The Final Chapter: Reflections on the HCI Journey

Reflecting on my journey through Human-Computer Interaction, I am surprised by how much my perspective has evolved. It is not only in terms of design, but also in how I understand the complex relationship between users and technology. When I began the course, CSC 842: Human-Computer Interaction, I had a basic understanding of usability and user experience. I thought that good design was primarily about visual appeal. However, what I soon learned was much deeper: effective product design starts with a thorough understanding of user needs, behaviors, and the context in which a product will be used.

The Beginning

In the initial weeks of the course, I felt uncertain and unsure of what to expect. I was not sure whether the class would focus on hands-on activities, lectures, or a balance of both. I had imagined that we would jump right into designing an application from scratch, relying on creativity and collaboration with group members. But as the course progressed, I realized that the design process involved far more than I had anticipated. There were important concepts to consider at every step. Some terms, such as "heuristic evaluation," were unfamiliar to me at first. I later learned that it is used to assess whether a product’s user interface has any usability problems. If issues are found, changes can be made, and the results should be reevaluated to determine whether the usability problems have been resolved. Design is not a free-for-all attempt to create a product. Rather, it involves careful evaluations at different stages to ensure that the product truly meets user needs. This began to make sense as I explored these ideas through practical projects. 

Lessons Learned

One of the best experiences in the course was conducting live user testing in front of real users. Before this, I had never tested my designs with actual people. I simply built what I thought would work. Seeing users interact with our tutorial application prototype in real time was interesting. They struggled with features I assumed were intuitive. For example, many users had trouble locating buttons on the page because they were not colored distinctly and blended into the background. They ignored elements I thought were important, such as the "About Us" tab we placed in the top-right corner, which no one clicked on. They also gave feedback for elements that I had not considered, such as suggesting that our group should include a progress bar to show how far they were in the tutorial. This experience taught me the importance of designing based on user needs rather than assumptions and showed me the real value of feedback-driven design. 

Our group also faced a number of challenges throughout the project. We spent long hours working on each stage of the prototype, especially the transition from low to medium fidelity. That phase was particularly difficult because it required us to learn new tools and skills. One of the most important was using Figma to translate our hand-drawn sketches into an interactive digital prototype. Although it was difficult at first, gaining experience with Figma and seeing our design come to life made the effort worthwhile.

Looking Forward

My experience with human-computer interactions has fundamentally changed how I think about creating products. Before this course, I focused mostly on how something looks or how creative it seems. Now, I understand that effective design starts with a deep understanding of user needs. Whether I am working on an application or a physical product, I should prioritize usability over trends and simplicity over complexity. These principles have reshaped how I make design decisions. Instead of focusing only on what I think works, I now consider how others will experience it. That shift has made me more thoughtful, and it is something I will do in every future project. 

I have also learned that good design is not just about having a great idea but about asking the right questions and being willing to change direction based on feedback. Moving forward, I feel more prepared to create products that are not just functional but meaningful. I want to design with clarity and purpose. I do not have all the answers for creating a product from end to end, but this course has given me a solid foundation and the confidence to keep learning.

Advice to Future Students

To anyone preparing to take this course, my advice is to simply come with an open mind. Human-computer interaction is not just about designing interfaces. It is about problem-solving and communication. The best approach is to ask questions and constantly test your ideas. Do not be discouraged if your first design does not succeed. Each mistake is an opportunity to learn and grow.

Collaboration is also a key point. The discussions I had with my group members were among the most valuable parts of the course. Each person brought a unique perspective, and learning from one another not only improved my designs but also enhanced my overall thinking as a designer.