What do we classify as Human Computer Interaction (HCI)? And how will understanding this topic make us better designers? Just some of the questions I hope to answer…
HCI is embraced around user-centered design, which up holds the idea of interface design. This is based on the aim of ensuring that it supports the user rather than the technology.
As designers we strive to make things look pretty as well as functional. As you haven’t noticed the internet is quickly becoming the median for communication – be it for making emotional impact or to make money. Its therefore important to understand how we (humans) ‘can’ and more significantly ‘should’ interact with computers
What is interaction?
When people interact with a computer they are usually dealing with information. Their objective in using a computer is to carry out a task in which information is accessed, manipulated or created. Therefore the design is reliant on a user’ cognitive processes and capabilities.
Cognitive psychology is one of the disciplines that is the foundation of HCI and plays a vital role in the overall design process. The overall aim of applying cognitive psychology to design is to ensure that this information processing activity is within the capabilities of the users’ mental processes.
Cognitive psychology can help improve the design by:
- Exploring and explaining the makeup and causes of the problems users face
- Providing knowledge about what user can and cannot be expected to do
- Using the knowledge to produce suitable interface designs and processes. The UI needs to be designed to be easy to understand and use, whilst being flexible enough for the objective.
Next…
- The ‘can’ and ‘should’ way of design
- The scope of HCI
- Exploring Cognitive psychology
- What are Mental Models?
