Interface Technology and Design

Human-Computer Interaction
Lectures:
1. Introduction to HCI
2. PACT analysis
3. Screen elements
4. Images
5. Screen layout

HCI Definitions
...a discipline concerned with the design,
evaluation and implementation of interactive
computing systems and with the study of
major phenomena surrounding them. (ACM
SIGCHI, 1992)
...the study of people, computer technology
and the ways these influence each other.
...making computer technology more usable
by people.
Development of HCI
2nd WW Weapons research

1950s Early computers: large,
expensive, used by experts

1980 PCs: small, cheap, ubiquitous
onward
A multidisciplinary subject
Cognitive
Psychology
Social &
Organisational
Psychology
Ergonomics
Engineering
Design
Social
Sciences
Linguistics
Computer
Science
Artificial
Intelligence
HCI
Adapted from Preece p38
The eye
Light reflected from objects
Cornea and lens focus light onto retina
Image focused upside down
Receptors transform image into
electrical signals which are passed to
the brain
Blind spot where optic nerve enters eye
Photoreceptors
Rods:
highly sensitive to light
unable to resolve fine detail
subject to light saturation
120m rods per eye
situated towards edges of retina
Photoreceptors
Cones:
less sensitive, can tolerate more light
3 types >> colour vision
6m cones per eye
situated around fovea

Ganglion cells
X cells:
around fovea
pattern detection
Y cells
widely distributed
movement detection
http://animation.about.com/od/flashanimati
ontutorials/qt/nonflashwebsite.htm
Premises:
The system should be designed to
match user requirements - people
should not have to change to fit in with
the system
People should be able to concentrate
on their activities rather than on how to
use the system
Expectations
How do you turn the lights on?
What is this?
Usability
Definition:
the capability in human functional terms to
be used easily and effectively by the
specified range of users, given specified
training and user support, to fulfil the
specified range of tasks within the specified
range of environment scenarios.


(Shackel, 1979)
Usability
Usable technology is:
acceptable to the people
appropriate for the activities
suitable for the context
4 Factors:
People (Users)
Activities (Tasks)
Context (Environment)
Technology
Organisational
and Social Context
People
Technology
Activities
Physical
Environment