is intended first and foremost as an overview and guide.

In an increasingly experience-driven economy, companies that deliver great experiences thrive, and those that do not die. Yet many organizations face difficulties implementing a vision of delivering experiences beyond the provision of goods and services. Because experience design concepts and approaches are spread across multiple, often disconnected disciplines, there is no book that succinctly explains to students and aspiring professionals how to design them.

J. Robert Rossman and Mathew D. Duerden present a comprehensive and accessible introduction to experience design. They synthesize the fundamental theories and methods from multiple disciplines and lay out a process for designing experiences from start to finish. Rossman and Duerden challenge us to reflect on what makes a great experience from the user’s perspective. They provide a framework of experience types, explaining people’s engagement with products and services and what makes experiences personal and fulfilling. The book presents interdisciplinary research underlying key concepts such as memory, intentionality, and dramatic structure in a down-to-earth style, drawing attention to both the macro and micro levels. Designing Experiences features detailed instructions and numerous real-world examples that clarify theoretical principles, making it useful for students and professionals. An invaluable overview of a growing field, the book provides readers with the tools they need to design innovative and indelible experiences and to move their organizations into the experience economy.

Designing Experiences features a foreword by B. Joseph Pine II.

Unsurprisingly, Designing Experiences is best applied in the field of experience design. The book’s core content is a veritable ‘how to’ guide. Rossman and Duerden provide detailed instructions and examples which will enable readers to apply the book’s theoretical lessons in real-world cases. Most importantly, the authors place an emphasis on those methodological and conceptual elements that experience designers often miss – specifically storytelling and intentionality.