🖥️Human-Computer Interaction Unit 4 – Interaction Design: Process & Methods

What's This Unit All About?

• Interaction design focuses on creating engaging interfaces enabling users to interact with products in an efficient and satisfying way
• Involves understanding users' needs, designing interactive solutions, prototyping interfaces, and evaluating their usability
• Draws from various disciplines including human-computer interaction, user experience design, and cognitive psychology
• Aims to create intuitive, learnable, and enjoyable user experiences across various digital products (websites, mobile apps, software)
• Considers the entire user journey, from initial engagement to task completion and long-term usage
  • Analyzes user flows, information architecture, and navigation patterns
  • Designs for different interaction modalities (touch, voice, gesture)
• Iterative process involving user research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and refinement based on user feedback
• Balances user needs, business goals, and technical feasibility to create successful interactive products

Key Concepts in Interaction Design

• Affordances refer to an object's properties that suggest how it can be interacted with or used
  • Visible affordances provide clear visual cues (buttons, links, sliders)
  • Hidden affordances are less obvious but can be discovered through exploration (gestures, hotkeys)
• Signifiers are perceptible indicators that communicate what actions are possible and how to perform them
  • Can be explicit labels, icons, or instructions guiding users
  • Should be noticeable, unambiguous, and consistent across the interface
• Feedback acknowledges user actions and communicates the results or status of their interactions
  • Visual feedback includes changes in appearance, animations, or progress indicators
  • Auditory feedback uses sound effects or voice prompts to confirm actions or alert users
  • Haptic feedback engages the sense of touch through vibrations or resistance
• Constraints limit the possible actions users can take to prevent errors and guide them towards intended interactions
  • Physical constraints make certain actions impossible due to the interface's design or layout
  • Logical constraints rely on users' understanding of relationships and conventions
  • Cultural constraints leverage learned behaviors and expectations shaped by social norms
• Mental models represent users' understanding and expectations of how a system works based on prior experiences
  • Designers aim to create interfaces that align with users' existing mental models for intuitive interactions
  • Mismatched mental models lead to confusion, errors, and frustration
• Learnability refers to how easily users can understand and start using an interface effectively
  • Influenced by familiarity, consistency, clear guidance, and progressive disclosure of complexity
• Accessibility ensures that interfaces can be used by people with diverse abilities and disabilities
  • Involves designing for different visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive needs
  • Adheres to accessibility guidelines and standards (WCAG, Section 508)

The Interaction Design Process

• Understand the problem space and define project goals, target users, and success metrics
• Conduct user research to gather insights about users' needs, behaviors, and contexts
  • Methods include interviews, surveys, observation, and data analysis
  • Create user personas and scenarios to guide design decisions
• Generate design ideas through sketching, brainstorming, and ideation techniques
  • Explore multiple concepts and variations before selecting the most promising ones
  • Create user flows and wireframes to map out the interaction architecture
• Create prototypes to simulate and test the proposed interactions and interfaces
  • Low-fidelity prototypes (sketches, paper prototypes) are quick and cheap for early feedback
  • High-fidelity prototypes (interactive mockups, coded prototypes) provide more realistic experiences
• Conduct usability testing with representative users to evaluate the design's effectiveness and identify improvements
  • Observe users interacting with the prototype and gather qualitative and quantitative feedback
  • Analyze results and prioritize design changes based on severity and impact
• Iterate and refine the design based on testing insights and stakeholder feedback
  • Make necessary adjustments to interaction flows, layouts, and interface elements
  • Repeat prototyping and testing cycles until the design meets usability and user experience goals
• Implement the final design in collaboration with development teams
  • Provide detailed specifications, assets, and guidelines to ensure accurate implementation
  • Conduct quality assurance testing to verify the implemented product matches the intended design
• Monitor and analyze user behavior and feedback post-launch to identify areas for continuous improvement
  • Gather analytics data, user reviews, and support inquiries to inform future design iterations
  • Plan for updates and enhancements based on evolving user needs and technology advancements

User Research Methods

• Interviews involve one-on-one conversations with users to gather in-depth insights about their needs, behaviors, and experiences
  • Can be structured with predefined questions or semi-structured to allow for exploration
  • Provide rich qualitative data but can be time-consuming and subject to interviewer bias
• Surveys are questionnaires distributed to a larger sample of users to collect self-reported data
  • Can gather both quantitative and qualitative feedback on specific topics
  • Useful for measuring user attitudes, preferences, and satisfaction at scale
  • Require careful question design and sampling to ensure valid and reliable results
• Observation involves watching users interact with a product or perform tasks in their natural context
  • Can be done in-person through field studies or remotely using screen recording and video conferencing
  • Reveals actual user behavior and uncovers pain points and opportunities for improvement
  • Requires minimal interference from the researcher to capture authentic interactions
• Contextual inquiry combines observation and interviewing techniques to understand users' workflows and environments
  • Involves shadowing users as they perform tasks and asking questions to clarify their actions and thought processes
  • Provides deep insights into users' goals, challenges, and strategies within their real-world context
• Diary studies ask users to self-report their experiences and activities over an extended period
  • Participants document their interactions, thoughts, and feelings through written entries, photos, or videos
  • Captures longitudinal data and reveals patterns and changes in user behavior over time
  • Requires clear instructions and motivation for participants to maintain consistent and detailed entries
• Card sorting is a technique used to understand users' mental models and inform information architecture
  • Participants organize topics or content into categories that make sense to them
  • Can be done with physical cards or using online tools with virtual cards
  • Helps identify logical groupings, labeling preferences, and navigation structures
• Usability testing involves observing users as they attempt to complete specific tasks with a product or prototype
  • Assesses the effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction of the user experience
  • Can be conducted in-person in a usability lab or remotely using online tools
  • Provides direct feedback on usability issues and areas for improvement

Prototyping Techniques

• Sketching is a quick and informal way to visualize and communicate design ideas
  • Uses pen and paper to create rough drawings of interface layouts, interactions, and flows
  • Allows for rapid exploration and iteration of concepts without investing too much time or resources
• Paper prototyping involves creating low-fidelity mockups using paper cutouts, sticky notes, and other physical materials
  • Simulates the basic structure and interactions of an interface for early user testing and feedback
  • Encourages collaborative design and facilitates quick modifications based on user input
• Wireframing is the process of creating simplified visual representations of an interface's layout and structure
  • Focuses on the placement and hierarchy of elements without detailed visual design
  • Can be created using digital tools like Balsamiq, Sketch, or Figma for more polished and shareable artifacts
• Clickable prototypes are interactive digital mockups that simulate the functionality and flow of an interface
  • Created using prototyping tools like InVision, Adobe XD, or Figma
  • Allows users to click through screens, interact with elements, and experience the overall navigation and behavior
  • Provides a more realistic and engaging representation of the design for user testing and stakeholder feedback
• High-fidelity prototypes are detailed and visually refined representations of the final product
  • Incorporate realistic visual design, content, and interactions to closely resemble the intended user experience
  • Created using design and prototyping tools or by coding with web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
  • Used for more advanced usability testing, user research, and developer handoff
• Motion prototypes demonstrate the animation, transitions, and micro-interactions within an interface
  • Created using specialized tools like Principle, Framer, or After Effects
  • Communicate the timing, easing, and choreography of interface elements to enhance the user experience
  • Help stakeholders and developers understand the intended motion design and behavior
• Physical prototypes are tangible representations of a product's form, size, and materials
  • Created using 3D printing, foam modeling, or other fabrication techniques
  • Useful for testing ergonomics, haptics, and physical interactions of hardware products
  • Provide a tactile and spatial understanding of the design that digital prototypes cannot convey

Usability Testing and Evaluation

• Usability testing assesses how well users can interact with a product to achieve their goals effectively, efficiently, and satisfactorily
  • Involves recruiting representative users to perform realistic tasks using the product or prototype
  • Observes and measures user behavior, performance, and subjective feedback to identify usability issues and improvements
• Test planning involves defining the goals, scope, and logistics of the usability test
  • Identifies the research questions, target users, test scenarios, and success metrics
  • Determines the testing method (in-person, remote), location, equipment, and moderator roles
  • Develops the test script, data collection instruments, and participant recruitment criteria
• Pilot testing is a practice run of the usability test with a small number of participants
  • Helps refine the test protocol, identify potential issues, and ensure smooth execution of the actual test
  • Allows moderators to practice their facilitation skills and troubleshoot any technical or logistical problems
• Moderated testing involves a facilitator guiding participants through the test sessions and observing their behavior
  • Provides the opportunity to ask follow-up questions, clarify tasks, and probe for deeper insights
  • Requires skilled moderation to maintain objectivity, avoid leading questions, and manage time effectively
• Unmoderated testing allows participants to complete the test sessions independently without a facilitator present
  • Uses online tools or platforms to deliver the test instructions, tasks, and data collection instruments
  • Enables larger sample sizes and more diverse participants but lacks the ability to probe or clarify in real-time
• Remote testing conducts usability tests with participants in their own environment using screen sharing and video conferencing tools
  • Allows for testing with geographically dispersed users and reduces travel and facility costs
  • Requires reliable technology setup and clear communication to ensure smooth and effective sessions
• In-person testing brings participants to a designated testing location, such as a usability lab or office
  • Provides a controlled environment with specialized equipment for observation and data collection
  • Allows for more direct interaction and nonverbal cues but may be more costly and time-consuming to organize
• Quantitative data in usability testing includes metrics like task success rates, time on task, error rates, and satisfaction ratings
  • Provides objective and measurable indicators of usability performance
  • Allows for statistical analysis and comparison across different designs or user groups
• Qualitative data in usability testing includes observations, participant comments, and subjective feedback
  • Provides rich insights into user behaviors, preferences, and experiences
  • Helps uncover the underlying reasons behind usability issues and informs design improvements
• Reporting and recommendations communicate the key findings and actionable insights from the usability test
  • Summarizes the test objectives, methods, and participant demographics
  • Presents the quantitative and qualitative results with illustrative examples and quotes
  • Prioritizes the usability issues based on severity and impact on user experience
  • Provides specific design recommendations and next steps for addressing the identified issues

Ethical Considerations in Interaction Design

• Accessibility ensures that products and services are usable by people with diverse abilities and disabilities
  • Involves designing for different visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive needs
  • Adheres to accessibility guidelines and standards (WCAG, Section 508) to remove barriers and promote inclusive experiences
• Privacy protects users' personal information and data from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure
  • Involves implementing secure data collection, storage, and transmission practices
  • Provides clear privacy policies and user controls over data sharing and usage
  • Complies with relevant privacy regulations and standards (GDPR, CCPA)
• Informed consent ensures that users understand and agree to the terms, risks, and implications of using a product or service
  • Provides clear and concise information about data collection, usage, and sharing practices
  • Obtains explicit user consent for any data processing or tracking activities
  • Allows users to revoke consent and opt-out of data collection at any time
• Transparency communicates openly and honestly about a product's features, limitations, and potential consequences
  • Avoids deceptive or misleading design practices that manipulate user behavior or understanding
  • Discloses any conflicts of interest, sponsored content, or algorithmic biases
  • Provides clear terms of service and privacy policies that are easily accessible and understandable
• Fairness and non-discrimination ensure that products and services treat all users equally and do not perpetuate biases or discrimination
  • Involves designing for diverse user populations and considering the potential impact on different groups
  • Tests for and mitigates any algorithmic biases or disparate outcomes based on user demographics or characteristics
  • Promotes inclusive and equitable experiences that respect user diversity and prevent harm or marginalization
• Social responsibility considers the broader societal impact and ethical implications of design decisions
  • Involves designing for user well-being, safety, and positive social outcomes
  • Considers the potential unintended consequences and long-term effects of products on individuals and communities
  • Engages in responsible innovation and addresses ethical challenges proactively and transparently
• Professional ethics guide the conduct and decision-making of designers in their practice
  • Involves adhering to codes of ethics and professional standards set by industry organizations (UXPA, IxDA)
  • Maintains integrity, objectivity, and confidentiality in client and user relationships
  • Seeks informed consent and protects participant privacy and well-being in user research and testing activities
• Ethical design education prepares future designers to navigate the ethical challenges and responsibilities of their work
  • Involves integrating ethics and values into design curricula and training programs
  • Encourages critical thinking, moral reasoning, and ethical decision-making skills
  • Fosters a culture of ethical awareness and accountability within the design community

Putting It All Together: Case Studies

• Case studies provide real-world examples of how interaction design principles and methods are applied in practice
  • Illustrate the challenges, constraints, and trade-offs involved in designing for specific user needs and contexts
  • Demonstrate the impact and value of user-centered design in achieving business and user goals
• E-commerce website redesign case study
  • Problem: High cart abandonment rates and low conversion rates on an e-commerce website
  • User research: Conducted interviews, surveys, and usability testing to identify pain points and user needs
  • Design solutions: Streamlined the checkout process, improved product information and reviews, and optimized the mobile experience
  • Results: Increased conversion rates by 25%, reduced cart abandonment by 30%, and improved user satisfaction scores
• Mobile banking app case study
  • Problem: Low adoption and usage of a mobile banking app due to usability and security concerns
  • User research: Conducted contextual inquiry and usability testing to understand user behaviors and expectations
  • Design solutions: Redesigned the app architecture and navigation, introduced biometric authentication, and provided clear error handling and feedback
  • Results: Increased app usage by 40%, reduced support calls by 20%, and improved user trust and loyalty
• Healthcare patient portal case study
  • Problem: Low patient engagement and satisfaction with a healthcare provider's online portal
  • User research: Conducted interviews, surveys, and usability testing with patients and caregivers
  • Design solutions: Redesigned the portal interface for clarity and ease of use, introduced personalized health recommendations, and provided accessible educational content
  • Results: Increased portal adoption by 50%, improved patient-provider communication, and enhanced patient self-management and outcomes
• Smart home thermostat case study
  • Problem: Complex and inconsistent user interfaces across different smart thermostat brands and models
  • User research: Conducted usability testing and comparative analysis of existing smart thermostat interfaces
  • Design solutions: Developed a unified and intuitive interface design system for smart thermostats, incorporating best practices for information hierarchy, controls, and feedback
  • Results: Improved user satisfaction and task completion rates, reduced learning curve and errors, and increased energy savings and comfort
• Accessibility redesign case study
  • Problem: A university website that was not fully accessible to students with disabilities
  • User research: Conducted accessibility audits, user testing with assistive technologies, and interviews