Description
Book SynopsisFoundations for Designing User-Centered Systems introduces the fundamental human capabilities and characteristics that influence how people use interactive technologies. Organized into four main areas-anthropometrics, behaviour, cognition and social factors-it covers basic research and considers the practical implications of that research on system design. Applying what you learn from this book will help you to design interactive systems that are more usable, more useful and more effective.
The authors have deliberately developed Foundations for Designing User-Centered Systems to appeal to system designers and developers, as well as to students who are taking courses in system design and HCI. The book reflects the authors'' backgrounds in computer science, cognitive science, psychology and human factors. The material in the book is based on their collective experience which adds up to almost 90 years of working in academia and both with, and within, industry
Trade Review
“This book is about understanding people in order to design better interactive devices. It is addressed to designers of modern technological systems. … Each chapter concludes with implications for system design, a summary, other resources, and many exercises that help readers to better understand the chapter. … It is very useful for anyone who designs interactive systems. It contains in-depth analysis together with the effects on designing good systems.” (Claudiu Popescu, Computing Reviews, August, 2014)
Table of ContentsEndorsements.- Foreword by Barry Boehm.-
Part I – Introduction: Aims, Motivations, and Introduction to Human-Centered Design.- Introducing the Foundations of User-Centered Systems Design.- User-Centered Systems Design: A Brief History.-
Part II - Design Relevant User Characteristics: The ABCS.- Anthropometrics: Important Aspects of Users' Bodies.- Behavioral: Basic Psychology of the User.- Cognitive: Memory, Attention, and Learning.- Cognitive: Mental Representations, Problem Solving, and Decision Making.- Cognitive: Human-Computer Communication.- Social: Social Cognition and Teamwork.- Social: Networks.- Summary of Users with Respect to Errors.-
Part III – Methods.- Method I: Task Analysis.- Method II: Cognitive Dimensions and the Gulfs.- Method III: Empirical Evaluation.-
Part IV – Summary.- Summary: Putting it All Together .- Appendix: The Kegworth Air Accident.- Glossary.- Index.
