The Course That Changed How I See Technology

Introduction to Human Computer Interaction was the course I didn't know I needed. Coming from a programming background, I was focused on making things work. This course taught me to make things work well for people.

My First UX Disaster

Before taking HCI, I created a simple calculator app. It worked perfectly—for me. When I asked my roommate to use it, he spent five minutes trying to figure out how to perform basic operations. That's when I realized: if users can't use it, it doesn't matter how well it works.

Core HCI Principles I Learned

1. User-Centered Design

Everything starts with understanding your users. Who are they? What are their goals? What frustrates them? I learned to ask these questions before writing a single line of code.

2. Affordances and Signifiers

A button should look like a button. A link should look clickable. Users shouldn't have to guess how to interact with your interface.

3. Feedback and Response

Every user action should have a clear response. Click a button? Show that it was clicked. Submit a form? Confirm it was received. Silence is the enemy of good UX.

4. Error Prevention and Recovery

It's better to prevent errors than to handle them. But when errors do occur, help users recover gracefully.

Practical Application: Redesigning My Projects

Armed with HCI knowledge, I went back and redesigned every project I'd created. Here's what changed:

Real-World Impact: My Library System Redesign

Remember that library management system from my database course? I completely redesigned the interface using HCI principles:

Before (Programmer's Interface)

• Command-line interface with cryptic commands
• No visual feedback for actions
• Error messages like "ERR_001: Invalid input"

After (User-Centered Interface)

• Graphical interface with clear buttons and forms
• Visual confirmation for all actions
• Helpful messages like "Book successfully checked out to John Doe"

"Good design is invisible. When users can accomplish their goals without thinking about the interface, you've succeeded."

The Connection to Modern Development

These HCI principles became the foundation for all my future projects:

• Mobile apps: Touch-friendly interfaces and responsive design
• Web development: Accessible and inclusive design
• Database interfaces: Admin panels that non-technical users can navigate

Tools and Techniques I Started Using

User Research Methods

• User interviews: Understanding real needs and pain points
• Usability testing: Watching users interact with prototypes
• Personas: Creating representative user profiles

Design Tools

• Wireframing: Planning layout and functionality
• Prototyping: Testing ideas before coding
• Style guides: Maintaining consistency across projects

Advice for IT Students

1. Don't skip the "soft" courses: HCI might seem less technical, but it's incredibly valuable
2. Test with real users: Your assumptions about usability are probably wrong
3. Embrace constraints: Designing for accessibility makes interfaces better for everyone
4. Study existing interfaces: Analyze what works and what doesn't in apps you use daily

The Long-Term Impact

This course fundamentally changed how I approach every project. I now start with user needs, not technical possibilities. I design interfaces before databases. I test with users before launching.

Most importantly, I learned that technology serves people—not the other way around. Every line of code I write now has a human on the other side, and that human deserves an experience that's intuitive, accessible, and delightful.