Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is a field that concerns how humans and computers interact to perform a certain goal. The purpose of HCI is to design interactive systems for successful human use.
HCI does not concern only technological factors. It is also intertwined with the discipline of
As the name suggests, HCI involves three elements:
The human
The computer
The interaction
In HCI, all these three terms combine to guide
The human in HCI refers to the user who is using the computer to get some task done. This is where cognitive psychology comes in, as the internal mental processes of humans play a part in their interaction with technology.
Cognitive psychology states that humans perceive and solve problems similar to computers. They use some input channels to take in information, store it in short-term or long-term memory, and process it using reasoning and problem-solving skills. Therefore, all these factors of human cognition should be considered when designing computer systems. These human factors are also known as ergonomics.
The computer in HCI refers to any technological system with which the human interacts. When advanced technology such as
The user interface is a part of the computer system. It is the point of interaction between the human and the computer. This is where interface design comes in, and UI/UX designing plays an essential role in determining the success of HCI.
The interaction in HCI refers to the communication between the user and computer to accomplish a task. The purpose of HCI is to ensure that this interaction is efficient and intuitive, calling for low effort from the user’s side.
Interaction design focuses on designing interfaces in a user-centered way. It states that the designer must consider the user’s needs and contextual environment while creating an interface for successful interaction.
Note: Human-Computer Interaction is not successful if any one of the terms is ignored. Therefore, the designer should pay attention to all of them.
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