Inventing the Medium: Principles of Interaction Design as a Cultural Practice by Janet H. Murray. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, 2012. 483 pp. $50 (ISBN 978-1-84638-077-8) (original) (raw)

2012, Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology

AI-generated Abstract

In "Inventing the Medium: Principles of Interaction Design as a Cultural Practice," Janet H. Murray explores the intersection of digital media and cultural practices, proposing that the design of digital objects should be viewed as a cultural endeavor. She elaborates on four key affordances—procedural, spatial, encyclopedic, and participatory—that shape digital experiences, advocating for a design approach that prioritizes cultural context. Although the work provides historical insights and practical design strategies, it could benefit from a deeper exploration of the broader cultural impacts of technology, as well as a critical engagement with its potentially utopian view of digital innovation.