Human-Computer Interaction Makes Interactions More Human
The design of an interface between humans and computers has a direct impact on the efficiency of the interaction between the two parties. HCI emerged in the 1980s with the popularization of personal computing. Computers were no longer being built just for experts, and the goal of HCI was to make all interaction with computers easy and efficient for broad groups of users at different skill levels.
HCI practitioners observe the ways in which people interact with computers and then design technologies to help them use computers more efficiently. The goal is to minimize interaction cost–the amount of physical and mental effort a user must exert when using the technology–and make interactions more human.
As a discipline, HCI is a forerunner of user experience design. The HCI field seeks to improve human-computer interaction by improving the functionality, reliability, usability, and comfort of computer interfaces.
Iterative design is one of the foundational principles of HCI. Once a designer has gained an understanding of his or her target audience, their tasks, and the empirical measurements surrounding an interaction, designers follow several iterative design steps: design the user interface; conduct user testing; analyze the results of testing; repeat. The iterative design process is repeated until a user-friendly interface is created.
The interaction between a machine and a human can be facilitated in multiple ways. Generally, it’s possible to utilize one or more human senses to form the basis of a UI, such as tactile UI (touch), visual UI (sight), and auditory UI (sound). HCI practitioners find the optimal combination that fits the purpose of the product. For example, for a mobile app, this might be a combination of visual UI and auditory UI.
The rise of mobile devices has prompted UX practitioners to focus on making HCI accessible to large groups of users including cognitively or physically impaired users. Another challenge of HCI design is the need to create omnichannel experiences while considering emerging technologies like VR devices. A typical user might have a range of devices that they interact with, and they should be able to switch from device to device and continue the user journey in a comfortable and effective way. This means HCI practitioners now need to think about every digital product in a holistic way and place even more focus on the needs and wants of end-users.
What Are the Components of HCI and How Are They Related?
There are three main components of human-computer interaction: the user, the interface, and how they work together. How the user interacts with the interface is where behavioral science, computer science, and other fields of study intersect. The relationship between these components is important because computers have nearly infinite uses, and there are countless opportunities for open-ended dialogue between users and computers. By analyzing the relationship between the user and the interface itself, organizations can provide efficient, usable products no matter who the user is.
Why Do We Need HCI?
Human-computer interaction is a fundamental part of the digital world. Every app, software, and product we build interacts with a human, and these interactions must be understood to be thoughtful and effective. At its core, human-computer interaction is necessary because it puts people first by better understanding how they use technology.
Human-computer interaction also makes technology more accessible. No two users are the same, and some may be elderly or cognitively or physically impaired. HCI seeks to understand every user and how they interact with technology to make these interactions better.
Read on for more details and insights into human-computer interaction and to learn more about the latest developments in UX design knowledge.