Human–computer interaction

Human–computer interaction (HCI) is a multidisciplinary field of study focusing on the design of computer technology and, in particular, the interaction between humans (the users) and computers. While initially concerned with computers, HCI has since expanded to cover almost all forms of information technology design.

Overview

Human–computer interaction involves the study, planning, and design of the interaction between people (users) and computers. It is often regarded as the intersection of computer science, behavioral sciences, design and several other fields of study. The term was popularized by Stuart K. Card, Allen Newell, and Thomas P. Moran in their seminal 1983 book, The Psychology of Human-Computer Interaction, although the authors first used the term in 1980, and the first known use was in 1975.

History

The field of HCI was born in the early 1980s with the advent of personal computing, just as machines such as the Apple Macintosh, IBM PC 5150, and Commodore 64 started showing up in homes and offices in society at large. Prior to that, interaction with computers was primarily through specialists, typically software developers and systems administrators.

Design principles

The following are some general principles, as collected from the interaction design literature, to consider when designing for Human–computer interaction:

• Visibility (system status should be always visible)
• Feedback
• Constraints (limiting the actions that can be performed)
• Consistency
• Affordance (a property in which the physical characteristics of an object or environment influence its function)

Methods

There are many methods to enhance the process of Human–computer interaction, including:

• Usability testing
• Contextual inquiry
• Personas
• Cognitive walkthrough
• Think aloud protocol
• Heuristic evaluation
• Rapid prototyping
• Card sorting

See also

• Computer user satisfaction
• User interface design
• User-centered design
• Usability
• Interaction design
• User experience design