Human-computer interaction (HCI) is a complex, interdisciplinary and rapidly evolving field of study that has elements of software-engineering, information engineering, art and design, as well as psychology and human factors. Computer interfaces are not restricted to desktop and web applications, but also appear in a host of other devices such as phones, PDAs, media players, photographic equipment, appliances, and your automobile. New devices such as holographic displays or virtual reality gloves and goggles present a more complex design environment than the 2D world of a traditional computer screen. Issues of accessibility, privacy and security also must be considered.
The purpose of this course is to introduce the elements of user-interface design and evaluation. We will introduce the basic principles and methodologies, focusing on desktop applications. Three recurring themes appear in the course:
- The computer is the interface.
Users develop an internal working model of the software they use from their interaction with the software's interface. (In other words, users can not separate what the interface can do from the capabilities of the software.) - Interface design should be based on
how the software is used.
Usage-centered design methodology makes software use the central design issue. - Implementation matters
Software use changes and evolves. No matter how good the interface is and how well it supports the use for which it was originally designed, software will not be maintainable if the underlying implementation is not clean (exhibits high cohesion, low coupling).
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