Interaction

A Design – Theory view [1]

• nInteraction is a way of framing the relationship between people and objects designed for them—and thus a way of framing the activity of design.
• nAll man-made objects offer the possibility for interaction, and all design activities can be viewed as design for interaction. The same is true not only of objects but also of spaces, messages, and systems.
• nInteraction is a key aspect of function, and function is a key aspect of design.
• nInformation flows from a system (perhaps a computer or a car) through a person and back through the system again.
• nThe person has a goal; she acts to achieve it in an environment (provides input to the system); she measures the effect of her action on the environment (interprets output from the system—feedback) and then compares result with goal. The comparison (yielding difference or congruence) directs her next action, beginning the cycle again.
• nThis is a simple self-correcting system—more technically, a first-order cybernetic system.  

  

Interaction: Execution – evaluation cycle

• nThe purpose of Interaction is to aid a user in accomplishing goals from some application domain.
• nNorman’s model [2]:
1. Establishing the goal
2. Forming the intention
3. Specifying the action sequence
4. Executing the action.
5. Perceiving the system state
6. Interpreting the system state
7. Evaluating the system state with respect to the goals and intentions.   

Ergonomics

• nThe study of the physical characteristics of the interaction [3]
• Arrangement of controls and displays
• The physical environment of the interaction
• Health issues
•   The use of colours   

References

1. 8.Dubberly, H., Haque, U. & Pangaro. P, (2009)What is interaction? Are there different types? DDO
2. 9.D.A.Norman. The psychology of Everyday Things. Basic Books, New York, 1988.
3. 10.Dix, A., Finlay, J., Abowd, G.D. & Beale, R. (2004) Human-Computer Interaction 3rd Ed., Pearson