Aims

In today's world, computers and technology have become integral to nearly every aspect of human life. We live in an era where technology is omnipresent and we are called to interact with it. Nowadays machines predict and anticipate human needs, robotic systems are an integral part of everyday life, and humans’ abilities are technologically supported. Information will be communicated from one interaction counterpart to another ‘naturally’, while the digital world will coexist with and augment physical reality, resulting in hybrid worlds.

Interactive products, such as smartphones, remote controls, coffee machines, ticket machines, smart TVs, and wearable devices, are a fundamental part of modern life. Beyond functionality, these products must also be intuitive, engaging, and enjoyable to use. Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is a multidisciplinary field that focuses on the design of computer technology and, particularly, on the interaction between humans (users) and computers. It draws from various disciplines, including graphic design, cognitive science, psychology, and education, making it essential to understand core concepts from non-computing fields as well.

The aim of the course is to familiarize the students with the foundational principles of HCI, Design, and User Experience (UX), providing them with the knowledge and tools to create user interactions that are intuitive, smooth, and enjoyable. Main topics include User Centered Design principles, methods and best practices, approaches to Conceptual Design, Visual design, Prototyping, User Testing, Data Analysis and Accessibility. Throughout the course, students will engage with material from research studies, previous coursework, and industry practices to ensure a well-rounded and up-to-date understanding of the field. Additionally, students will be introduced to a prototyping tool to help them put their knowledge into practice.

Learning Outcomes

On completing the course the participants will:

·       Distinguish between UX and UI in product design

·       Design products and experiences based on User Centered Design principles

·       Conduct User Research and derive user requirements in a systematic manner

·       Use appropriate tools to represent and communicate conceptual design ideas

·       Design static and interactive prototypes of interfaces

·       Analyze qualitative data using thematic analysis techniques.

·       Perform Usability Testing and evaluation

·       Design experiments based on specific measures and hypotheses to deliver meaningful results

·       Understand the relationship between UX and accessibility and integrate accessibility principles into design.

·       Report findings and insights from research and testing.

Content

• Introduction
• User Centered Design
• Conceptual Design
• Visual design principles
• Prototyping
• Testing with users
• Data Analysis
• Accessibility

Reading

The following reference books are recommended:

• Nathanael, D., Gkikas, K., & Marmaras, N. (2023). Human factors in interactive systems design [Postgraduate textbook]. Kallipos, Open Academic Editions. https://dx.doi.org/10.57713/kallipos-406
• Norman D. (1998) The Design of Everyday things (MIT Press)
• Ritter, F. E., Baxter, G. D., Churchill, E. F. (2014). Foundations for Designing User-Centered Systems: What System Designers Need to Know about People. UK: Springer London. 
• Sharp, H., Preece, J., Rogers, Y. (2019). Interaction Design: Beyond Human-Computer Interaction. UK Wiley.