Overview

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is a rapidly expanding area of research and development that has transformed the way we use computers in the last thirty years. This course introduces fundamental principles for designing and analyzing interactive systems. Topics include user-centered design, an overview of human cognitive and physical abilities, prototyping, and information visualization. In addition, the course reviews emerging areas of HCI research including mobile interaction, augmented-reality, multi-touch interaction, tangible user interfaces, and ubiquitous computing. The course final project requires students to work in teams to design, program, and test a novel interface using HTML5 and JavaScript. No prior programming experience is required.

Prerequisites: none
Course Website: http://users.eecs.northwestern.edu/~mhorn/eecs330

Schedule & Readings

Supplementary readings will be available through Blackboard; however, you may wish to purchase some of the texts listed in the syllabus if you are interested.

Date Topic Assignment
Jan 4 Introduction / History of HCI P0 out
Jan 6 Workshop: Brainstorming & Team Formation
Jan 11 Designing Interaction
  • HCI 5, 7
  • Norman (2002), chapter 1
HW1 out
Jan 13 Workshop: Sketching & Storyboarding
  • Buxton (2007), chapters TBD
P0 in
Jan 18 Understanding Interaction
P1 out
Jan 20 Workshop: HTML5 & Web Apps Introduction HW1 in
Jan 25 Guest Lecture TBD
Jan 27 Understanding People
  • HCI 1
  • Norman (2002), chapter 2
  • Kelley & Littman (2001), chapter 3
HW2 out
P1 in
Feb 1 Designing for People
  • HCI 10
  • Norman (2002), chapter 4
  • Kelley & Littman (2001), chapter 3
Feb 3 Workshop: HTML5 Forms & JavaScript HW2 in
HW3 out
Feb 8 Design & Emotion
  • Norman (2004), Prologue, 1, 2
Feb 10 Workshop: Paper Prototyping
  • Snyder (2001). Paper Prototyping
HW3 in
P2 out
Feb 15 Prototyping
  • HCI 6.4
  • Kelley & Littman (2001), chapter 6
  • Houde & Hill (1997). What do prototypes prototype?
Feb 17 Workshop: HTML5 Canvas & Javascript HW 3 in
HW 4 out
Feb 22 Graphical Design, Color Theory & Typography
  • HCI 1.2.1
  • Tufte, TBD
Feb 24 Workshop: Web APIs & JavaScript P2 in
P3 out
Mar 1 Information Visualization
  • HCI 20.4
  • Tufte, TBD
HW4 in
Mar 3 Workshop: HTML5 Video and Geolocation HW4 in
Mar 8 Emerging Interaction
  • Being Human, TBD
Mar 10 Final Presentations P4 in

Assignments

Team Project Assignments (50%) Due Weight
P0: Team project proposal 1/13 0%
P1: User, Task, & Domain Analysis 1/27 10%
P2: Design Sketches & Storyboards 2/10 10%
P3: Paper Prototyping 2/24 10%
P4: Implementation & Final Presentation 3/10 20%
Individual Assignments (50%) Due Weight
HW1: Interface Critique 1/20 10%
HW2: HTML5 Intro 2/3 5%
HW3: HTML5 Forms 2/17 5%
HW4: HTML5 Canvas & Web API 3/3 5%
Final Exam and Class Participation (25%) Weight
Final Exam 15%
Class Participation 10%

Course Policies

About the Team Project

The heart of this course is a quarter-long project in which you will work in teams to design and prototype a novel user interface. User interface design is an iterative process, so you will build your user interface not once, but three times, as successively higher-fidelity prototypes. You are free to choose the topic of your project, but it must have some relevance to the Northwestern community. Each team will consist of 3 to 4 people. Students who are not registered for course credit may not participate in the group projects.

Attendance and Readings

You are expected to complete the assigned readings prior to lecuture. Attendance at all lectures is expected. Unexcused absences will directly affect your class participation grades. Make up exams can be arranged if absence is announced to the instructor via email five (5) days prior to the exam date.

Late Policy

Assignments are due at the beginning of the designated class period. Assignments turned in up to 24 hours late will be penalized 10%. Similarly, assignments turned in between 24 and 48 hours late will be penalized 20%. Assignments turned in more the 48 hours late will not be accepted under most circumstances.

If you are having trouble with homework, communicate with us! You have both a TA and a professor with which you can discuss any problems you are having. However, do not leave it until the last minute. If you come to us with problems well before the assignment due date, we will be much more likely to provide help.

Collaboration Policy

You are expected to complete individual assignments individually. It is acceptable to get help online, from TAs, and from fellow students. However, it is not acceptable to copy solutions directly from any source. In general:

  • you should write your solutions entirely on your own
  • you should not share written materials or code with anyone else
  • you should not view any written materials or code created by anyone else for the assignment

Academic Integrity at Northwestern

Students are expected to comply with University regulations regarding academic integrity. If you are in doubt about what constitutes academic dishonesty, speak to the instructor before the assignment is due and/or examine the University web site. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to cheating on an exam (e.g., copying others' answers, providing information to others, using a crib sheet) or plagiarism of a paper (e.g., taking material from readings without citation, copying another student's paper). Failure to maintain academic integrity on an assignment will result in a loss of credit for that assignment at a minimum. Other penalties may also apply. The guidelines for determining academic dishonesty and procedures followed in a suspected incident of academic dishonesty are detailed on the website.

Students with Disabilities

In compliance with Northwestern University policy and equal access laws, the instructor is available to discuss appropriate academic accommodations that you may require as a student with a disability. Request for academic accommodations need to be made during the first week of the quarter, except for unusual circumstances, so arrangements can be made. Students are encouraged to register with Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) for disability verification and for determination of reasonable academic accommodations. For more information, visit: http://www.northwestern.edu/disability/.