What is Human Computer Interaction – HCI

What is HCI?

“Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is the study and the practice of usability. It is about understanding and creating software and other technology that people will want to use, and will find effective when used. The concept of usability, and the methods and tools to encourage it, achieve it, and measure it are now touchstones in the culture of computing” – Carroll (2002)

HCI is how we interact with computer hardware and software. Not just computer though, but all machines – such as your car, dishwasher, airplane etc. The point of HCI is to make these technologies more ‘user friendly’ so that they are easier for us to interact with both physically and mentally. The key to HCI being usability – so expect more blog posts on usability.