DES102: Introduction to HCI - Key Concepts and Terms

Vocabulary flashcards focusing on Gestalt principles, HCI, Interaction Design, UX models, Usability Goals, Accessibility, Inclusiveness, and Disability classifications.

Law of Continuity

A Gestalt principle suggesting that people are more likely to perceive continuous, smooth flowing lines rather than jagged, broken lines.

Law of Closure

A Gestalt principle stating that people organize their perceptions into complete objects rather than as a series of parts.

Principle of Common Region

A Gestalt principle stating that when objects are located within the same closed region, they are perceived as being grouped together.

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)

A field whose strength and tradition lies in human-centredness and usability concerns, developing methods, guidelines, principles, and standards to ensure systems are easy to use and easy to learn.

Interaction Design (ID)

A discipline originating from design schools that applies traditional approaches to design, emphasizing research, insight, and critical reflection.

User Experience (UX)

A discipline that emerged during the Internet era to emphasize the enjoyment and engagement of the whole interactive experience.

Pragmatic Quality

In Hassenzahl's (2010) user experience model, the dimension describing how simple, practical, and obvious it is for the user to achieve their goals.

Hedonic Quality

In Hassenzahl's (2010) user experience model, the dimension describing how evocative and stimulating the interaction is to users.

Usability Goals

Specific operational objectives for interactive systems, defined as being effective to use, efficient to use, safe to use, having good utility, easy to learn, and easy to remember.

Accessibility

The extent to which an interactive product is accessible by as many people as possible, with a primary focus on people with disabilities.

Inclusiveness

The practice of creating products and services that accommodate the widest possible number of people regardless of their disability, education, age, or income.

Sensory Impairment

A classification of disability involving the loss of sensory functions, such as vision or hearing.

Physical Impairment

A classification of disability involving loss of function to one or more parts of the body, such as following a stroke or spinal cord injury.

Cognitive Impairment

A classification of disability including learning impairment or loss of memory and cognitive function, often related to old age.

Permanent Impairment

A long-term condition of functional limitation, such as being a long-term wheelchair user.

Temporary Impairment

A short-term loss of function or capability resulting from an accident or illness.

Situational Impairment

An impairment caused by environmental context, such as being unable to hear audio in a high-noise environment.

Nielsen Norman Group

An interaction design consultancy that helps companies enter the age of the consumer by designing human-centered products and services.

Cooper

An interaction design consultancy specializing in moving from research and product development to goal-related design.

IDEO

An interaction design consultancy that creates products, services, and environments for companies pioneering new ways to provide value to their customers.

Alleles Design Studio

A studio known for designing fashionable prosthetic leg covers that move beyond functionality to become desirable and fashionable items.