One word that describes computer science and HCI is multidisciplinary. Just as humans have many traits, these two disciplines have many attributes. Words indigenous to both are programming languages, web development, software development, networking, algorithms, graphics, data processing, information technology, and more.
HCI adds the element of human involvement into the equation as it considers the user experience or UX. Not synonymous with UX is UI or user interface, which concentrates on what the user sees and how he/she interacts with the product. For example, the buttons, icons, the navigation system, and the layout. UX homes in on how the human (user) uses the device to accomplish a particular task or function. UX technicians want to make the customer journey productive and enjoyable.
The above paragraph segues into a position known as UX design.
UX Design
The UX designer uses a tool bag containing graphic design, layout, languages, testing, and cognition. The designer’s goal is to create an efficient, easy-to-use, pleasant, and engaging product. The designer arrives at the consumer’s finished product through market research, product development, testing processes, and beta models.
Design or the product’s look is one component; user experience or interaction is another necessary attachment. Why design an eye-catching product if the user struggles to master all of its functions and capabilities? Cognitive science and psychology enter the picture to teach the UX designer how to meet the average user’s motivations, goals, and behavior. Cognitive science seeks to understand how the mind works, such as behavior, thinking, and intelligence.
Many industries employ UX designers. A job posting on the employment site, Indeed, in cyber security, seeks a designer to work with product managers and engineers to create successful security products for clients. Online retailers, like Amazon, have positions for UX designers to perform task analysis, use storyboards, and strategize to improve the customer experience.
Interaction Design
Under the umbrella of UX is interaction design that places the user and the product under the microscope. These designers determine how well the two mesh – does the product or device allow the users to achieve their objectives in a gratifying manner?
A consulting company, frog (lower case), has 16 studios worldwide, including Delhi, London, Madrid, Paris, Shangai, Toulouse, New York, and Munich (employees call themselves frogs). Some of the extensive clients’ list includes healthcare, consumer products, retail, automotive, media, and technology. Frog employs interaction designers to use navigation models, user flows, and design architecture in collaboration with Visual Designers.
Research
This area covers a gambit of professions. Research is integral to the above positions as they allow for the user’s interaction. One aspect is interviews with a target group to obtain their feedback. Usability studies are another form of research that directly engages potential buyers to test the products. The opinions and comments from these sessions provide the participants’ evaluation. What did they like and dislike? What changes should be made to improve the user experience?
Without the product in hand, the research may conduct interviews posing hypothetical questions. The answers offer qualitative and quantitative information for the researcher to take to the designers and developers. Some companies do their own research, and others may hire a consulting firm for the task.
Researchers in this occupation work in a range of industries that might have physical stores and online ordering. Examples are companies in the grocery business, home improvement, furniture, electronics, and many others.
Interactive Developer
Other names for the position are UI/UX Developer, Developer, and React UI Developer, front-end engineer, whose responsibilities combine audio, graphics, video, programming, and other hard skills. Many jobs require applying JavaScript frameworks, usability testing, React, SEO, Adobe Suite, Sketch, and database systems. The necessary skills vary according to the company. As an example of a specialty – Senior Email Developer, as posted by Epsilon, a digital and marketing consulting and business services corporation.
A title mentioned above is a front-end developer that involves the implementation of web design. The individual uses HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to render the codes into a website. Web design considers the aesthetics and the user experience – this is where HCI comes into play. Beauty must accompany function, or the user might soon abandon the site in pursuit of another. More complex applications involve the development of UI Components using ReactJs with the Redux framework. Analytical and technical skills are necessary for this profession.
In summary, there is a large family of positions related to HCI – as there are in these programs’ curricula. Samples of courses include psychology, mathematics, web design, software development, networking, UX, UI, interaction design, artificial intelligence products, and many more.
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