The design of software to support creative practice

There is general acceptance of the need to include 'the user' in the process of design. The design of software for creative practice involves software designers treating product designers as 'users' and it is argued that neither party has a clear understanding of this relationship. It is also argued that software for creative practice is better seen as a language, rather than as a task-oriented product. As such it should establish a code and allow users to make interesting statements within that code. The 'Visual Assistant' is new applications software that has been developed over the past three years to support performance education. Fundamentally, it involves the manipulation of 2D images within a 3D space. A set of design objectives for the product are described. The design method used in development is also described. The process of evaluation is not clearly defined in relation to such applications and the general procedure whereby users' experience is fed into evolving design is discussed in the light of the experience at three teaching workshops.