By the end of this class, successful students have: acquired a good knowledge about the user-centered design process,acquired a broad theoretical understanding of the methods used in Human Centered Computing, andextended their vocabulary with the relevant domain-specific vocabulary.

lectures • discussions • in-class hands-on exercises • group work – based on literature studies, each group prepares a written description of one user-centered design method and present their work in class

This class is split in two parts. The first part provides an introduction to human centered computing (HCC) and human centered design (HCD) with a focus on the ultimate goal thereof: to build digital artifacts that are easy, efficient and pleasurable to work – or interact – with. In the second part we will focus on the user-centered design process and discuss and get familiar with several methods and techniques  (e.g., A/B Test, Heuristic Evaluation, Controlled Experiments, Personas, Storyboards, Diary Studies, and Usability Tests) used to achieve the ultimate goal of HCC/HCD.

Most introductory books on human-computer interaction, interactive systems, usability, interface design, etc. include the basics we will cover early on in the class, as well as some of the methods we will explore later on. Below is a list (in random order) of some suitable books. The list could easily be extended. The university library has a good collection, including many of the listed books. Nielsen, J.: Usability Engineering. Morgan Kaufmann. Leventhal, L. & Barnes, J.: Usability Engineering: Process, Products, and Examples. Pearson/PrenticeHall. Shneiderman, B. & Plaisant, C.: Designing the User Interface: Strategies for Effective Human-Computer Interaction. Pearson. Dix A., Finlay, J., Abowd, G.D. & Beale, R.: Human Computer Interaction. Prentice Hall. Rogers, Y., Sharp, H. & Preece, J.: Interaction Design: Beyond Human-Computer Interaction. John Wiley & Sons. Raskin, J.: The Humane Interface: New Directions for Designing Interactive Systems. Addison-Wesley Longman. Preece, J.: Human-Computer Interaction: Concepts and Design. Addison-Wesley Longman. Heim, S.: The Resonant Interface: HCI Foundations for Interaction Design. Addison-Wesley.

Digital written closed-book exam using the Secure Exam Environment (SEE) (digital exam using a computer in the lecture hall). Information about digital exams at the University of Klagenfurt is available here: Center for University Learning and Teaching.1st SEE examination date: 27.06.25.2nd SEE examination date expected at the beginning/mid-October 2025Group work• Method Presentation: each group will present their work in a ≈15-minute presentation.• Method Description: each group will submit a written description of one method.

Topics covered in the class.

The Use of AI-based ToolsFor didactic reasons, the following rules apply to the written description of the assigned user-centred design method (the group work):The use of AI-based applications is only permitted for spell and syntax checking. That is, AI writing assistants (for example Grammarly and DeepL) are allowed (and should be used).If there is any suspicion of questionable and unpermitted use of AI tools (beyond spelling and syntax checking), there will be an oral "debriefing" (for the whole group together or for each group member individually) to check the 'authorship' of the written work.The final grade is based on the in-class participation, exam, and group work. The scores on these work items depend on their overall quality, completeness, and correctness.Grade 1 – Excellent: 89 – 100 percent pointsThe work item is complete and of superior quality. The work item is very well written, has a professional touch, and is profound. The student is very reflective and insightful. The work item may contain very few clarity, structure, or presentation problems.Grade 2 – Good: 76 – 88 percent pointsThe work item is complete and of high quality. The work item is well written and in-depth. The student is reflective and insightful. The work item may contain few clarity, structure, or presentation problems.Grade 3 – Satisfactory: 63 – 75 percent pointsThe work item is complete and of good quality, but several points could be better articulated, be more insightful, or more thorough. The work item may contain some clarity, structure, or presentation problems.Grade 4 – Sufficient: 50 – 62 percent pointsThe work item is mostly complete and of satisfactory quality, but most points could be better articulated, be more insightful, or more thorough. The work item contains clarity, structure, or presentation problems.Grade 5 – Failed: 0 – 49 percent pointsThe work item is incomplete or of lower quality. The points are not well articulated or thorough enough. The work item contains significant clarity, structure, or presentation problems.