The module 2 further describes HCI and goes into details about what are the factors that make a bad design. One of the biggest challenges designers face is they don’t analyze their audience properly but they make predictions. They are not typical users and they don’t put themselves in the shoes of the audience which if they do will solve many design problems.
The designer should schedule the phases of design and go step by step so that he/she isn’t missing any aspect of the good design. The module talks about eight tasks that should be done during the HCI life cycle out of which the important ones are listed below.
1.Know the end-user and their goals.
2.Know the stakeholders and their goals.
3.Discuss the system design with actual customers.
4.Analyze the initial requirements and design what exactly the user wants/needs rather than what the designer think will be good.
5.Decide general design approach. The approach may depend on hardware and software to be used, and past conventions, as well as suitability to task in hand. Questions have to address: WIMP (windows, icons, menus, and pointers) interface or command line? What input/output devices, hardware, software tools? Interface guidelines? In addition, the system must be designed for the lowest common denominator in the field, human, software and/or hardware.
The module also talks about memory in HCI design and its importance. The author of the model goes into details about how the design should be implemented with regards to short term memory, long term memory and memory limitations.
