HCI-FUN

HCI - Human Computer Interaction is about making computers and digital technology in general easier to use. HCI is about how scientists approach the design of computers to make sure that people can do what they want with them. This means that what you see on the screen is easy to use and easy to learn. It means that the steps you need to do a job on a computer are clear. It means that when you make a simple mistake the computer tells you clearly what the mistake was and it's easy to fix that mistake. Scientists have been working in the US and UK for the last 30 years on building up knowledge on Human Computer Interaction and User Interface Design, so that the Software Designers and Computer Engineers who develop computer applications make them fit for people to use.

This website takes some of that scientific knowledge about HCI and asks three new media artists to play around with it to produce some interactive art that is fun and engaging to use, but has a serious message about making using computers fun. We have Simon Poulter's Automated Knowledge Machine which is an ATM interface that dispenses knowledge rather than money. Caen Botto's COD3 gets us away from the mouse to using our voice to generate strange but beautiful patterns of light and sound. Josh Nimoy presents two pieces: Mixed Hello lets people use their shadow to interact with the computer, whilst icon==function puts the user in charge of what appears on the screen and how that affects the behaviour of the machine.

We hope you enjoy the pieces on the website and also come and visit the exhibition at FACT (30th March to 27th May 2006). Please use the blog to leave your comments.

What can you do next?

If you are a consumer of computers and electronics and you find a product that is hard to use - take it back and complain! If the retailer or manufacturer ignores you, contact a comsumer organisation or your government representative to press for better design.

If you are a young person contemplating a computer or business related course in higher education make sure they include topics on Human Computer Interaction or User Interface Design in their cirricullum.

If you are a designer or manufacturer of computers and applications make sure you and your staff understand the needs of users in your products. Follow up the links on this site or contact your local professional body for more information.

David England
d.england@ljmu.ac.uk