Human-Centred
Interaction:
Patterns and
Techniques
The field of Human-Centred Interaction (HCI) focuses on designing
user interfaces and experiences that are intuitive, effective, and
enjoyable for people. HCI is rooted in the understanding that
technology should serve human needs and enhance their lives. This
involves understanding user needs, behaviours, and capabilities, then
crafting interfaces that align with these factors. The goal is to create
seamless interactions, minimize cognitive load, and promote user
satisfaction. In this exploration, we will delve into the patterns and
techniques that contribute to a human-centred approach to
interaction design.
AR
by Akshaya R
Principles of Human-Centred
Design
1 User-Centricity 2 Empathy
Every design decision revolves Designers must understand the
around the needs and goals of user's context, motivations,
the user. Designers conduct and frustrations. This involves
user research, gather actively listening, observing
feedback, and iterate on user behaviour, and
designs to ensure they meet considering diverse
user expectations. perspectives.
3 Iterative Design 4 Accessibility
Design is a continuous process Designs should be inclusive
of prototyping, testing, and and usable for all users,
refining. Feedback is crucial for regardless of their abilities.
identifying and addressing This involves considering
usability issues, leading to factors like vision, hearing,
continuous improvements. mobility, and cognitive
differences.
Interaction Patterns for Intuitive Experiences
Navigation Patterns Information Architecture Visual Design
Navigation patterns guide users The way information is organized Visual cues like colours,
through the interface. This includes and presented influences user typography, and layout play a
menus, breadcrumbs, search bars, comprehension and navigation. significant role in guiding user
and consistent placement of Clear labeling, consistent structure, attention and creating a pleasant
elements to help users find and information hierarchy are experience. Visual design should
information easily. crucial. be consistent and reinforce the
information architecture.
Direct Manipulation Techniques
Drag and Drop
Users directly manipulate objects by dragging and dropping
them within the interface. This is commonly used for moving
files, arranging items, or interacting with visual elements.
Click and Select
Selecting elements directly by clicking on them and
performing actions like deleting, editing, or copying. This is
intuitive and familiar to most users.
Gestures and Touch Interactions
Multi-touch gestures, like pinch-to-zoom or swiping, allow for
natural and fluid interactions on touchscreens. These gestures
are intuitive and often feel more natural than traditional
mouse interactions.
Conversational Interfaces
Natural Language Processing Interactive Dialogue
Conversational interfaces rely on Natural Language Users engage in a dialogue with the interface, providing
Processing (NLP) to understand and respond to user input and receiving responses, simulating a natural
input in a natural language, allowing for more human- conversation with a person.
like interactions.
1 2 3 4
Contextual Awareness Task Completion
These interfaces are designed to remember previous Conversational interfaces can assist users in completing
interactions and provide contextually relevant tasks by guiding them through steps, providing
responses, making conversations feel more personal and information, and making recommendations.
efficient.
Techniques for Improving
Usability
Technique Description
User Testing Observing users interacting
with the interface to identify
usability issues.
Heuristic Evaluation Applying established usability
principles to identify potential
problems.
A/B Testing Comparing different versions of
a design to determine which
performs better.
Eye Tracking Tracking user eye movements
to understand how they
navigate and interact with the
interface.
Designing for Accessibility and Inclusivity
Color Contrast Keyboard Navigation
Ensuring sufficient contrast between text and background Making all interface elements accessible via keyboard for
colors for users with visual impairments. users who cannot use a mouse.
Alternative Text Language and Localization
Providing text descriptions for images and multimedia Adapting interfaces to different languages and cultural
content for users with visual impairments or who use contexts to ensure they are accessible to a wider audience.
screen readers.
Evaluating and Iterating on Interaction Design
User Feedback Data Analysis Iterative Refinement
Gathering user feedback through Analyzing user interaction data, Continuously improving the design
surveys, interviews, and usability such as clickstreams and heatmaps, based on user feedback, data
testing to understand their to understand user behavior and analysis, and insights gained
experiences and identify areas for identify patterns. through evaluation.
improvement.
Applying Human-Centred
Principles in Practice
The principles of Human-Centred Interaction are not just
theoretical concepts; they are applied in the real world to create
engaging and effective user experiences. From designing websites
and mobile applications to developing software and interactive
devices, these principles guide every stage of the design process.
By embracing a human-centred approach, designers can create
technologies that empower users, enhance their lives, and make
the world a better place.
