Introduction to UI Analysis and Design
A well-designed user interface minimizes confusion. It leads users toward easy achievement of their own goals.
Introduction to Human Computer Interaction (HCI)
Definitions of HCI
- The way people and computing influence each other
- The way humans interact with computers
- The design, evaluation, and implementation of computing systems for human use
User Interface Design is important because for the user, the UI is the system.
User Productivity
UI is directly linked to user productivity.
User Productivity = Functionality * Usability
If either is zero, the system is useless
Defining a set of goals for the UI
Improve productivity and reduce costs through:
- Proper functionality: The program functions as expected
- Consistency: A UI element has the same behavior everywhere it is used (helps build mental models, use of metaphors)
- Efficiency: A good UI will assist users to complete tasks in timely manner and eliminate unnecessary steps
- Usability: System is easy to learn and intuitive
- Reliability: System functions without major flaws
- Security and Data integrity: System protects users data from tampering and alteration
Course Meta
A lot of the content of this course is theory. There will be lots of concepts and definitions which will seem obvious, but still needs to be memorized.
Investigating Users
Types of users
- Role: Pattern of use
- manager, salesperson, client, etc.
- Ability
- physical disability, colorblind, illiteracy, domain expert/novice, etc.
- Personality
- shy, disinterested, intimidated, etc.
Example: The Seven Types of iPhone Owners
HCI in Software Engineering
Can be viewed in multiple different ways (i.e. waterfall and iterative view).
The iterative view focuses on repeat cycles of designing, prototyping, evaluation, and implementation of user interfaces.