Course Description

The digital age is no longer about deciding whether to use software, but about deciding which to use. Usability, often an implicit rather than explicit requirement, significantly influences this decision. Achieving high usability and a positive user experience requires a deep understanding of user goals, hidden needs, and cognitive abilities.

This is where the study of human-computer interaction (HCI) comes in. HCI is a field of computer science that focuses on creating human-centered technologies. However, it's important to understand that usability is not inherent in software, nor can it be developed separately as a software feature at some point in time. Usability is always contextual, and understanding that context is critical.

Improving usability also means changing the entire software development process. The goal is to create software that, despite its complexity and wealth of information, is usable by the intended audience. To achieve this goal, we can select and apply different principles and methods depending on the development phase and project situation.

In this course, we will explore these principles and methods. You will learn how to

• Apply human-centered design methods to your development practice: We'll cover techniques for understanding and incorporating user needs and preferences into the design process.
• Study people and collect data about their activities: You'll learn how to collect and interpret qualitative and quantitative data about user behavior and preferences.
• Synthesize data into conceptual models that help you derive requirements: We'll teach you how to translate your findings into actionable design goals and requirements.
• Conceptualize, design, and prototype graphical user interfaces based on requirements: You'll get hands-on experience creating user interfaces that meet these requirements.
• Evaluate your prototypes (low-fidelity and high-fidelity) in studies: Finally, you'll learn how to conduct user testing sessions and iterate on your designs based on user feedback.

By the end of this course, you'll have a solid foundation in HCI principles and methodologies. You'll be equipped with the skills necessary to design and develop usable interfaces that create a positive user experience. This course will help you become adept at creating software that not only meets functional requirements but also provides a satisfying user experience.

Here you can find our Code of Conduct.

Literature

Shneiderman, Ben, et al. Designing the user interface: strategies for effective human-computer interaction. Pearson, 2016.

Dix, Alan, et al. Human-computer interaction. Pearson Education, 2004.

Sharp, Helen, et al. Interaction design: beyond human-computer interaction. 2nd edition, Wiley, 2007.