HCI approaches centering on designing for experience rather than task completion attempt to address a need for computational artefacts that are enjoyable, fun, appealing or meaningful. Tracing historical influences on computer science and user interface design, we highlight some limitations of resulting scientific approaches to design for experience. An example of an information display based on the concepts of ‘informative art’ illustrates a means of overcoming some of the limitations through a more holistic approach.   more »