Notes

1. Group 5: Introduction
Group Members:
 Edington Tsikayi – R2210000J
 Jivas Chatukuta - R198004Y
Presentation Topics:
What HCI and Why it is important?
Principles Of Human Computer Interaction:
 Know Thy User”
 Understand the Task
 Reduce Memory Load
 Strive for Consistency
 Remind Users and Refresh Their Memory
 Prevent Errors/Reversal of Action
 Naturalness
Human Computer Interaction

2. What Is HCI and Why it is important?
1. What Is HCI and Why it is important?
Definition: HCI is a field of study concerned with designing and evaluating interactive
computing systems for human use. It focuses on creating systems that are efficient,
effective, and enjoyable to use.
Why is HCI Important?
• User Experience: HCI plays a crucial role in enhancing the user experience. By
designing systems that are intuitive, easy to use, and visually appealing, HCI helps to
create products that users love and enjoy.
• Accessibility: HCI ensures that digital systems are accessible to people with disabilities.
By incorporating accessibility features, HCI helps to promote inclusivity and equal
participation.
• Efficiency and Productivity: Well-designed HCI systems can improve efficiency and
productivity. By reducing user errors and streamlining workflows, HCI can help users
accomplish their tasks more quickly and effectively.
• Innovation: HCI drives innovation by exploring new ways to interact with technology. By
pushing the boundaries of what is possible, HCI can lead to the development of
groundbreaking products and services.
• Economic Impact: HCI has a significant economic impact. By creating products that are
easy to use and appealing to consumers, HCI can help businesses increase sales and
market share.

3. Know Thy User
2. Principles of HCI – Know Thy User
1. Know Thy User: The first principle of HCI, "Know Thy User," is foundational to designing
effective and user-friendly systems. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the
users' needs, goals, and behaviors to create systems that are tailored to their specific
requirements..
Key Components of "Know Thy User“
• User Research: Conduct in-depth studies to understand users' needs, goals, and
behaviors through qualitative and quantitative methods.
• User Personas: Create detailed fictional characters representing different user groups
to empathize with users and make informed design decisions.
• User Journey Mapping: Visualize the steps users take to achieve their goals, identifying
pain points and opportunities for improvement.
• Empathy: Put yourself in the user's shoes to understand their perspective, avoid
assumptions, and design systems that meet their needs and expectations.

4. 2. Principles of HCI – Understand The Task
2. Understand The Task: The second principle of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI),
"Understand the Task," emphasizes the importance of understanding the specific tasks
users need to accomplish when interacting with a system. This involves analyzing the
workflow, context of use, and potential challenges users may face.
Key Components of "Understand the Task"
1. Task Analysis:
 Break down complex tasks into smaller, more manageable subtasks.
 Identify the sequence of steps involved in completing a task.
 Determine the dependencies between different tasks.
 Analyze the cognitive load required for each task.
2. Context of Use:
 Consider the environment in which users will interact with the system.
 Factors to consider include physical surroundings, device type, time constraints, and user roles.
 Understand how the context of use may influence user behavior and preferences.
3. Workflow Analysis:
 Map out the flow of information and actions involved in completing a task.
 Identify potential bottlenecks or inefficiencies in the workflow.
 Analyze how the system can be designed to support the workflow more effectively.
4. Potential Challenges:
 Anticipate the challenges users may face when completing tasks.
 Consider factors such as cognitive load, physical limitations, and emotional states.
 Design the system to address potential challenges and prevent errors.

5. 3. Principles of HCI – Reduce Memory Load
3. Reduce Memory Load: The third principle of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), "Reduce
Memory Load," emphasizes the importance of designing systems that minimize the
cognitive burden on users. By reducing the amount of information users need to
remember, we can improve the usability and efficiency of our systems.
Key Components of “Reduce Memory Load"
1. Clear and Consistent Labeling:
 Use clear and concise labels for buttons, menus, and other interface elements. Avoid jargon or technical
terms that users may not understand. Ensure that labels are consistent throughout the system.
2. Visual Cues:
 Use visual cues, such as icons, color coding, or highlighting, to help users quickly identify and understand
information.Make sure that visual cues are consistent and meaningful.
3. Contextual Help:
 Provide helpful hints or tips when users need assistance. This can be done through tooltips, help menus, or
context-sensitive dialogs. Ensure that contextual help is relevant and easy to access..
4. Defaults:
 Set reasonable default values for input fields to reduce user effort. However, make sure that defaults are not
too restrictive and allow users to customize them if needed.
5. Progress Indicators:
 Use progress indicators to show users the status of long-running tasks.This helps to reduce anxiety and
keep users informed.
6. Chunking:
 Break down information into smaller, more manageable chunks.This makes it easier for users to remember
and process information.

6. 4. Principles of HCI – Strive for Consistency
4. Strive for Consistency: The fourth principle of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), "Strive
for Consistency," emphasizes the importance of maintaining a consistent design
throughout a system. Consistency helps users learn and understand the system more
easily, reducing confusion and frustration.
Key Components of “Strive for Consistency"
1. Design Guidelines:
 Establish a set of design guidelines that govern the look and feel of your interface. These guidelines should
cover elements such as typography, color schemes, layout, and interaction patterns. Ensure that all team
members adhere to these guidelines.
2. Terminology:
 Use consistent terminology throughout the system. Avoid using multiple terms for the same concept. This
helps users understand the system's language and navigate it more easily.
3. Feedback:
 Provide consistent feedback to users about their actions. This can include visual cues, auditory cues, or
textual messages. Consistent feedback helps users understand the system's state and make informed
decisions.
4. Interaction Patterns:
 Use consistent interaction patterns throughout the system. For example, always use the same button style
for primary actions, or always use the same keyboard shortcut for a specific function. This helps users learn
and remember how to interact with the system.
5. Visual Cues:
 Use consistent visual cues to indicate similar or related elements. For example, use the same color for all
buttons that perform similar actions. This helps users quickly identify and understand the relationship
between different elements..

7. 5. Principles of HCI – Remind Users and Refresh Their Memory
5. Remind Users and Refresh Their Memory: The fifth principle of Human-Computer
Interaction (HCI), "Remind Users and Refresh Their Memory," emphasizes the importance
of providing prompts, hints, and other cues to help users remember information and stay
on task. This can be especially helpful for complex or unfamiliar systems.
Key Components of “Remind Users and Refresh Their Memory"
1. Prompts:
 Use prompts to guide users through tasks and provide reminders. Prompts can be visual, auditory, or
textual. Ensure that prompts are relevant and helpful, without being intrusive..
2. Defaults:
 Set reasonable default values for input fields to reduce user effort. However, make sure that defaults are not
too restrictive and allow users to customize them if needed.
3. Tutorials & Walkthroughs:
 Provide tutorials or walkthroughs to introduce users to the system and explain its features.This can be
particularly helpful for new users or users who are unfamiliar with similar systems.
4. Contextual Help:
 Offer helpful hints or tips when users need assistance. This can be done through tooltips, help menus, or
context-sensitive dialogs.
5. Progress Indicators:
 Use progress indicators to show users the status of long-running tasks.This helps to reduce anxiety and
keep users informed.

8. 6. Principles of HCI – Prevent Errors/Reversal of Action
6. Prevent Errors/Reversal of Action: The sixth principle of Human-Computer Interaction
(HCI), "Prevent Errors/Reversal of Action," emphasizes the importance of designing systems
that minimize the likelihood of user errors and provide mechanisms for undoing mistakes.
This can help to reduce frustration and improve the overall user experience.
Key Components of “Prevent Errors/Reversal of Action"
1. Error Prevention:
 Design the interface to minimize the possibility of errors. Use clear and concise language. Provide visual
cues to guide users. Limit the number of options available to users..
2. Undo / Redo Functionality:
 Allow users to undo or redo actions if they make a mistake. This gives users a sense of control and reduces
frustration.
3. Confirmation Dialogs:
 Use confirmation dialogs to prevent unintended actions. However, avoid using too many confirmation
dialogs, as they can become annoying and slow down the user experience.
4. Error Messages:
 Provide informative and helpful error messages when errors occur. Avoid using generic or unhelpful error
messages. Offer suggestions for how to correct the error..
5. Validation:
 Validate user input to ensure that it is correct and complete. Provide real-time feedback to users if their
input is invalid.

9. 7. Principles of HCI – Naturalness
7. Naturalness: The seventh principle of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), "Naturalness,"
emphasizes the importance of designing systems that feel intuitive and familiar to users.
This involves creating interfaces that align with users' expectations and mental models.
Key Components of “Naturalness"
1. Affordances:
 Design elements that provide clear visual cues about how they can be interacted with. For example, buttons
should look like buttons, and sliders should look like sliders. This helps users understand how to use the
system without explicit instructions.
2. Mappings:
 Ensure that the mapping between user actions and system responses is intuitive. For example, a button
labeled "Save" should save the current document. This helps users understand the consequences of their
actions and avoid mistakes.
3. Metaphors:
 Use familiar metaphors to help users understand the system's functionality. For example, a file manager
might use the metaphor of a folder to represent a directory. Metaphors can make the system feel more
familiar and approachable.
4. Consistency:
 Maintain consistency in the design and behavior of the system. Use consistent terminology, visual cues, and
interaction patterns. This helps users learn and remember how to use the system.
5. Feedback:
 Provide clear and timely feedback to users about their actions. This helps users understand the system's
state and make informed decisions..