Map of Human Computer Interaction
What does the discipline of HCI cover?
Why study HCI?
Saul Greenberg
Overview: Map of Human Computer Interaction
Use and Context
Social Organization and Work
Human-Machine Fit and Adaptation
Application Areas
and Interaction
Input and
Output Devices
Example Systems
and Case Studies
Techniques and Tools
Development Process
Saul Greenberg
Use and context of computers
Problems of fitting computers, their uses, and the context of use together
Social organization and work
• humans are interacting social beings
• considers models of human activity:
- small groups, organizations, socio-technical systems
• quality of work life…
Application areas
• characteristics of application domains, e.g. individual vs group work
• popular styles
- document production, communications, design, tutorials and help, multi-media
information kiosks, continuous control (cockpits, process control), embedded
systems (copiers, home appliances)
Human-machine fit and adaptation
• improve the fit between the designed object and its use
- how systems are selected and adopted; how users improvise routine systems;
how systems adapt to the user (customization); how users adapt to the system
(training, ease of learning); user guidance (help, documentation, error-handling)
Saul Greenberg
Saul Greenberg
Human characteristics
To understand the human as an information-processing system,
how humans communicate, and
people’s physical and psychological requirements
Human information processing
• characteristics of the human as a processor of information
- memory, perception, motor skills, attention, problem-solving, learning and skill
acquisition, motivation, conceptual models, diversity...
Language, communication and interaction
• aspects of language
- syntax, semantics, pragmatics; conversational interaction, specialized languages
• anthropometric and physiological characteristics of people and their
relationship to workspace and the environment
- arrangement of displays and controls; cognitive and sensory limits; effects of
display technology; fatigue and health; furniture and lighting; design for
stressful and hazardous environments; design for the disabled...
Saul Greenberg
Computer system and interface architecture
The specialized components computers have for interacting with people
Input and output devices
• mechanics and characteristics of particular hardware devices, performance
characteristics (human and system), esoteric devices, virtual devices
Dialogue techniques
• the basic software architecture and techniques for interacting with humans
- e.g. dialog inputs and outputs; interaction styles; issues
Dialog genre
• The conceptual uses to which the technical means are put
- e.g. interaction and content metaphors, transition management, style and
Computer graphics
• basic concepts from computer graphics that are especially useful to HCI
Dialogue architecture
• software architecture and standards for interfaces
- e.g., screen imaging; window managers; interface toolkits; multi-user
architectures, look and feel, standardization and interoperability
Saul Greenberg
The Development Process
The construction and evaluation of human interfaces
Design approaches
• the process of design
- e.g. graphical design basics (typography, color, etc); software engineering; task
analysis; industrial design...
Implementation techniques and tools
• tactics and tools for implementation, and the relationship between design,
evaluation and implementation
- e.g. prototyping techniques, dialog toolkits, object-oriented methods, data
representation and algorithms
Evaluation techniques
• philosophy and specific methods for evaluation
- e.g. productivity, usability testing, formative and summative evaluation
Example systems and case studies
• classic designs to serve as example of interface design genres
Saul Greenberg
Why study human use of computer systems?
Business view:
• to use humans more productively/effectively
• the human costs now far outweigh hardware and software costs
Personal view:
• people view computers as appliances, and want it to perform as one
Marketplace view:
• everyday people using computers
now expect “easy to use system”
not tolerant of poorly designed systems
little vendor control of training
heterogeneous group
• if product is hard to use, people will seek other products
- eg Mac vs IBM (Microsoft Windows)
Saul Greenberg
Why study human use of computer systems?
The system view:
• complex human
• complex computer
• complex interface between the two
The human factors view:
• humans have necessary limitations
• errors are costly in terms of
loss of time
loss of money
loss of lives in critical systems
loss of morale
• design can cope with such limitations!
Saul Greenberg
Why study human use of computer systems?
The social view:
Computers contribute to critical parts of our society, and cannot be
• educate our children
• take medical histories and provide expert advice
• keep track of our credit worthiness
• play(?) war games (and help form policies)
• control air and ground traffic flow
• book travel
• control chemical/oil/nuclear plants
• control space missions
• assist humans with their everyday tasks (office automation)
• control complex machines (aircraft, space shuttles, super tankers)
• help control consumer equipment (cars, washing machines)
• entertainment (games, intellectual stimulation).…
In all these views, economics and human best interests are aligned
Saul Greenberg
You know now
The HCI discipline includes the study of:
• the use and context of computers
• human characteristics
• computer system and interface architecture
• the development process
HCI is worth studying because it aligns both human interests and
economic interests
Saul Greenberg

Overview of Human Computer Interaction