Designing for Flow

Steven Pace, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Informatics & Communication, Central Queensland University, Mackay, Queensland, 4740. Email: s.pace@cqu.edu.au

Keywords

Web design, flow, human-computer interaction, grounded theory

Abstract

Pace (2004) has proposed a grounded theory of the flow experiences of Web users engaged in information-seeking activities. The term flow refers to a state of consciousness that individuals experience when their attention is intently focused on an enjoyable activity that is challenging, but achievable. Pace's (2004) theory suggests that the flow experiences of Web users depend on a complex network of factors, most of which are beyond the influence of Web designers. However, the theory also offers some ideas about how to create sites that encourage flow experiences, or at least minimise obstructions that prevent the experience from occurring.