Book Image

Learn Human-Computer Interaction

By : Christopher Reid Becker
Book Image

Learn Human-Computer Interaction

By: Christopher Reid Becker

Overview of this book

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is a field of study that researches, designs, and develops software solutions that solve human problems. This book will help you understand various aspects of the software development phase, from planning and data gathering through to the design and development of software solutions. The book guides you through implementing methodologies that will help you build robust software. You will perform data gathering, evaluate user data, and execute data analysis and interpretation techniques. You’ll also understand why human-centered methodologies are successful in software development, and learn how to build effective software solutions through practical research processes. The book will even show you how to translate your human understanding into software solutions through validation methods and rapid prototyping leading to usability testing. Later, you will understand how to use effective storytelling to convey the key aspects of your software to users. Throughout the book, you will learn the key concepts with the help of historical figures, best practices, and references to common challenges faced in the software industry. By the end of this book, you will be well-versed with HCI strategies and methodologies to design effective user interfaces.
Table of Contents (17 chapters)
1
Section 1 - Learn Human-Computer Interaction
5
Section 2 - How to Build Human-Centered Software
11
Section 3 - When to Improve Software Systems

Summary

Throughout this chapter, we discussed how our lives have been fundamentally reorganized around the computer and how this book, Learn Human-Computer Interaction, provides a way to approach, address, and capitalize on this change. We looked into a brief history of computing and how HCI will change you into a π person. We also looked into the relevant opportunities present in the job market.

HCI is a lot to wrap your head around, and this chapter allowed us to get excited about the potential of leaning into our knowledge and putting it to practice in our own lives and jobs. We covered an introduction to HCI, which included why we care about this profession along with some HCI topics that came from our quick history of computing. All this information is hopefully growing your π person qualities as you develop your HCI interests and direction towards an HCI profession.

In the next chapter, we will focus on the explosion of software made possible through the introduction...