Lecture: 12

Human-Computer Interaction
Adnan Bashir
 Ergonomics

physical aspects of interfaces

industrial interfaces
Ergonomics

• Study of the physical characteristics of

interaction

• Also known as human factors – but this can

also be used to mean much of HCI!

• Ergonomics good at defining standards and

guidelines for constraining the way we design
certain aspects of systems.

• A primary focus is on user performance and

how the interface enhances or detracts from
this.
Ergonomics - examples
• arrangement of controls and displays
e.g. controls grouped according to
function or frequency of use, or
sequentially
Ergonomics - examples

• surrounding environment
e.g. seating arrangements
adaptable to cope with all
sizes of user
 Design of work Environment

 Where will the system be used?

 Who will use it?

 For how long will it be used?

 Seated users: Comfort, Back support

etc.
Ergonomics - examples

• health issues
e.g. physical position, environmental conditions
(temperature, humidity), lighting, noise,
Ergonomics - examples

• use of colour
e.g. use of red for warning, green for okay,
awareness of colour-blindness etc.
Video on ergonomics
Industrial interfaces
Office interface vs. industrial interface?

Context matters!

Office Industrial
Type of data textual numeric
Rate of change slow fast
Environment clean dirty
Industrial interfaces
Glass interfaces ?

• industrial interface:
• traditional … dials and knobs/grips
• now … screens and keypads
• glass interface
+cheaper, more flexible,
multiple representations,
Vessel B Temp
precise values
• not physically located, 0 100 200

loss of context,
complex interfaces 113
• may need both
multiple representations
of same information
Glass interfaces ?
Indirect manipulation

• office– direct manipulation

• user interacts
with artificial world system

• industrial – indirect manipulation

• user interacts
with real world
through interface
interface plant
• issues ..
• feedback immediate
feedback
• delays
instruments