Flow diagrams are a key component of an interaction design specification. Jesse James Garrett’s Visual Vocabulary uses a set of simple shapes to diagram user flow and illustrate basic relationships between webpages. However, using Visual Vocabulary to describe more sophisticated behaviors of “rich” interfaces — enabled by technologies such as AJAX, Flash and Ruby on Rails — can sometimes prove challenging. But with some additions and creative modifications, Garrett’s language can actually be used to effectively communicate the design of a rich or conditional UI.

In this session, you will:

* Gain a deeper appreciation of the power and flexibility of Garrett’s Visual Vocabulary.

* Discover how to utilize an augmented Visual Vocabulary to describe the dynamic nature of rich or conditional interfaces.

* Learn tips and tricks to improving your flow diagrams through the addition of key information.

* Find new ways to bring unrealized clarity to your specifications, illustrated via a series of specific examples.

About Anthony Colfelt

Anthony applies his strong human-centered approach to the design of social software applications, online communities and digital identity systems. Currently, he is the creative director at myfamily.com, where he leads a team of user-experience practitioners and oversees design processes, methods and tools. Before joining myfamily.com in 2006, Anthony led UX teams as an interaction design manager and senior practitioner for Classmates.com and the BBC in London. Anthony also graduated with a Bachelor of Graphic Design from the University of Canberra, Australia in 1996.

To learn more about Anthony and his work, visit Cofelt.com, or read his blog, The Vanity Experiment.