Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)

Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)

• HCI is an interdisciplinary field focused on designing, evaluating, and implementing interactive computing systems for human use, including studying the major phenomena surrounding them.
• HCI aims to understand how people interact with computers and design technology seamlessly into people's lives.
• This involves defining interaction as a concept, distinct from "interface." Interaction refers to an abstract model, while an interface is the choice of hardware or software to realise that interaction.

Core Components of HCI

• Human: Understanding human capabilities and limitations (e.g., cognitive abilities, physical aspects, like perception, memory, problem-solving, and motor skills).
• Computer: Understanding the technology itself (hardware and software) and how it can best support the user.
• Interaction: This is the communication between the user and the computer. It includes input methods (e.g. keyboards, mouses, touchscreens, voice) and output methods (e.g. screen displays, sounds, haptic feedback).

Key Principles of HCI

• User-Centered Design (UCD): An iterative design process focusing constantly on user needs and requirements, involving users at each phase via diverse research and design methods.

• Usability: HCI's emphasis on making systems easy to use and learn. Factors include effectiveness (how well users achieve goals), efficiency (speed of task completion), satisfaction (pleasantness of use), learnability (how easily users master basic tasks), and memorability (how easily users re-learn after a break).

• User Experience (UX): A broader concept than usability, UX encompasses all aspects of the end-user's interaction with the company, services, and products, aiming to provide satisfaction, ease of use, and pleasure.

• Accessibility: Designing systems usable by people with all abilities and disabilities (e.g. physical, visual, auditory).

• Interaction Design: The creation of engaging interfaces with well-thought out behaviours for effective interaction.

• Feedback: Providing users with information regarding their actions (and what has been accomplished) to guide their further actions.

• Consistency: Making actions and elements produce similar results and appear/behave in similar ways to simplify user learning.

Goals of HCI

• Improving User Satisfaction: Creating systems users find enjoyable and fulfilling.
• Increasing Productivity: Designing interfaces that enable quicker and more efficient task completion.
• Reducing Errors: Designing systems that minimize errors and provide tools to recover from mistakes.
• Ensuring Accessibility: Making system usable by as many people as possible.

HCI–Interdisciplinary Area

• Computer Science: Application design and engineering of human-computer interfaces.
• Psychology: Applying cognitive processes theory and empirical analysis of user behaviour.
• Sociology: Examining technology's impact on work and organisation
• Industrial/Design: Creating interactive products.

HCI Strengths

• Improved Usability: Designing user friendly systems.
• User-Centered Design: Understanding and addressing user needs, behaviour, and preferences.
• Enhanced Accessibility: Designing systems accommodating a diverse range of user experiences.
• Innovative Interaction Techniques: Exploring new methods like touch, gestures, and voice.
• Interdisciplinary Approach: Combining insights from different disciplines (e.g., psychology, cognitive science).
• Iterative Design Process: Utilizing feedback from testing with users to improve design.

HCI Weaknesses

• Subjectivity: User preferences vary widely.
• Complexity of Evaluation: Evaluating usability can be complex and time-consuming.
• Emerging Technologies Challenges: Designing interfaces for new, emerging technologies (e.g. AI, AR).
• Ethical Considerations: Addressing ethical concerns involved with interactions (e.g. privacy).
• Rapid Technological Change: Keeping pace with fast changes that affect interface design and user interactions.

This quiz explores the fundamentals of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), an interdisciplinary field aimed at improving the interaction between humans and computers. It covers key components such as human capabilities, computer technology, and the nature of interaction itself. Test your understanding of how to design effective interactive computing systems!