Stanford University Human-Computer Interaction Seminars

Thursday, 11th February 2010 in Design, UX by Simon | No comments

Human-Computer Interaction Seminar (Seminar on People, Computers, and Design) is a Stanford University course that features weekly speakers on topics related to human-computer interaction design. The seminar is organized by the Stanford HCI Group, which works across disciplines to understand the intersection between humans and computers.

Details of the current seminar series can be found on Stanford HCI website, whilst the 2009 seminar series can be found on iTunes U. The topics of which are listed below:

Winter 2009

  1. Pario: The Next Step Beyond Audio and Video
  2. Sculpting Behaviour: Developing a Tangible Lnguage for Hands-on Play and Learning
  3. Tap is the New Click
  4. Social Annotation, Contextual Collaboration and Online Transparency
  5. Enlightened Trial and Error – Gaining design Insight Through Prototyping Tools
  6. Computer Graphics as a Telecommunication Medium
  7. Not Invented Here: Online Mapping Revealed

Spring 2009

  1. Firefox, Mozilla & Open Source: Software Design at Scale
  2. Social Enterprise Software Design
  3. The Interaction Design of APIs
  4. Far Away Up Close
  5. What Still Matters About Distance?
  6. How We Use Data to Win the Presidential Election
  7. Social Immersive Media
  8. Launching Creative Communities: Lessons From the Spore Community
  9. Designing Online Communities from Theory

Autumn/Fall 2009

  1. Crowdsourcing Work
  2. Backtracking Events as Indicators of Software Usability Problems
  3. Programming by Sketching
  4. Aesthetic Science of Colour: WAVEs of Colour, Culture, Music and Emotion

Previous talks are also available on iTunes U — with the notable speakers Bill Moggridge, Bill Buxton and Donald Norman featuring — or on YouTube: 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09

Three Dimensions of Emotional Design

Tuesday, 10th November 2009 in UX by Simon | 1 comment

Emotional Design is both the title of a book by Donald Norman and of the concept it represents. The main issue discussed is that emotions have a crucial role in the human ability to understand the world, and how they learn new things. For example, aesthetically pleasing objects appear to the user to be more effective, by virtue of their sensual appeal. This is due to the affinity the user feels for an object that appeals to them, due to the formation of an emotional connection [with the object].

Norman’s approach is based on classical ABC model of attitudes. However, Norman changed the concept to be suitable for application in design. The three dimensions have new names (visceral, behavioural and reflective level) and partially new content. In the book, Norman shows that design of most objects are perceived on all three levels (dimensions). Therefore a good design should address all three levels.

  • The Visceral level is obtained through intuition rather than from reasoning or observation. This level is influenced significantly by appearance, texture and sound of objects.
  • The Behavioural level refers to the actions or reactions of a person, usually in relation to the environment, to an object or person. Behaviour can be conscious or unconscious, overt or covert and voluntary or involuntary. This level is about functionality and is influenced by pleasure and effectiveness of use (accessibility and usability).
  • The Reflective level refers to the capability of quiet thought or contemplation. This level is influenced strongly by self-image, satisfaction, memory and the meaning of things. This level becomes more important as products mature.

Donald Norman - Emotional Design Venn Diagram

Norman postulates that these three dimensions are interwoven through any successful design and that it is not possible to have design without all three.

The three dimensions interweave both emotions and cognition. Emotion is a necessary part of life, affecting how you feel, how you behave and you think. Without emotions, Norman suggests any decision making would be impaired. Emotion passes judgement and gives continual feedback allowing you to make valuable decisions and is therefore key in any approach to successful design.