Interface Technology and Design

Human-Computer Interaction
Lectures:
1. Introduction to HCI
2. Screen elements
3. Images
4. Screen layout

HCI Definitions
...a discipline concerned with the design,
evaluation and implementation of interactive
computing systems and with the study of
major phenomena surrounding them. (ACM
SIGCHI, 1992)
...the study of people, computer technology
and the ways these influence each other.
...making computer technology more usable
by people.
Development of HCI
2nd WW Weapons research

1950s Early computers: large,
expensive, used by
experts
1980 PCs: small, cheap, ubiquitous
onward
A multidisciplinary subject
Cognitive
Psychology
Social &
Organisational
Psychology
Ergonomics
Engineering
Design
Social
Sciences
Linguistics
Computer
Science
Artificial
Intelligence
HCI
Adapted from Preece p38

Requires understanding of:

people
computer technology
how people interact with technology
what is meant by more usable
Usability
Definition:
the capability in human functional terms
to be used easily and effectively by the
specified range of users, given specified
training and user support, to fulfil the
specified range of tasks within the
specified range of environment
scenarios.


(Shackel, 1979)
Usability
Usable technology is:
acceptable to the people
appropriate for the activities
suitable for the context
4 Factors:
People (Users)
Activities (Tasks)
Context (Environment)
Technology
Organisational
and Social Context
People
Technology
Activities
Physical
Environment
User Centred Design

Gould and Lewis 1975
Early focus on users and tasks
Empirical measurement
Iterative design
User Centred Design Principles
Users tasks and goals are driving force behind
development
Users behaviour and context of use are studied and
the system is designed to support them
Users characteristics are captured and designed for
Users are consulted throughout the development and
their input taken into account
All design decisions are taken within the context of
the users, their work and the environment
(Preece et al 2002)
User needs analysis/PACT
User characterisation or Stakeholder
analysis
Primary users
Secondary users
Task analysis/description
Context Analysis
aka Situation Analysis, Environment
Analysis



User Characterisation
user characteristics
physical abilities and skills
general abilities
knowledge
computer familiarity
naive
novice
skilled
expert
frequency of use
casual

Task description
Who?
What?
Where?
When?
How often?
Task dependencies
Task analysis
goal, device, tasks, sub-tasks, actions

Edit letter Print letter
Enter text Amend
......
...... ......
Move cursor
TASKS GOAL
Produce a letter
Selecting a device
determines the tasks
DEVICE
(Preece et al, p412)
Environment analysis
Physical environment
location of activity
physical objects
heat, light, noise etc
Social and Organisational context
roles and responsibilities
location of people
communication
interruptions
Technology
New/old computers
Fast/slow network connections
Large/small screens
Desktop/portable/pervasive/wearable
Interaction Design

Identifying needs and establishing
requirements
Developing alternative designs
Building interactive versions of designs
Evaluating designs
Standards and Guidelines
Principles
strive for consistency
Rules
adopt a consistent format for the location of
various display features from one display to
another
House styles
Standards and directives
Prototyping
Low fidelity
High fidelity

Horizontal
Vertical

Throw away
Evolutionary
Premises:
The system should be designed to
match user requirements - people
should not have to change to fit in with
the system
People should be able to concentrate
on their activities rather than on how to
use the system