hci prelims

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)

A cross-disciplinary area that deals with the theory, design, implementation, and evaluation of how humans use and interact with computing devices.

High Usability

Interactive design and operations based on correctness, efficiency, safety, utility, learning, and retention.

User Experience

The overall satisfaction and involvement of users including enjoyment, usefulness, motivation, and aesthetics.

User Interface

The means through which humans interact with computing devices using software and hardware.

Interaction

An abstract model describing how humans interact with computers to complete tasks.

Interface

The boundary where two independent systems meet and communicate.

Importance of HCI

Usable and efficient interaction leads to higher productivity and better user satisfaction.

User-Centered Design

A design principle that focuses on the needs, abilities, and limitations of target users.

Universal Usability

A concept that promotes interfaces usable by a wide range of users.

Task

The job a user wants to accomplish using an interactive system.

Reduce Memory Load

A principle that minimizes short-term and long-term memory demands on users.

Strive for Consistency

Maintaining uniform interaction and interface design to reduce confusion and errors.

Feedback

System responses that inform users about the results of their actions.

Prevent Errors

Designing systems to avoid mistakes and allow easy recovery such as undo actions.

Natural Interaction and Interface

Designing interfaces that reflect real-world actions and behaviors.

HCI Guidelines

A set of recommended information used to guide human-computer interaction design and development.

Guidelines

Specific and detailed advice on how interfaces should be designed and implemented.

Guideline Categories

Classification of guidelines based on criteria such as user type, platform, and task context.

General HCI Design

Guidelines related to layout, information structure, user input, output visualization, and aesthetics.

User Type

Guidelines based on user characteristics such as age, disability, occupation, culture, and gender.

Platform/System Setup

Guidelines dependent on the computing platform such as mobile or desktop systems.

Vendor/Organization

Guidelines influenced by organizational identity or design style.

Interface Style/Modality

Guidelines based on interaction styles such as WIMP or multimodal interfaces.

Task/Operational Context

Guidelines considering environment, location, time, and physical constraints.

Applications

Guidelines specific to application types such as games, media, and e-commerce.

Display Layout

The organization of relevant information and interface elements on a screen.

Avoid Cluttered Display

Reducing unnecessary elements to keep the interface organized.

Optimize Display Density

Balancing information quantity to avoid overwhelming users.

Taking User Input

Designing efficient ways for users to enter data and system commands.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

An interface that uses visual elements such as buttons, icons, menus, and forms.

Consistency of Data Entry

Ensuring uniform data-entry actions across the system.

Minimal Input Action

Reducing the number of actions required from the user.

Minimal Memory Load

Reducing the need for users to remember information during data entry.

Clear and Effective Labeling

Using understandable labels for buttons and fields.

User with Disability

Guidelines ensuring accessibility for users with impairments.

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1

Guidelines for making web content accessible to people with disabilities.

Perceivable

Information must be presented in ways users can perceive.

Operable

User interface components must be usable through different input methods.

Understandable

Information and interface operations must be easy to understand.

Robust

Content must work with current and future assistive technologies.

Mobile Device

Guidelines focused on improving smartphone usability.

Minimize Typing

Reducing user input effort on mobile devices.

Large Hit Targets

Designing large touch targets for accurate selection.

Efficient Use of Screen Space

Maximizing limited mobile display space.

Human Factors

The study of how humans interact with technology considering cognitive, sensory, and physical capabilities.

Human Information Processing

How humans receive, interpret, store, and act on information.

Human Problem-Solving Model

A framework viewing interaction as problem solving through actions on objects.

Sensation

The sensing of external information through visual, aural, or haptic means.

Perception

The interpretation of sensed information.

Memory

The storage of short-term and long-term information.

Decision/Executor

The process of deciding and executing actions.

Mental Model

The internal understanding users form about how a system works.

Gulf of Execution

The gap between user intentions and system-supported actions.

Gulf of Evaluation

The gap between system output and user interpretation.

GOMS Model

A model predicting user behavior using goals, operators, methods, and selection rules.

Goals

Tasks users want to achieve.

Operators

Basic perceptual, cognitive, or motor actions.

Methods

Sequences of actions used to achieve goals.

Selection Rules

Rules for choosing among methods.

Visual Modality

Information processing through vision.

Field of View (FOV)

The visible area seen by the human eye.

Viewing Distance

The distance between the eyes and the display.

Display Resolution

The number of pixels in a display.

Visual Acuity

The level of detail perceived by the eye.

Brightness

The amount of light emitted or perceived.

Color

Human response to different wavelengths of light.

Contrast

Difference in brightness or color between objects.

Aural Modality

Use of sound as feedback or input.

Intensity

The volume of sound.

Phase

Timing differences between sound waves.

Speech Recognition

System ability to recognize spoken language.

Natural Language Understanding

AI capability to understand human language.

Haptic Modality

Interaction using touch sensations.

Multimodal Interaction

Interaction using multiple input and output methods.

Human Body Ergonomics

Designing interfaces based on physical comfort and efficiency.

Motor Capabilities

Human physical movement abilities during interaction.

Fitts’ Law

A law predicting movement time based on distance and target size.

Motor Control

Initiation and execution of voluntary movements.