System State Design | Jack D. Davis

System State Design (Taming Complexity)

Here are a couple of examples of where I have tamed complexity by clearly defining system states and the user-facing logic by which the system changes states. This is another lens of looking at an experience, and one that is very helpful for the team implementing the flow.

Mobile App State Flow

This is the state flow I designed for a mobile app for the Vancouver Aquarium. The app is used by a visitor to enhance the aquarium experience. They scan QR codes found throughout the museum which allows them to interact with live exhibits via their mobile device.

AI Behavior State Flow

I created this for the iPad app Dolphin Paradise: Wild Friends. The game experience is centered on interacting and bonding with dolphins. This AI state flow communicated the different main states the AI dolphin could be in, and how the player's interactions (inputs) altered the dolphin's AI state.

Essentially, the dolphin has three main states: idle, petting, and tricks. In any of those states, the player can feed the dolphin. Feeding states are similar but differ slightly depending on the main state. The diagram carefully makes clear all of the complexities and subtleties of these interactions.

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