Cases as Minimalist Information

Cases are evocative narrative descriptions of a specific, real-world activity, event or problem. We are investigating cases as a minimalist information design technique, that is, as a design technique that (1) orients information to facilitate user action, (2) anchors information in activity, (3) prevents, mitigates and leverages error, and (4) develops user autonomy. We describe recent experiences employing case-based learning in an undergraduate usability engineering class. We discuss the next steps in a research programme on case-based learning, and speculate on other applications of cases as minimalist information design.