HCI Lecture 5 Importance of HCI and Main Terminologies.pdf

Department of Computer Science and IT Human Computer Interaction CS/IT 380 Instructor: Ghadeer Attar Email: [email protected] FA L L 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 2 5 Importance of HCI and Main Technologies...

Department of Computer Science and IT Human Computer Interaction CS/IT 380 Instructor: Ghadeer Attar Email: [email protected] FA L L 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 2 5 Importance of HCI and Main Technologies FA L L 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 2 5 HCI: Definition “Human-computer interaction is a discipline concerned with the design, evaluation and implementation of interactive computing systems for human use and with the study of major phenomena surrounding them” HCI: Definition A pragmatic computer science view point: How to enable interaction between one or more humans and one or more computational devices and with data.  HCI: How does Human-Computer Interaction impact us? It determines how we use (digital) products. For examples it impacts… What we can do with products and services Smartphones and Touchscreens Instead of using small buttons, users can now tap, swipe, and pinch the screen to interact with apps. This HCI innovation makes phones easier to use for various tasks like typing, browsing, or playing games.  HCI: How does Human-Computer Interaction impact us? It determines how we use (digital) products. For examples it impacts… How easy or hard it is to work with a software Video Game Controllers vs. Virtual Reality (VR) Video Game Controllers: Traditional controllers use buttons, joysticks, and triggers for precise control but have a steep learning curve, especially for new players. Some games require memorizing complex button combinations Virtual Reality (VR) Systems: VR headsets like Oculus Quest offer more intuitive interaction by using natural body movements instead of buttons. For example, throwing a ball involves a real throwing motion, making it easier for new players to engage and reducing the learning curve  HCI: How does Human-Computer Interaction impact us? It determines how we use (digital) products. For examples it impacts… How quickly you can learn to use a system Google Search vs. Complex Database Query Systems Google Search: Google’s search engine is highly user-friendly, with a simple interface that allows anyone to quickly learn and use it. Users can type a query into the search bar and receive results in seconds, requiring no training. Complex Database Query Systems (like SQL): SQL systems require users to learn a specific query language and understand database structures. Writing SQL queries is more complex and takes more time and effort to master compared to using a basic search engine like Google. HCI: How does Human-Computer Interaction impact us? It determines how we use (digital) products. For examples it impacts… ◦ How safe a product is. It is central to how we feel and what we experience while interacting with digital technologies. Interactive Systems Definition An Interactive System is a computational system that allows users to interact in real-time. Interactions receive instant feedback visible to the user Interactive computing is used in a similar way, with a focus that is less on the systems aspect. Interactive Systems Examples oGraphical user interfaces, such as Windows 10 or MacOS oMobile devices, such as an Android phone oGaming consoles, such as Xbox with Kinect or Nintendo Switch o Ticket vending machines, such as the DB-ticket machine o Command line interfaces, such as an SSH console User Interface Definition: oThe part of a system where a user can interact with a system, device or application oThe user interfaces can support input, output or both. oUser interfaces are not restricted to digital technologies or interactive systems User Interface Similar terms: oHuman-computer interface (HCI) oMan -machine interface (MMI) or Human-Machine- Interface (HMI) User Interface Examples o Graphical user interface (GUI) on a web page oVoice user interface in a smart speaker (e.g. Alexa) oButtons, switches, wheels and levers in a cockpit User, Interactive System, and User Interface User: “person who interacts with a system, product or service” Context of Use: “ combination of users, goals and tasks, resources, and environment” User, Interactive System, and User Interface Interactive System: “combination of hardware and/or software and/or services and/or people that users interact with in order to achieve specific goals” User Interface: “all components of an interactive system (software or hardware) that provide information and controls for the user to accomplish specific tasks with the interactive system Why Focus on User and Interaction? How to discriminate your product or service? Traditionally product discrimination is by functionality and price Why should a customer pick you, if competitors offer very similar functions? (e.g. messaging services) at similar prices (e.g. payed by advertising)? Why Focus on User and Interaction? Your product is easier to use? You get your tasks done faster? You have more fun doing what you want to do? Why Focus on User and Interaction? Trends that make Human-Computer interaction more important It becomes harder to discriminate by technology ◦ As technology advances and becomes more user-friendly, accessible, and widely adopted, the differences between various technologies (in terms of usability, accessibility, or performance) become less noticeable or significant to the average user. Why Focus on User and Interaction? ◦ Many modern apps or digital platforms (like communication tools, video editors, etc.) offer similar functions and usability, making it harder to choose one solely based on technological differences. New understanding of computing ◦ The old question: What can computers do? ◦ The new question: What can humans do with computers? User Interface Design and Interaction Design User Interface Design refers to the conception and design of the user interface, including othe choice of modalities, oselection of interface elements oand their placement in the interface. User Interface Design vs. Interaction Design vs. User Experience Design “Interaction Design (IxD) is the design of interactive products and services in which a designer’s focus goes beyond the item in development to include the way users will interact with it.” https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/interaction-design User Interface Design vs. Interaction Design vs. User Experience Design User Experience Design describes the more holistic approach in designing the experience a person will encounter when interacting with a devices, system or application. It considers the user interface design in the broader context of use. User Interface Design refers to the conception and design of the user interface, including the choice of modalities (modes), selection of interface elements and their placement in the interface. The 5 Dimensions of Interaction Design Originally by Gillian Crampton Smith (4 dimensions); Kevin Silver added the fifth. 1D: Words should be meaningful and simple to understand. 2D: Visual representations supplement the words used to communicate information to users. https://www.interaction-design.org/ The 5 Dimensions of Interaction Design 3D: Physical objects or space looks at what physical objects do users interact with the product (laptop, mouse, touchscreen, phones, etc.)? These all affect the interaction between the user and the product. 4D: Time refers to media that changes with time (e.g. animation, videos, sounds). 5D: Behavior includes the mechanism of a product. How do users perform actions? Utility, Usability, Likeability Utility A product can be used to reach a certain goal or to perform a certain task. This is essential! Usability Relates to the question of quality and efficiency. E.g. how well does a product support the user to reach a certain goal or to perform a certain task. Likeability This may be related to utility and usability but not necessarily. People may like a product for any other reason… What is Usability? A definition by Jakob Nielson “Usability is a quality attribute that assesses how easy user interfaces are to use. The word ‘usability’ also refers to methods for improving ease-of-use during the design process.” Usability 101 by Jakob Nielson Why is Usability Important? Products that are easy to use a good for business. Improving usability can Increase productivity of users, Reduce costs (support, efficiency), Increase sales/revenue (web shop), Enhance customer loyalty, or Win new customers. Why is Usability Important? Case studies that show the benefit of usability (Apple iPhone) Usability is often considered as sign of quality Usability gives a competitive advantage. Usability has five quality components 1. Learnability: How easy is it for users to accomplish basic tasks the first time they encounter the design? 2. Efficiency: Once users have learned the design, how quickly can they perform tasks? 3. Memorability: When users return to the design after a period of not using it, how easily can they reestablish proficiency? 4. Errors: How many errors do users make, how severe are these errors, and how easily can they recover from the errors? Usability has five quality components 5. Satisfaction: How pleasant is it to use the design? Aspects of Product Design A simplistic view Product Design is part of Interaction Design influences Utility Usability Likeability Major Factors Influencing the User Experience Product Design Context of Use User Experience (UX) Users’ Skills and Expectations Any Question ?