Introduction to Interaction Design

What are interactive computer systems?

• Computers are embedded in most aspects of modern industrial/developed society

• Many of these have explicit or implicit interactions with humans

• Think of all of the computers with which you interacted recently

My List• Laptop computer• PDA• Internet Banking• Cell phone• Car (ignition, fuel, dash, radio, &c)• Alarm clock• Parking lot gate• Shop checkout• Parking lot automat

What are some examples of user interaction with these systems?

• User input to system– Mouse clicks– Graffiti (Palm OS)– Physical buttons, knobs, pedals

• System output to user– Text messages– Graphics– Sounds

How do these interfaces fall short?

• EXERCISE: In the same groups, choose one common example and evaluate the interface

• Some specific examples:– Messages unclear– Button function unknown– Meaning of sounds unknown

• In general:– Mental model doesn’t match system model– Unclear interface functionality– Lack of training and/or help

My rented Audi A4 from Sixt showed me a picture of a tire with a ‘!’ in it when I started the car, and it stays there.

-What does this mean?

Why should we care about user interfaces?

• If the user interface fails, the system has failed

• Example:– JMU’s Webmail system

Would you like to copy/paste addresses?

Sorry.Would you like groups within groups?

Sorry.

A more serious example

• USS Vincennes & Iranian Airbus (July 3, 1988)

• 290 civilian casualties

Principles of Interaction Design

• We used to talk about User Interface Design• But this focuses on the interface, when what

concerns us is the entire interaction

• So we’ll talk about Interaction Design (ID)

• And remember: the user is part of the system!

Interface

Interaction

SYSTEM!

The Software Engineering Lifecycle“waterfall” model

Requirements Analysis

Design

Implementation

Testing

Maintenance

Where does Interaction Design fit into the lifecycle?

• System Requirements– Task Analysis and Needs Assessment– Most of the rest of the Interaction Design process

• System Design (or late Requirements phase)– Design of interface details (widgets &c)

• System Test– Qualitative and quantitative performance testing

Interaction Design and the Software Lifecycle

Requirements Analysis

Design

Implementation

Testing

Maintenance

Discussion of Experience

• Have you developed and delivered a software and/or hardware system?

• Did this system have any human interaction?

• Was the interaction engineered? How?– Requirements?– Design?– Testing?

Goals

• Describe what Interaction Design (ID) is• Explain difference between good and poor ID

• Explain what usability is

• Describe the process of ID

• Outline forms of ID guidance

• Learn to evaluate an interactive product

Interaction Design and Pornography

• “You know it when you see it.”

• Each of you should find an example of a user interface and bring it to each class– What’s good about it?– What’s bad about it?

• If you get picked to present yours, then find another.

Project Kickoff