Introduction to HCI-ICT 462

LECTURE 1
Labs

i. Tasks should be completed individually

ii. Due date for b assignment 1&2 is March 2025

Task 1: Wireframing and Prototyping Objective: To learn the basics of wireframing and prototyping for interface design.

1. Task: Design a mobile app for a campus event schedule.

2. Tools: Use a tool like Balsamiq, Figma, or Sketch for creating wireframes and prototypes.

3. Deliverables: Each student should create a set of wireframes illustrating key screens of the app, followed by an interactive
prototype.

4. Presentation: Present your design rationale and demonstrate the prototype's flow.

Task 2: Accessibility Evaluation Objective: To understand the principles of accessibility and evaluate an interface's accessibility.

1. Task: Choose a website and assess its accessibility.

2. Guidelines: Use WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) as a reference.

3. Evaluation: Each student performs an accessibility evaluation using tools like WAVE or axe. Identify and document
accessibility issues.

4. Remediation: Suggest solutions to improve the website's accessibility based on your findings.
Introduction…………….

 Be able to describe the main aims of HCI

 Be able to discuss the multi-disciplinary nature of HCI
 Appreciate how computer systems have evolved over the past four
decades
 Be able to discuss the possible costs of systems designed without
attention being paid to the HCI.
Foundations of Human-Computer
Interaction
• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is a multidisciplinary field that focuses
on the design, evaluation, and implementation of interactive computing
systems for human use.

• It encompasses various disciplines such as computer science, psychology,

design, and ergonomics to create interfaces that are intuitive, efficient, and
satisfying for users.

• The foundations of HCI are built upon key principles, theories, and
concepts that guide the development of interactive systems.
Key factors to consider
• 1. User-Centered Design (UCD): UCD is a fundamental principle
in HCI that emphasizes designing systems around the needs,
preferences, and abilities of users.

• It involves involving users throughout the design process, from

requirements gathering to iterative prototyping and usability testing.

• By prioritizing user needs, UCD aims to create interfaces that are

user-friendly, intuitive, and effective
• 2. Usability: Usability refers to the ease of use and effectiveness of a
system in achieving its intended goals. It encompasses factors such as
learnability, efficiency, memorability, error prevention, and user
satisfaction.
 Key factors to consider…
• 3. Cognitive Psychology: Understanding human cognition is
essential in HCI for designing interfaces that align with users' mental
models, perception, memory, and decision-making processes.

• Cognitive psychology theories such as the Gestalt principles, mental

models, and information processing models provide insights into
how users perceive, process, and interact with information.
• 4. Interaction Design (IxD): Interaction design focuses on creating
meaningful and engaging interactions between users and digital interfaces.

• It involves designing intuitive interfaces, defining interaction patterns, and

considering factors such as affordances, feedback, and mapping between user
actions and system responses.

• Principles from IxD guide the development of interfaces that support

efficient and enjoyable user interactions.
Key factors to consider…
• 5. Accessibility: Accessibility ensures that interactive systems are usable by
individuals with diverse abilities and disabilities.

• Designing accessible interfaces involves considering factors such as screen

readers, keyboard navigation, alternative input methods, and color contrast.

• Accessibility guidelines such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines

(WCAG) provide standards for creating inclusive interfaces.
• 6. Information Architecture: Information architecture focuses on
organizing and structuring information within interactive systems to
facilitate navigation, understanding, and retrieval.

• It involves designing intuitive navigation schemes, labeling systems, and

information hierarchies to help users find and access content efficiently.
Information architecture principles contribute to the clarity and
organization of interfaces.
Key factors to consider…

• 7. Evaluation Methods: HCI employs various evaluation methods to

assess the usability and effectiveness of interactive systems.

• These methods include usability testing, heuristic evaluation, user

interviews, surveys, and analytics.

• Evaluation helps identify usability issues, gather user feedback, and

inform design decisions throughout the development process.
What are the goals of the study of HCI
(Human Computer Interaction)?
• The ultimate goal of HCI is to enable people to build computer systems that
users find efficient, effective, safe and satisfying to use.

• This, however, cannot be achieved in a vacuum, so a lower level goal is to

develop tools, techniques and guidelines for use by system builders.

• This goal in turn relies on research that seeks to understand the various
factors (psychological, physical, technical etc) that determine how well
humans interact with computer systems.
Importance of Human-Computer
Interaction:
• HCI is crucial because it directly impacts how users perceive and interact
with technology.
• A well-designed HCI can lead to enhanced user satisfaction, improved
productivity, and reduced errors.
• It also contributes to the success and adoption of digital products and
systems.
• When technology is designed with the user's needs and preferences in
mind, it becomes more accessible to a wider range of users, including those
with disabilities.
• The diagram shows the way in which each of the higher level goals builds on a
lower one. The foundation of HCI is to have a clear understanding about the
factors that influence how people interact with computerised systems.
The Relationship of HCI to Other Fields of
Study

• Human beings and computer systems are both hugely complex. HCI therefore
draws extensively on many fields of study in seeking ways to improve their
interaction. Some of the most influential fields and their main areas of input to
HCI are outlined below:
• Psychology has a major influence on HCI. Many HCI professionals have a
background in psychology and all HCI practitioners need at least some
understanding of the subject.
• Physiology is important in helping to understand people’s physical capabilities
and limitations that must be taken into account when building systems.
The Relationship of HCI to Other Fields of
Study…
• Sociology is becoming increasingly significant to HCI, as
many computer systems are developed to aid communications
and co-operation between people often working remotely.

• Ergonomics It contributes considerable understanding about

how to design physical devices that are safe and comfortable
to use.
The Relationship of HCI to Other Fields of
Study…
• Graphic design clearly has a lot to contribute in the design of high quality
graphical elements (both two and three-dimensional) that are pleasing and
meaningful for people to use.

• Engineering and Computer Science contribute in two main ways. Firstly, to the
development of faster and more powerful computing devices. Secondly, to the
development of software engineering as a discipline in its own right whose aim is
the production of high quality software systems.
Motivation
• Motivation is a critical aspect of human-computer interaction (HCI) that
drives individuals to engage with interactive systems. Understanding the
underlying motivations behind user behavior is essential for designing
interfaces that effectively meet users' needs and goals. The foundations of
HCI motivation delve into psychological theories and principles that
elucidate why users interact with technology and how designers can leverage
these motivations to create engaging experiences.
Contexts for HCI
• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) occurs within various contexts that
influence how users interact with technology and shape their experiences.
Understanding these contexts is essential for designing interfaces that
accommodate users' diverse needs, preferences, and constraints. The
foundations of HCI contexts encompass a range of factors, including
environmental, social, cultural, and technological aspects, which interact to
shape the user experience
Quick Quiz Question 1

• The top level goal of HCI is to enable people to build systems that have
certain qualities from a user’s point of view. What are those qualities?
A Brief Look at the Evolution of Human
Computer Interaction
• Computer systems have changed dramatically over the last 50 years. This section very
briefly traces that development in terms of the types of computer system users and the
predominant I/O devices in use.
• 1960s + 70s –The Age of the Mainframes
• Direct users of computers were trained specialists such as computer operators,
programmers and data input clerks. Other users interacted indirectly with the system e.g.
through receiving printed reports.

• Predominant I/O devices were punched cards, paper tape, line printer output, teletype
consoles for operators
A Brief Look at the Evolution of Human Computer
Interaction

• Late 70s + early 80s- Mini Computers

• Users were similar to the group described above plus other trained technical
users.
• The range of I/O devices in widespread use enlarged to include character
based terminals, keyboards, line printers, daisy wheel, and dot matrix
printers.
A Brief Look at the Evolution of Human Computer
Interaction
• Late 80s to 90s – PCs
• The range of users widened to include many people with little or no computer training. Home
computers became common for leisure and educational use.

• Widespread I/O devices included mice, high-resolution graphics, multimedia devices and laser
printers.

• The present and the future – Mobile Computing Age

• The range of users continues to enlarge to include almost everyone in highly industrialised
countries such as the US. One of the main driving forces is the desire and need to use the Internet
for work, leisure and everyday activities such as banking and shopping
• The changes in computer users and technical advances have been accompanied by a shift
in focus in computer system development. The shift is from functionality being the key,
and sometimes only, concern towards usability being seen to be of equal importance.

• The philosophy of designing for usability is that: the system should be made to fit the user
rather than the user be made to fit the system.
Components of HCI Model:
1. User: The person interacting with the computer system.
2. Task: The specific activity the user aims to accomplish using the system.
3. Computer System: The hardware and software that the user interacts
with.
4. Context of Use: The environment and conditions in which the user
interacts with the system.
5. Input: The actions and commands provided by the user to the computer
system.
6. Output: The responses and feedback provided by the computer system to
the user.
Quick Quiz Question 2

a) Ergonomics is one field of study that HCI draws on. What is the major
difference between HCI and ergonomics?
b) Name three other fields that HCI draws on.
What is an Interface?
• An interface in the context of HCI refers to the point of interaction
between the user and the computer system.
• It is the medium through which users communicate with and control the
technology.
• Interfaces can take various forms, including graphical user interfaces
(GUIs) with buttons and menus, command-line interfaces (CLI) with text-
based commands, touch-based interfaces, and even voice-based interfaces
like virtual assistants.
• Risks of Poor User Interface: A poor user interface can lead to several
negative consequences, including:
1. User Frustration: Confusing or counterintuitive interfaces can frustrate
users, leading to dissatisfaction and a lack of trust in the system.
2. Errors and Mistakes: Unclear instructions or confusing layouts can
cause users to make mistakes and errors while interacting with the system.
3. Reduced Productivity: Difficult-to-use interfaces can slow down users
and decrease their efficiency in completing tasks.
4. Increased Training Needs: If the interface is not intuitive, users may
require more training to use the system effectively.
5. Limited Adoption: A poorly designed interface can deter potential users
from adopting the technology, reducing its overall success.
Developing Interaction
• Developing an effective interaction involves understanding the needs,
preferences, and abilities of the users.

• It includes the process of designing, implementing, and evaluating

interfaces to ensure they meet the users' requirements and expectations.

• User-centered design methodologies play a vital role in creating successful

interactions by involving users throughout the development process and
incorporating their feedback.
What Does HCI seek to Understand?

• Our start point for studying HCI is the lowest level of the three goals
described at the beginning of this lecture.
• That is to understand factors (psychological, physical, technical etc) that
determine how well humans interact with computer systems.
• The diagram below illustrates the four interacting elements that HCI seeks
to understand. It shows the user interacting with some computer system to
accomplish a task within an environment.
Of these elements we will focus on
understanding:

The user: their physical and mental

capabilities and limitations and how these
affect the design of systems.

The computer system: the range and

nature of available I/O devices and the
various interface styles that can be
presented by software systems.
 Quick Quiz Question 3

Describe four possible costs of poor HCI