One of the most important thinkers in Human-Computer Interaction and Design, Bill Buxton, visited the Berkeley Institute of Design this week to give a workshop on sketching. Buxton is a Principal Researcher at Microsoft, a columnist for Businessweek, a former professor, and he previously helped develop such software tools as Maya as Chief Scientist at both SGI and Alias.

Bill advises designers not to sketch the design of a product, but rather to sketch the "experience" of using it - and to do it quickly. Sketching is not just about drawing. Buxton, who claims to be a poor draftsman, encourages his design team to employ the proper skills to "sketch" interfaces, foamcore models, and paper versions of mechanical devices.

Special thanks to Lora Oehlberg and the other organizers of the BiD Design Clinics for making this event happen!