Day School 01: Introduction to HCI**

(07/09/2024)

Day School 01: Introduction to HCI (07/09/2024)

What is HCI (Human-Computer Interaction)?: Study of how people interact with computers,
focusing on human-centric interactive systems.

Technological and human perspectives (memory, perception, attention, language,

communication, etc.).

Goals of HCI: Usability, enhancing user experience, addressing workplace issues.

Usability defined by: Learnability, efficiency, memorability, errors, and satisfaction.

Interaction Design: Focuses on shaping digital artifacts for human use, exploring futures, and
creating solutions.

Human Factors in HCI: Physical, cognitive, and cultural aspects (perception, mental models, age,
etc.).
Key Concepts:

Affordance: Properties of objects determining their use (e.g., a handle on a cup).

Visibility: How controls on interfaces are presented to users (car dashboard example).
Good vs. Bad User Experience: Bad design leads to user frustration, more errors, and longer
task times.

Interaction Models: Includes command line interfaces, menu systems, natural language, WIMP
(Windows, Icons, Menus, Pointers), and point-and-click interfaces.
Importance of HCI in Society: Affects daily life, business, accessibility, and user satisfaction.

Day School 02: Human Factors and Ergonomics in Design (15/09/2024)

Human Factors in Design: Focus on how users interact with systems, applying knowledge of
human limitations and abilities to design.

Goals: Enhancing safety, reducing errors, increasing productivity, and comfort.

History of Human Factors: Research on human aspects in design dates back to Leonardo Da
Vinci (anthropometrics).
Interaction Models: Help designers understand the interaction between user and system
(examples include Microsoft Word and Excel).

Ergonomics: Study of how physical characteristics affect interaction effectiveness. Focus on

posture, reducing stress (carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, etc.).
Interaction Styles:

Command Line Interface (CLI): Suitable for expert users.

 Menus: Useful for novice users; must have meaningful groupings and shortcuts for efficiency.

Natural Language: Speech recognition, often limited by vagueness and ambiguity.

Form-fills and Query Languages: Common in database applications and data entry forms.
3D Interfaces: Used in virtual reality, allowing for depth and immersion in digital environments.
Donald Norman’s 7-Step Model: User-centered approach to system usability, focusing on how
users formulate goals and interact with system states.

Ergonomics Tips: Proper posture, use of input devices, regular breaks to prevent injury (carpal
tunnel, back pain).

Day School 03: User-Centered Design and Usability Testing (12/10/2024)

Human-Centered Design (HCD): Focus on users, their needs, and tasks throughout the design
process.

Methods: Field studies, user interviews, contextual inquiries.

Design Steps: Analysis (task analysis, card sorting), design (participatory design), and
evaluation (usability testing, focus groups).
Prototyping: Iterative process to refine designs based on user feedback.

Know Your User: Techniques like persona creation, scenario-based approaches, and consumer
journey mapping help designers understand user needs and behaviors.

Persona Technique: Creating profiles of example users (e.g., “Betty” as a surrogate user).

Scenario-based Approach: Step-by-step walkthroughs of how users interact with the product.

Usability Inspection Methods: Evaluation techniques to assess system functionality and user
satisfaction (e.g., cognitive walkthroughs and heuristic evaluations).

Cognitive Walkthrough: Experts simulate user interactions to evaluate system learnability.

Heuristic Evaluation: Checking if designs follow usability principles and standards.

Experimental Evaluation: Controlled testing of system behavior with different variables.

Hypothesis Testing: Variables like interface style and error rates are tested to improve design.

Usability Testing: Identifying design flaws, improving the user experience, and understanding user
preferences.

Core Elements: Effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction (ISO 9241 Usability Standards).
Accessibility Testing: Ensuring systems are usable by people with disabilities.

Day School 01: Introduction to HCI

Definition and Goals

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI): Study of designing and evaluating interactive systems for
human use, focusing on usability and user experience.

Goals:
 Create usable interfaces that meet user needs.
Enhance existing products for better usability.
Address user problems through software solutions.

Usability Components:

1. Learnability: Ease with which new users can learn to use the system.

2. Efficiency: Speed at which tasks can be completed.

3. Memorability: Ease of reusing the system after a break.
4. Errors: Frequency and severity of errors, and ease of recovery.
5. Satisfaction: User enjoyment and contentment.

Human Factors in HCI:

Cognitive Aspects: Memory, perception, and decision-making processes.

Physical Considerations: Diverse user characteristics (e.g., disabilities, age).
Environmental Context: Cultural, social, and organizational influences.

Interaction Paradigms:

Past: Basic user interfaces with limited functionality.

Present: Advanced technologies (touchscreens, motion capture).
Future: Innovations like 3D conferencing and smart devices.

Donald Norman’s Model:

Seven stages of user interaction:

1. Establish a goal.

2. Formulate an intention.
3. Specify actions.
4. Execute actions.
5. Perceive system state.
6. Interpret system state.
7. Evaluate system state.

Day School 02: Human Factors and Interaction Models

Human Factors Design:

Definition: Application of human capabilities and limitations in system design.

Goals:

Improve safety.
Minimize errors.

Enhance user comfort and productivity.

 Support efficient human-machine interaction.

Interaction Models:

Purpose: Represent the relationship between user actions and system responses.
Examples:

Microsoft Word: Mimics a typewriter.

Microsoft Excel: Simulates a ledger for accountants.

Ergonomics:

Definition: Study of user physical interaction with tools and environments.

Key Focus Areas:

Proper posture (e.g., ergonomic chairs).

Tool design (e.g., keyboards, mouse).
Prevention of health issues (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome, eye strain).
Recommendations: Use ergonomic devices, take regular breaks, maintain proper body
alignment.

Interaction Styles:

1. Command Line: Direct input; suited for experts.

2. Menus: Hierarchical options; easy for novices.
3. Natural Language: Speech or text-based; challenging due to ambiguity.
4. WIMP Interfaces: Windows, Icons, Menus, and Pointers; common in desktops.
5. 3D Interfaces: Used in virtual and augmented reality.

Day School 03: Human-Centered Design

Design Process:

1. Requirement Gathering: Understanding what users need (e.g., interviews, surveys).

2. Analysis: Task and card sorting to identify patterns.
3. Design: Participatory methods involving users.
4. Iteration and Prototyping:

Repeated cycles of design, test, and improvement.

Prototyping techniques: Paper prototypes, storyboards.

5. Implementation: Building and deploying the final solution.

Understanding Users:

Techniques:

Persona Creation: Develop fictional user profiles to represent target audiences.

 Consumer Journey Mapping: Analyze user interactions over time.
Empathy Mapping: Gain insights into user needs and emotions.

Usability Evaluation:

Methods:

Cognitive Walkthrough: Experts simulate user tasks to identify issues.

Heuristic Evaluation: Check against usability principles (e.g., simplicity, feedback).
Experimental Testing: Measure user performance under controlled conditions.

Standards:

ISO 9241: Focuses on:

Effectiveness: Achieving intended goals.

Efficiency: Completing tasks with minimal effort.
Satisfaction: Providing a pleasant user experience.

Key Goals:

Identify system flaws.

Improve user satisfaction and system functionality.
Ensure accessibility for diverse users.

Let me know if you need elaboration on any specific section or additional topics!