Human Computer Interaction - Week 1.pdf

HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION: WHAT IS IT?  HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION Human–computer interaction (HCI) is a cross-disciplinary area that deals with the theory, design, implementation, and evaluation of the ways that humans use and interac...

HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION: WHAT IS IT?  HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION Human–computer interaction (HCI) is a cross-disciplinary area that deals with the theory, design, implementation, and evaluation of the ways that humans use and interact with computing devices. Source: Kim, Gerard (2015). Human Computer Interaction: Fundamentals and Practice. CRC Press.  HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION Basically, HCI is the study of how people view, interact, and behave with technology and its design, especially computers and smartphones. Source: Simplilearn.com  IMPORTANT CONCEPTS TO KNOW INTERACTION USER EXPERIENCE (UX) t HIGH USABILITY INTERACTION Refers to an abstract model by which humans interact with the computing device for a given task, and an interface is a choice of technical realization (hardware or software) of such a given interaction model. Source: Kim, Gerard (2015). Human Computer Interaction: Fundamentals and Practice. CRC Press. Metaphor Files are like books. Folders are like shelves in the library. How the Interaction Model Affects Interactivity on Systems USABILITY The resulting interfaces or product being designed are easy to use, efficient for the task, ensure safety, and lead to a correct completion of the task, process, or steps. Source: Kim, Gerard (2015). Human Computer Interaction: Fundamentals and Practice. CRC Press. USER EXPERIENCE (UX) encompasses the functional completeness, high usability, and aesthetic appeal of the interactive artifact, but also its seamless integration into one’s lifestyle or even creating a new one around it GOALS OF HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION (HCI)  GOALS OF HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION Functional Compelling User High Usability Aesthetic Appeal Completeness Experience FUNCTIONAL COMPLETENESS This describes a system or product that fully meets user requirements. It means the software or tool has all the essential functions and abilities to accomplish its intended purpose, without any missing elements. HIGH USABILITY User-friendliness is key, emphasizing how smoothly and effectively people can accomplish their objectives using the system. A product with excellent usability is easy to understand, has clear navigation, and allows users to complete tasks with minimal effort. AESTHETIC APPEAL The external appeal and sensory aspects of a product play a crucial role. An attractive design captivates users, forms positive initial impressions, and enhances overall user satisfaction. COMPELLING USER EXPERIENCE A powerful user experience (UX) combines practicality, ease of use, and visual appeal into a unified design that fulfills user needs across various dimensions. This comprehensive approach addresses not just functionality, but also efficiency, emotional connection, and user enjoyment.  The History of Graphical User Interfaces Command-line interface (CLI) Hardware and Software Touchscreen PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION (HCI) Know the User The phrase: “know thy user” was coined from William Hansen in 1971. Most user interfaces in programs and applications are designed and are always centered around users. Interaction and interface MUST cater to the user. Source: Kim, Gerard (2015). Human Computer Interaction: Fundamentals and Practice. CRC Press. Know the User Universal Usability - promotes “humane” interfaces that cater to a wide range of users across age groups, skill levels cultural backgrounds and disability levels Also known as accessibility. Source: Kim, Gerard (2015). Human Computer Interaction: Fundamentals and Practice. CRC Press. Examples of Ways to Achieve Universal Usability / Accessibility Examples of Ways to Achieve Universal Usability / Accessibility Understand the Task Different users will have different methods and techniques to finish a specific task at hand, and this must be reflected in the structure of the interface to simplify implementation for all users. Source: Kim, Gerard (2015). Human Computer Interaction: Fundamentals and Practice. CRC Press. Understand the Task However, it is not always the case that modeling interaction after the user is the most efficient approach. One must remember that humans are very adaptive and, as such, a non user-based task/interaction model may sometimes developed based solely on the general human capacity. Source: Kim, Gerard (2015). Human Computer Interaction: Fundamentals and Practice. CRC Press. Understand the Task The developer must make sure that the software must have all kinds of information on how to use the software not only for beginners but also give expert users some way to be able to maximize their productivity through keyboard shortcuts or through other means. How Would A Person Connect to the Internet with Varying Levels of Expertise Reduce Memory Load Keeping the user’s short- term memory load light is of particular importance with regard to the interface’s role as a quick and easy guidance to the completion of the task. The capacity of the human’s short-term memory (STM) is about 5–9 chunks of information Source: Kim, Gerard (2015). Human Computer Interaction: Fundamentals and Practice. CRC Press. Strive for Consistency Making sure elements in a user interface are uniform, and look and behave the same way. This helps constantly prove a user’s assumptions about the user interface right, creating a sense of control, familiarity, and reliability. Source: De La Riva, M. (2021). Why is Consistency so Important in UI Design. Retrieved from https://careerfoundry.com/en/blog/ui-design/the- importance-of-consistency-in-ui-design/ Examples of Ways to Achieve Consistency Examples of Ways to Achieve Consistency Remind Users and Refresh Their Memories Any significant task will involve the use of memory, so another good strategy is to employ interfaces that give continuous reminders of important information and thereby refresh the user’s memory. Source: Kim, Gerard (2015). Human Computer Interaction: Fundamentals and Practice. CRC Press. Remind Users and Refresh Their Memories To maintain the user’s awareness of the situation and further elicit correct responses, informative, momentary, or continuous feedback will refresh the user’s memory and help the user complete the task easily. Source: Kim, Gerard (2015). Human Computer Interaction: Fundamentals and Practice. CRC Press. Remind end-users through Notifications Prevent Errors/Reversal of Action While supporting a quick completion of the task is important, error free operation is equally important. As such, the interaction and interface should be designed to avoid confusion and mental overload. Source: Kim, Gerard (2015). Human Computer Interaction: Fundamentals and Practice. CRC Press. Examples of Ways to Prevent Errors / Providing Reversal of Actions Naturalness Naturalness refers to a trait that is reflective of various operations in our everyday life. For instance, a perfect HCI may one day be realized when a natural language– based conversational interface is possible, because this is the prevalent way that humans communicate. Source: Kim, Gerard (2015). Human Computer Interaction: Fundamentals and Practice. CRC Press. Naturalness One way to approach such naturalness is to model interaction “metaphorically” to the real life counterpart, extracting the conceptual and abstract essence of the task. Source: Kim, Gerard (2015). Human Computer Interaction: Fundamentals and Practice. CRC Press. Naturalness Another way to approach such naturalness is through the use of affordances. a property (or additional cues) that appeals to our innate perception and cognition, thus making it so intuitive that the interface would require almost no learning. Source: Kim, Gerard (2015). Human Computer Interaction: Fundamentals and Practice. CRC Press. Examples of Possible Affordances