User-Centered Design: Principles and Practices

This lecture introduces the concepts of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and User Experience (UX), emphasizing the importance of user-centered design processes. It outlines the course structure, focusing on theoretical and practical aspects of UX, including methodologies that bridge theory and practice. The instructor discusses the phases of a project, from gathering organizational needs and analyzing competition to understanding target users and their contexts. Key topics include cognitive load, user personas, information architecture, prototyping, and user testing. The lecture also highlights the historical evolution of ergonomics and its impact on modern design practices. It covers significant milestones in interface design, such as the introduction of graphical user interfaces and the importance of usability standards. The session concludes with a discussion on the economic benefits of investing in UX, illustrating how effective user experience design can lead to substantial returns on investment. Overall, this lecture provides a comprehensive overview of user-centered design principles and their application in creating effective interactive systems.