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Jef Raskin dies at 61
Jef Raskin
My interest in usability, and the success I enjoy with it, was largely started by the books of two persons. "The Inmates are running the Asylum" by Alan Cooper and "The Humane Interface" by Jef Raskin. These two books profoundly change my views of information technology. Jef's book in particular introduced me to concepts like GOMS, FITTS and HICKS which I use everyday.
Jef also changed the way I identify locus of attention and gave me a much better understanding of the way people use interfaces. Not to mention his continued talks about breaking the rules to create better products.
He was an important person in my life, and will continue to be in my mind.
If you have not encountered Jef Raskin I recommend the following destinations:
- The Humane Interface (Book)
- Prolegomena to future interface design (Web cast - Stanford University)
- Jef Raskin's web site
- Jef Raskin Center of Humane Interfaces
- DigiBarn Friend's Coverage
- ZDNET's news coverage of his death
Published: Feb. 27, 2005 in Usability
Thomas Baekdal is a Writer, Interaction Designer, Change Advocate and Project Manager.