How to get a job in human-computer interaction (HCI)

Summary

In this episode of 'Design Discipline,' Mahmoud Aidan Baitash delves into the world of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), exploring its essence as a scientific field and its manifestation in everyday life. He discusses the challenges of entering the HCI profession and emphasizes the necessity of a strong foundation in computer science, coupled with expertise in social sciences or humanities. Baitash also highlights the interdisciplinary nature of HCI, its evolution through 'waves' of intellectual movements, and the importance of academic research in the field.

Takeaways

• 📚 Saint Thomas Aquinas believed that everything has an essence and existence, with God being the only entity where these are identical.
• 💻 Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is a prevalent phenomenon in modern life, involving any interaction with digital technology, not just traditional computers.
• 🔍 HCI as a scientific discipline is distinct from the broader phenomenon of using computers and focuses on analyzing and designing interactions.
• 👨‍🏫 Mahmoud Aidan Baitash, a scholar of design and technology, emphasizes the importance of HCI in defining modern human life and culture.
• 🚀 There is significant interest in HCI as a profession, with many seeking jobs in this field, yet it remains a relatively small and challenging industry to enter.
• 🧠 A common challenge for those entering HCI is the lack of a clear mental model of the field, which can lead to misunderstandings about its scope and practices.
• 🏢 The actual profession of HCI is quite niche, primarily existing within academic and scientific research, rather than in business roles.
• 🎓 To succeed in HCI, one needs a strong foundation in computer science, as well as competence in social sciences or humanities, including design disciplines.
• 🔬 HCI researchers are expected to engage in academic practices such as reading and writing research papers, attending conferences, and potentially teaching.
• 🌐 HCI's interdisciplinary nature, combining computer science with social sciences and humanities, allows for a broad and inclusive approach to understanding technology.
• 🛠 While HCI has its roots in computer science, it has evolved to include methodologies from various fields, making it a diverse and complex discipline.

Q & A

What is the core argument of Saint Thomas Aquinas regarding essence and existence?

Saint Thomas Aquinas argues that everything has an essence, which is its ideal at its core, and an existence, which is its manifestation in the real world. According to Aquinas, the only entity in the universe whose essence and existence are identical is God.

What is Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)?

Human-Computer Interaction, or HCI, refers to the study, planning, and design of the interaction between people and computers. It is both a phenomenon, as we interact with computers in many aspects of our daily lives, and a scientific and professional field where people analyze and design these interactions.

Why is HCI considered a relevant field in today's digital age?

HCI is relevant because most of our activities today involve interaction with computers and digital devices. It is a defining feature of modern human life and culture, making it essential in the context of design, innovation, and computer science.

What is the difference between HCI as a phenomenon and HCI as a scientific discipline?

HCI as a phenomenon refers to the everyday interactions people have with computers and digital technology. HCI as a scientific discipline is a professional field where researchers analyze, study, and design these interactions to improve usability, accessibility, and overall user experience.

Why is it challenging for newcomers to understand HCI as a scientific field?

It is challenging because many people do not have a clear mental model of HCI as a scientific field. They may understand the phenomenon of using computers but do not grasp the boundaries and landscape of HCI in terms of its existential facts and academic rigor.

What are some common misconceptions about the profession of HCI?

A common misconception is that there are many job positions with 'HCI' in the title in the business world, like 'HCI designer' or 'HCI manager'. In reality, such positions are rare and typically only exist at large tech companies with significant research budgets.

What are the typical responsibilities of a professional HCI researcher?

A professional HCI researcher is more of an analyst, critic, teacher, philosopher, and sometimes a project manager than a designer or developer. Their job involves reading and writing research papers, engaging with the academic world, and possibly teaching courses, rather than hands-on design or development.

What is the relationship between HCI and computer science?

HCI is a part of computer science that builds on social sciences and humanities. It is defined by the conferences and journals produced by organizations like ACM and IEEE, which are rooted in computer science and engineering.

What are the three waves of intellectual movements that define the history and evolution of HCI?

The first wave is the combination of psychology and computer science. The second wave brings in other social sciences with developments in computer technologies and the internet. The third wave involves the integration of humanities, such as literature, philosophy, arts, and design, as technology becomes ingrained in daily life.

Why is it important for someone interested in HCI to have a foundation in both computer science and social sciences or humanities?

HCI researchers need to understand and apply knowledge from both computer science and social sciences or humanities to effectively study and design human-computer interactions. This interdisciplinary approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of user behavior, technology, and design.

How does the inclusive nature of HCI affect both innovation and the challenges faced by newcomers?

The inclusive nature of HCI allows for unconventional ideas and fosters innovation. However, it also makes it difficult for outsiders and beginners to understand the field and for the community to establish standards and recognize high-quality work.