Interaction Design Practice Research Articles

Interaction Design in Distributed Software Development: What we know and what we don’t know

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is an area focused on human interaction with/through computational systems, among which tangent studies on interaction design stand out. In HCI, interaction design has been consolidated as a practice with the potential to support interactive systems projects. On the other hand, more and more organizations are developing software with geographically distributed teams. However, interaction design in distributed software development (DSD) has yet to be explored, mapped, or structured in the scientific literature. Although there are reports in the scientific literature about interaction design in DSD and some proposed solutions, how interaction design occurs in DSD is still being determined. In this paper, we present a summary of the results of a research that aimed to investigate how interaction design has been practiced in DSD, seeking to understand the practices, challenges, and limitations, as well as to promote and advance the state of knowledge in interaction design in the context of DSD. The research methodology was based on Charles S. Peirce's semiotic methodeutics, bibliographic research method, and mixed methods research to investigate the current state of knowledge and practice on interaction design in DSD. We hope that the results pointed out by this research contribute to the body of knowledge about interaction design at the research frontier between HCI and DSD by (i) providing an overview of research efforts on interaction design in DSD, (ii) providing an overview of the practice of interaction design in DSD, (iii) identify research gaps and discuss future research directions, and (iv) conceiving a set of recommendations for interaction design in DSD.

A home health management app designed in the post-epidemic era using empirical evidence based on the demand collection of elderly users

In the context of the epidemic, the daily routines of China’s elderly populace underwent substantial transformations. The implementation of home-based pandemic containment strategies led to heightened levels of social isolation and loneliness, exerting a discernible influence on the subjective well-being of this demographic. Consequently, residing in retirement apartments has emerged as a more advantageous alternative for elderly individuals capable of self-care. To meet their life and emotional needs and improve their sense of well-being, we used the KANO model to design a health management app for the self-care of older persons. We summarised the functional requirements for the self-care of elderly people, distributed questionnaires to generate a list of requirements, and conducted data analysis. We optimised the low-fidelity prototype based on the usability test results combined with relevant interface design elements to implement emotional interaction design practices for older persons’ self-care. Furthermore, we completed a design evaluation and program optimisation of the design practice to guide the final visual design. The research findings identify the core principles of interactive design for elderly users to enable visual design specifications for improving the lives of the elderly population. This research highlights the need to design more appropriate products that meet demographic characteristics. This work contributes to strengthening the connection between elderly people and society while bridging the ‘digital divide’ based on this population’s cautious approach to technologies and declining abilities to learn.

Three theoretical foundations for interaction design theory, practice and exploration

Purpose: This article reviews the theoretical foundations of interaction design to draw attention to three theoretical foundations of the field. It suggests that these three foundations endure even as the theory, practice and exploration of interaction design continue to evolve. Methodology: The article integrates and extends the foundational work of prior theorists to contribute novel responses to persistent questions about the nebulous nature of interaction design and its relationship with digital technologies as they continue to develop. It takes the form of a review, integrating the work of key theorists within the field, including Gui Bonsiepe, Kristina Höök, Jon Kolko, Jonas Löwgren and Erik Stolterman amongst others. Findings: An integrative review of the literature leads to a proposal for three foundations for interaction design, that it: (1) involves seeing the world as design for dialogues between users and complex artefacts; (2) pertains to particular kinds of design complexity and (3) is concerned with dialogues that extend across both the material and the virtual and involve control and representation technologies. Implications: The article discusses theoretical underpinnings of interaction design and makes a novel contribution to an ongoing discussion within the field about coherency. The work has particular significance for those involved in teaching interaction design. Originality: Three theoretical foundations for interaction design are suggested in this article. They are a synthesis of prior theoretical works leading to a novel perspective on the coherency between interaction design exploration, practice and theory.

A Study of Information Architecture and Interaction

In the current era of rapid development of information, the field of visual communication design carries the important mission of conveying information and optimizing user experience. This study aims to deeply analyze the core principles and strategies of information architecture and interaction design in visual communication design, as well as the relevance and importance of the two in enhancing design efficiency and user experience. Through the form of case studies, this paper specifies the strategies and methods for building effective information architecture in visual communication design projects, such as target user group analysis, information classification and organization, and navigation system design. The research focuses on the practical and theoretical foundations of interaction design, and explains the key role of interaction design in enhancing user experience and information interactivity. The paper meticulously explores the basic principles of interaction design, such as consistency, feedback, and control, and how these principles can be applied in visual communication design to build intuitive and efficient user interfaces. This paper proposes a multidimensional optimization strategy, including interdisciplinary teamwork, user research and testing, and iterative design, to promote the effective integration of information architecture and interaction design. To summarize, this study not only delves into the application and practice of information architecture and interaction design in visual communication design, but also provides a set of theoretical frameworks and practical design strategies for designers and researchers, with a view to advancing the field of visual communication design to a higher goal by improving the interactability of information and user experience.

Research on immersive interaction design based on visual and tactile feature analysis of visually impaired children

To propose improved and innovative visual-tactile interaction design for visually impaired children, multi-modal combination approaches have been applied, such as voice interaction, touch interaction, and multi-modal systems, what's more, aided cognitive approaches help them deepen their understanding of objects, improve their cognitive level, and increase their interest. Methods: To improve the amount of information in the visual-haptic interface by integrating multiple sensory information, based on the cognitive patterns of visually impaired children, a questionnaire was used to design a tactile-visual UI for the main content objects of visually impaired children when using the Internet, from which difficulties and problems in the design of visual-haptic for visually impaired children were found, and design improvements were proposed based on the principles and methods of accessible design. RESULTS: The personalized and humanized design activities enhance the confidence and improve the quality of life of the visually impaired children group and produce positive effects, improving the cognitive clarity of visually impaired children while increasing their level of understanding, imagination, learning interest and aesthetic experience. Conclusion: The physical and mental characteristics and visual and tactile characteristics of visually impaired children are analyzed, and the application of UI interaction design is based on these characteristics. The essence of interaction design is outlined through experiments, and it is found that with the development of the Internet, big data and artificial intelligence, visually impaired children have many difficulties in the use of the Internet, and through the improved practice of immersive interaction design, the humanized design approach is used to enhance visually impaired children's experience of using network interfaces. Through the improved practice of immersive interaction design, we improve the way of visually impaired children using the Internet, narrow the gap between them and normal children in the interaction, and give humanistic care.

Automation of interaction—interaction design at the crossroads of user experience (UX) and artificial intelligence (AI)

AbstractInteraction design/HCI seems to be at a crossroads. On the one hand, it is still about designing for engaging user experiences (UX). Still, on the other hand, it seems to be increasingly about reducing interaction and automating human–machine interaction through the use of AI and other new technologies. In this paper, we explore this seemingly unavoidable gap. First, we discuss the fundamental design rationality underpinning interaction and automation of interaction from the viewpoints of classic theoretical standpoints. We then illustrate how these two come together in interaction design practice. Here we examine four examples from already published research on automation of interaction, including how different levels of automation of interaction affect or enable new practices, including coffee making, self-tracking, automated driving, and conversations with AI-based chatbots. Through an interaction analysis of these four examples, we show (1) how interaction and automation are combined in the design, (2) how interaction is dependent on a certain level of automation, and vice versa, and (3) how each example illustrates a different balance between, and integration of interaction and automation. Based on this analysis, we propose a two-dimensional design space as a conceptual construct that takes these aspects into account to understand and analyze ways of combining interaction and automation in interaction design. We illustrate the use of the proposed two-dimensional design space, discuss its theoretical implications, and suggest it as a useful tool—when designing for engaging user experiences (UX), with interaction and automation as two design materials.

Usability and User Experience on Secondhand Fashion Digital Platforms: A Comparative Study

With the fashion industry's negative impact already widely acknowledged, we've seen new ways of consuming and investing in the circular economy system. After establishing the importance of new technologies in today's fashion consumption, the spotlight is now on the role of e-commerce in the advent of circularity. This article presents a comparative analysis on four second-hand fashion e-commerce websites available in Portugal, with the goal of understanding the importance of usability and user experience for e-business and identifying the best and worst interaction design practices. With implications for academia as well as the fashion and communication industries, this study demonstrates that the analyzed platforms do not have structural issues, becoming examples to be considered for their good performance – which may be the cause for increased interest in the circular economy – and exposing guidelines for future research.

A case study in designing trustworthy interactions: implications for socially assistive robotics

This work is a case study in applying recent, high-level ethical guidelines, specifically concerning transparency and anthropomorphisation, to Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) design practice for a real-world Socially Assistive Robot (SAR) application. We utilize an online study to investigate how the perception and efficacy of SARs might be influenced by this design practice, examining how robot utterances and display manipulations influence perceptions of the robot and the medical recommendations it gives. Our results suggest that applying transparency policies can improve the SAR's effectiveness without harming its perceived anthropomorphism. However, our objective measures suggest participant understanding of the robot's decision-making process remained low across conditions. Furthermore, verbal anthropomorphisation does not seem to affect the perception or efficacy of the robot.

Investigation on Equity and Otherness in the Interaction Design Process: A Systematic Mapping

This article presents a systematic literature mapping (SLM) process to determine which interaction design practices promote otherness and equity in their executions. The main contribution of this study is the description of the interaction design of each study selected in the SLM. One of the main goals of interaction design is to produce a user-friendly interaction that reduces the negative aspects of the user experience. Essentially, it consists of developing interactive products that are easy, efficient, and pleasant to use from a user perspective. In designing computer systems, it is necessary to include a broad spectrum of user profiles and understand their wishes and needs. Therefore, the comprehensive access to all subjects in the design of a computer system is necessary. The interaction design process must be equity and changeable to ensure that users’ particularities are included and most of them are represented in the system to be developed. The results highlight the importance of designers and performers in interaction design practices to determine if equity and otherness are included in the performance of interaction design practices. However, these specific terms are not generally utilized to highlight usage.

Rethinking (Dis)engagement in human-computer interaction

User engagement has become a much-cited construct in human-computer interaction (HCI) design and evaluation research and practice. Constructed as a positive and desirable outcome of users' interactions, more frequent and longer interactions are considered evidence of engagement. Disengagement, when discussed, is considered a best avoided outcome of technology use or a solution to problematic technology use. In the case of the former, disengagement may signal usability issues or user disinterest, while the latter emphasizes that some engaging interactions can result in negative consequences (e.g., addiction) for end-users. In this paper, we draw upon examples from HCI research and digital tools to present a more nuanced understanding of the symbiotic relationship between engagement and disengagement in order to propose a new definition and novel ways to model disengagement. Further, we challenge generalizations that dichotomize engagement (positive, continuous, accompanied by high interactivity and beneficial to end-users) and disengagement (negative, stopping use or detrimental use) and invite readers to interpret engagement in the context of desirability with respect to users' goals and perceived agency. We concluded with implications that invite the reader to make space for disengagement and move beyond usage data in the evaluation of engagement. This paper is a call to step away from the practice of engagement-for-engagement's sake, and to reflect on whether and when engagement is meaningful and desirable for end users.

Musical Control Gestures in Mobile Handheld Devices: Design Guidelines Informed by Daily User Experience

Mobile handheld devices, such as smartphones and tablets, have become some of the most prominent ubiquitous terminals within the information and communication technology landscape. Their transformative power within the digital music domain changed the music ecosystem from production to distribution and consumption. Of interest here is the ever-expanding number of mobile music applications. Despite their growing popularity, their design in terms of interaction perception and control is highly arbitrary. It remains poorly addressed in related literature and lacks a clear, systematized approach. In this context, our paper aims to provide the first steps towards defining guidelines for optimal sonic interaction design practices in mobile music applications. Our design approach is informed by user data in appropriating mobile handheld devices. We conducted an experiment to learn links between control gestures and musical parameters, such as pitch, duration, and amplitude. A twofold action—reflection protocol and tool-set for evaluating the aforementioned links—are also proposed. The results collected from the experiment show statistically significant trends in pitch and duration control gesture mappings. On the other hand, amplitude appears to elicit a more diverse mapping approach, showing no definitive trend in this experiment.

The music psychology that uses fuzzy models to promote mental health

Through the analysis of design psychology, this paper first sorts out the development context of design psychology, and then elaborates the definition of design psychology. Moreover, this paper combines the actual demands of music psychology to construct a model, applies the fuzzy model to this model, and systematically studies the basic concepts of design psychology. Simultaneously, this paper combines its concept with examples of interface interaction design of mobile Internet product to study and observe the application of design psychology in this field. In addition, this paper summarizes a set of scientific and reasonable specific methods for interface interaction design, and then uses this method to guide the practice of system model interaction design, constructs the model structure based on demand analysis, and optimizes the system structure. Finally, this paper designs experiments to verify the performance of the model. The research results show that the model constructed in this paper has certain practical effects.

Compositional interaction design—changes in design practice and its implications for teaching and research

ABSTRACTIn this article, we focus on compositional interaction design as an emergent professional practice in interaction design. We propose that compositional interaction design practice can be defined as a practice of knowing, mapping configuring, customizing and connecting elements to form larger compositional wholes. We demonstrate how this practice demands new compositional skills, new methods and a changed division of labours. We suggest that this contemporary practice can be understood in terms of how different computational components are integrated to form interactive products and services. We illustrate this new practice with two concrete examples. Our first example illustrates compositional interaction design at a small scale, whereas our second example illustrates compositional design at a larger scale. We also discuss how this emergent practice relates to other streams of development (e.g. craft-oriented HCI and human-centred design) and we discuss what implications this shift may have to interaction design educational programs aimed at preparing students for this emerging professional practice.

Socio-cultural factors and capacity building in Interaction Design: Results of a video diary study in Botswana

Abstract This paper presents the results of a video diary study that was conducted with ten novice interaction designers in Botswana, to investigate socio-cultural factors (SCFs) in interaction design. The overall aim of this research is to gain new insights into design behaviour in different cultures in order to inform international interaction design capacity building. To this end, this research investigates what SCFs are considered during the design process, which are accounted for in prototype designs and which interaction design concepts participants use to implement SCFs in their designs. The results reveal 13 categories of SCFs considered during the design process, 10 of which were implemented in prototypes. Participants used five main interaction design concepts to implement SCFs: simplicity, wearable devices, accessibility, universal design, and conversational interaction. In addition, they tended to rely on adaptations to existing products rather than creating new designs. Recommendations for capacity building include the need to identify concrete examples and alternative interaction design concepts that focus on a wider set of SCFs; and to draw upon the synergy between local product design practices and interaction design practices in order to learn how to transition SCFs into interactive products.

What is Interaction for Data Visualization?

Interaction is fundamental to data visualization, but what "interaction" means in the context of visualization is ambiguous and confusing. We argue that this confusion is due to a lack of consensual definition. To tackle this problem, we start by synthesizing an inclusive view of interaction in the visualization community - including insights from information visualization, visual analytics and scientific visualization, as well as the input of both senior and junior visualization researchers. Once this view takes shape, we look at how interaction is defined in the field of human-computer interaction (HCI). By extracting commonalities and differences between the views of interaction in visualization and in HCI, we synthesize a definition of interaction for visualization. Our definition is meant to be a thinking tool and inspire novel and bolder interaction design practices. We hope that by better understanding what interaction in visualization is and what it can be, we will enrich the quality of interaction in visualization systems and empower those who use them.

Interaction by ear

Abstract Speech-based interaction is now part of our everyday experiences, in the home and on the move. More subtle is the presence of designed non-speech sounds in human-machine interactions, and far less evident is their importance to create aural affordances and to support human actions. However, new application areas for interactive sound, beyond the domains of speech and music, have been emerging. These range from tele-operation and way-finding, to peripheral process monitoring and augmented environments. Beyond signalling location, presence, and states, future sounding artifacts are expected to be plastic and reconfigurable, and take into account the inherently egocentric nature of sonic interaction and representation. This contribution presents a subjective outlook on body-centered sound as a mediator of interactions in future mixed realities, populated by humans, artifacts and virtual representations. Scholars and practitioners are expected to address design issues, to develop evaluation methods, and to expand interaction design practices to be truly multisensory.

Perfil del profesional de la comunicación interactiva: fundamentos, actualidad y perspectivas

Over the last few years the role of the interactive communication professional has changed parallel to technological innovation and the introduction of new communication paradigms. Digital technology has facilitated the creation of the interaction designer, a professional position in many production teams and digital newsrooms that has yet to be fully defined. This paper presents an attempt to define the characteristics and necessary knowledge of the interaction communication expert. This is done by reviewing the skills needed for the practice of interaction design, looking at the career paths offered by graduate and undergraduate studies in interactive communication, and evaluating a case study in the field of interactive documentary. By comparing the results of the three analytical methods (literature review, comparative analysis, and case study) we present research that covers the differing perceptions that exist of this professional position. This analysis brings to the surface a lack of consensus in an emerging field that is still evolving and adapting since its appearance nearly twenty years ago.

Animistic design: how to reimagine digital interaction between the human and the nonhuman

ABSTRACTThis article puts forward the notion of animistic design as an uncertainty-driven strategy to reimagine human–machine interaction as a milieu of human and nonhuman. Animistic design is suggested as capable of fostering affects, sensibilities and thoughts that capitalize on the uncertain, the unpredictable and the nonlinear, and their capacity to trigger creative pathways. Informed by post-human philosophies, theories of mediation and materiality, as well as by affect, agency and aesthesia, animistic design eschews the anthropomorphic and the cute playfulness often associated with animism. Instead, it proposes a practical–theoretical framework to articulate the nexus of digital innovation, interaction design practices, technical materialities and affective responses already emerging in the digital cohabitation of the human and the nonhuman. Using a ‘research through making’ approach, the article describes in detail a series of animistic design experiments and prototyping methods that explore ways of rethinking interaction as an open-ended and creative enterprise. Animistic design offers an investigative strategy that exploits degrees of collaboratively curated uncertainty and unpredictability to imagine forms of digital interaction, and to engender creative human–nonhuman relationships within a given digital milieu.

Making Things Visible: Opportunities and Tensions in Visual Approaches for Design Research and Practice

Visual approaches for conducting research during the design process often give voice to people and ideas that might otherwise remain obscured. Recent and increasing interest in visual research techniques has coincided with technological advances such as camera phones and visually oriented mobile applications. As a result of this close association between digital technologies and image-based research techniques, there are multiple opportunities and challenges within human–computer interaction (HCI) design practice to employ these strategies to improve user experiences. This article provides an overview of current visual approaches to research highlighting the role technology has played in facilitating and inspiring these techniques. A series of case studies are presented that provide a basis for understanding a breadth of visual approaches in HCI design practices as well as serve as a point of entry to a critical and reflective discussion about the use of these approaches in different circumstances. Based on these reflections, three value statements are offered as a means to encourage the use of these visual approaches more broadly and critically in HCI design studies.

A Design Thinking Rationality Framework: Framing and Solving Design Problems in Early Concept Generation

The concept of “Design Thinking” opens up debate regarding the prevalent human–computer interaction design practice. This article focuses specifically on the cognitive processes of designers during their early design activities. Two groups of designers—experts and novices—were asked to develop a fictitious vacuum cleaner. We then examined the different ways in which these groups manage their design thinking processes and how the groups choose design concepts. The empirical study revealed that expert designers are effective at framing design problems. They make quick decisions (through the use of the affect heuristic) but are more wedded to their own previously developed design concepts, which they do not change in subsequent design stages. In contrast, novice designers are less skilled in framing new design problems but better able to renounce their initial design concepts. These diverse design thinking approaches are linked to potential problems. We then discuss how to address these concerns in conjunction with empathy for the artifact (i.e., artifact empathy via the mediated self) or user (i.e., user empathy via the simulated self), problem framing with second-order semantic connotations, and irrationality when analyzing design solutions. Finally, we propose a design thinking rationality framework that can establish a designer's view of design activities and thereby assist designers educated in both creative and rational design decisions.