Background Radiation

Information & Interaction Design

Mick McQuaid

University of Texas at Austin

02 Sep 2026

Day THREE

Background Radiation

This expression is borrowed from physics, where it refers to the radiation left over from the Big Bang. It is omnipresent and physicists have to take it into consideration when they get down to work on specific topics. Our background radiation in UX includes a bestselling book, design thinking, roles, influential people, the UX design community, and their tools and most frequently discussed issues.

The Least Common Denominator

The cover of the book Design of Everyday Things, featuring an unusable teapot

Design Thinking through the Ages