Key Terms in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)

• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is the study of how people interact with computers
and digital systems.
• The following are some essential key terms in HCI.

• Accessibility: Accessibility ensures that all users, including those with disabilities, can
interact with a system effectively.
• Affordance: Affordance refers to the perceived function of an object or interface element,
based on its design and appearance.
• Cognitive Load: Cognitive load refers to the mental effort required to use a system. Good
UI design minimizes unnecessary cognitive load.
• Feedback: Feedback is the response a system gives to user actions, confirming that the
action has been recognized.
• Fitts’s Law: A principle stating that the larger and closer a target is, the easier it is to
interact with.
• Heuristic Evaluation: A usability testing method where experts evaluate a system based on
established usability principles (e.g., Nielsen’s 10 heuristics).
• Hick’s Law: The more options a user has, the longer it takes to make a decision.
• Interaction Design (IxD): Interaction Design focuses on how users engage with a system,
ensuring smooth, intuitive interactions.
• Learnability: Learnability measures how quickly a new user can understand and use a
system.
• Mental Model: A mental model is a user’s assumed understanding of how a system works
based on past experiences.
• Multimodal Interaction: A system that supports multiple input methods, such as touch,
voice, and gestures.
• Responsive Design: Designing interfaces that adapt to different screen sizes and devices.
• Usability: Usability measures how easy and efficient a system is to use, ensuring that users
can complete tasks quickly, accurately, and with satisfaction.
• User Experience (UX): User Experience (UX) is the overall feeling a user has when
interacting with a system, including ease of use, efficiency, and satisfaction.
• User Interface (UI): User Interface (UI) refers to the visual elements of a system, including
buttons, menus, and layouts.

• These key HCI concepts shape how digital systems are designed for efficiency, usability,
and accessibility.
• By applying them, designers create intuitive, user-friendly experiences that align with
users' expectations.

Page 1 of 3
Key Terms in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) with Examples
• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is the study of how people interact with computers
and digital systems.
• The following are some essential key terms in HCI, along with examples to illustrate
their application.

• Accessibility: Accessibility ensures that all users, including those with disabilities, can
interact with a system effectively. Example: Screen readers for visually impaired users in
web browsers. Keyboard shortcuts for users who cannot use a mouse.
• Affordance: Affordance refers to the perceived function of an object or interface element,
based on its design and appearance. Example: A button in a UI looks clickable because it
resembles a physical button with shading and borders. A door handle suggests pulling, while
a flat plate suggests pushing.
• Cognitive Load: Cognitive load refers to the mental effort required to use a system. Good
UI design minimizes unnecessary cognitive load. Example: Minimalist UI (like Apple’s
iOS) reduces distractions and makes navigation easy. Overcrowded dashboards (with too
many buttons and options) increase cognitive load.
• Feedback: Feedback is the response a system gives to user actions, confirming that the
action has been recognized. Example: A “ding” sound when a message is sent in
WhatsApp. A loading spinner appears while a webpage is processing a request.
• Fitts’s Law: A principle stating that the larger and closer a target is, the easier it is to
interact with. Example: Making call-to-action buttons large and easy to tap on mobile
screens. Placing frequently used icons (Home, Back) in reachable areas.
• Heuristic Evaluation: A usability testing method where experts evaluate a system based on
established usability principles (e.g., Nielsen’s 10 heuristics). Example: Checking if a form
provides clear error messages when a user enters incorrect data. Evaluating if a website
maintains consistency in navigation.
• Hick’s Law: The more options a user has, the longer it takes to make a decision. Example:
Reducing menu items on a website for faster navigation. Amazon’s "Recommended for
You" helps narrow choices.
• Interaction Design (IxD): Interaction Design focuses on how users engage with a system,
ensuring smooth, intuitive interactions. Example: Swiping gestures in Tinder for easy
interaction. Auto-saving in Google Docs to reduce friction in workflows.
• Learnability: Learnability measures how quickly a new user can understand and use a
system. Example: Drag-and-drop interfaces make file organization intuitive. Onboarding
tutorials in mobile apps improve learnability.
• Mental Model: A mental model is a user’s assumed understanding of how a system works
based on past experiences. Example: Users expect files to be stored in folders because of
their experience with physical filing cabinets. Users assume clicking a paperclip icon in an
email means attaching a file.

Page 2 of 3
• Multimodal Interaction: A system that supports multiple input methods, such as touch,
voice, and gestures. Example: Voice assistants (Alexa, Siri) allow users to interact using
speech. Touchscreens with stylus support provide alternative input methods.
• Responsive Design: Designing interfaces that adapt to different screen sizes and devices.
Example: Websites that adjust layout automatically for mobile, tablet, and desktop views.
• Usability: Usability measures how easy and efficient a system is to use, ensuring that users
can complete tasks quickly, accurately, and with satisfaction. Example: Google Search’s
simple interface allows users to search efficiently with minimal effort. Amazon’s one-click
checkout reduces friction in online shopping.
• User Experience (UX): User Experience (UX) is the overall feeling a user has when
interacting with a system, including ease of use, efficiency, and satisfaction. Example: A
fast-loading website with easy navigation creates a positive UX. A poorly designed app
that crashes frequently creates a negative UX.
• User Interface (UI): User Interface (UI) refers to the visual elements of a system, including
buttons, menus, and layouts. Example: Material Design by Google provides standardized
UI elements for consistency. Dark mode in apps improves visibility in low-light
environments.

• These key HCI concepts shape how digital systems are designed for efficiency, usability,
and accessibility.
• By applying them, designers create intuitive, user-friendly experiences that align with
users' expectations.

Page 3 of 3