Human Computer Interaction in Computing - Essay Example

Then the methods used for implementing these interfaces will be discussed and listed. Next the techniques for evaluating and comparing these interfaces will be analyzed, followed by information on why it is necessary to develop new interfaces and interaction techniques. Lastly the development of descriptive and predictive models and theories of interaction will be discussed. From the early 80's a number of different methodologies outlining techniques for human-computer interaction design has emerged.

Most of these stemmed from models of how users, designers and technical systems interact. Current models are more focused on constant feedback between users, designers and engineers on what type of experiences users want to have. Where early methodologies treated users; cognitive processes as predictable and quantifiable and encouraged design practitioners to look to cognitive science results in areas such as memory and attention when designing user interfaces. Currently engineers and designers utilise such a wide range of design methodologies and due to space limitations only a few will be discussed in this essay.

The first design methodology I will discuss is called User-Centered Design or UCD. . UCD is a multi-stage problem solving process that requires designers to first establish how users will likely use the interface, and then test their assumptions with regards to the actual user behaviour in the real world. User-Centered models help software designers to meet the goals and objectives required by the users. Some of the UCD models used are:Cooperative designParticipatory designContextual designThe main difference of UCD from other design methodologies is that UCD tries match the users interface around how people can, want, or need to work, rather than forcing them the user to change how they work to accommodate the system or function.

Interaction Design Interaction design (IxD or IaD) is used in helping to define and create the behaviour of technical, biological, environmental and organizational systems. IxD improves the usability and experience of the object or system, by first researching and understanding the goals, expectations, behaviours, and needs, and only then design the system in order to meet and even exceed requirements for designated groups. The general steps in IxD process are as follows: Design ResearchConcept GenerationCreation of Scenarios/Personas/ProfilesWireframing and Flow DiagramsPrototyping and TestingImplementationSystem TestingOther Interface Design Methodologies Additional methodologies used by designers and engineers world wide are the following:Value-sensitive designRapid prototypingIterative designUser scenarioAffordance analyzesScenario Based Design (SBD)Task analyzes/task modellingInterface Implementation Methods After interfaces have been designed it needs to be implemented in such a way that the user will be able to access