Human Computer Interaction

Muhammad Imran
Assistant Professor (CS&SE)

Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering,

Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences,
International Islamic University, Islamabad.
 Guideline

• Objective of Course:
To Learn the Concept of HCI and understand
the theories, principles and techniques. And
learn making the User Interaction effective and
easy for a SUCCESSFUL Software.
• Text Book and Reference Material:
-Human Computer Interaction by Allan Dix.
-Web Portals for reference
• Grading Policy and other Rules:
As per University Policy.
Muhammad Imran (Fall 2020)
 What is HCI?

• In past there was concept of Man

Machine Interaction (MMI).
To Improve the machines to provide a
better interaction with users
• Human Computer Interaction (HCI) is a
multidisciplinary field of study, focusing on
improvement in the Interaction between a
Computer and Human.
• Focusses on HUMAN, COMPUTER and
Better Interaction.
Muhammad Imran Saeed
 Why HCI?

• To provide effective user interaction with

Computer (System) in an easy and
uninterrupted / error free (user friendly)
manner.
• Whether direct (Dialogue Based) or indirect
(Batch Processing) manner.
• To a single user or a group of users etc.

“NOW-A-DAYS A COMMON MAN IS USER”

Muhammad Imran Saeed

 Who/What is involved
in HCI?

 HCI is a multi-disciplinary subject.

 Involves psychology and cognitive science
to get knowledge of the user’s perceptual,
cognitive and problem- solving skills;

 Cognition: The mental action or process of

acquiring knowledge and understanding
through thought, experience, and the senses.

Muhammad Imran Saeed,IIUI

 Who/What is involved
in HCI?

Ergonomics for the user’s physical

capabilities;
 Sociology to understand the wider
context of the interaction;
Computer science and engineering to
be able to build the necessary technology;
 Business to be able to market it;

Muhammad Imran Saeed,IIUI

 Who/What is involved
in HCI?

 Graphic design to produce an effective

interface presentation;
 Technical writing to produce the
manuals,
……………and list goes on.

“Concentrate on all factors to build an

effective and acceptable Solution”
Muhammad Imran Saeed,IIUI
 Issues of Concern

 There are three major issues of concern:

- The people
- The computers
- Tasks that are performed.
 The system must support the user’s task, which
gives us a fourth focus usability:
 If the system forces the user to adopt an
unacceptable mode of work then it is not usable
(FLOP SOFTWARE)

Muhammad Imran Saeed,IIUI

 Basic Features of a
Software

 Functionality
 GUI (EASE)

What makes a software “acceptable”?

“A Functional Software with better GUI
that provides ease to the users”

Muhammad Imran Saeed,IIUI

 3 “USE” Words

 There are following three ‘use’ words

that must all be true for a product to be
successful;
 Useful: accomplish what is required: play
music, book a ride, format a document;
 Usable: do it easily and naturally, without
danger of error, etc.;
 Used: make people want to use it, be
attractive, engaging, fun, etc.

Muhammad Imran Saeed,IIUI

 Home Work

 Study the design focus “QUICK FIXES”

on Page 7 of text book.

Muhammad Imran Saeed,IIUI