HCI Explained

HCI Explained

Curious about how humans interact with technology? HCI Explained breaks down complex Human-Computer Interaction topics into clear, engaging stories. From agency and automation to design ethics and UX psychology, we explore how tech shapes what it means to be human. Whether you're a student, designer, or tech enthusiast, join us weekly to learn how interaction design influences our everyday lives. Support the show on Buy Me a Coffee to help keep new episodes coming: https://buymeacoffee.com/hciexplained. 💙🚀

  1. When Good UX Causes Harm #HCIExplained S2.E4

    22 JAN

    When Good UX Causes Harm #HCIExplained S2.E4

    Good UX is meant to help users — but what happens when it doesn’t? Many design patterns celebrated as “good UX” are optimised for engagement, speed, and convenience. Over time, these same choices can lead to overuse, manipulation, and loss of autonomy. In this episode of HCI Explained, we examine how good UX can still cause harm, even when intentions are positive. We discuss: Why usability and ethics are not the same How engagement-driven design can undermine well-being Persuasive patterns that look helpful but create dependency Why harm often emerges gradually rather than instantly The limits of metrics like engagement and retention Designer's responsibility beyond making things easy 💡 A design can be usable, elegant, and successful — and still be harmful. 👉 Tune in for a critical discussion on ethics, responsibility, and long-term impact in UX design. #HCIExplained #UXEthics #DarkPatterns #PersuasiveDesign #HCI #UXDesign #ResponsibleDesign

    25 min
  2. Human Control vs Automation: Where Do We Draw the Line? #HCIExplained S2.E3

    19 JAN

    Human Control vs Automation: Where Do We Draw the Line? #HCIExplained S2.E3

    Automation promises speed, efficiency, and scale — but it also raises a difficult question: how much control should humans give up? As AI systems increasingly make decisions, take actions, and optimise outcomes on our behalf, issues of agency, responsibility, and trust move to the centre of Human–Computer Interaction. In this episode of HCI Explained, we examine the tension between human control and automation, and why this trade-off is rarely simple. We discuss: Why automation is so appealing — and where it breaks down Automation bias and over-reliance on intelligent systems Loss of agency, skill fade, and invisible decision-making Concepts like human-in-the-loop and shared control How design choices shift responsibility when systems fail 💡 The real question is not whether to automate, but how control is shared between humans and machines. 👉 Tune in for a grounded discussion on designing automated systems that keep humans meaningfully involved. #HCIExplained #Automation #HumanControl #HCI #UXDesign #ResponsibleAI #InteractionDesign

    35 min
  3. Designing for Trust in an Age of AI #HCIExplained

    7 JAN

    Designing for Trust in an Age of AI #HCIExplained

    Why do we trust some technologies and hesitate with others? As AI systems become more autonomous, adaptive, and opaque, trust has become one of the most complex challenges in Human–Computer Interaction. In this episode of HCI Explained, we unpack what trust really means in AI-driven systems and why traditional UX approaches often fall short. We explore: What trust means in HCI, beyond usability and satisfaction How AI systems challenge trust through opacity, automation, and unpredictability Automation bias and over-reliance on intelligent systems Why “more explanation” does not always lead to more trust Design factors that shape trust: transparency, predictability, control, and accountability The idea of appropriate trust rather than maximum trust 💡 Trust is not something you add at the interface level. It emerges over time from how systems behave, fail, and take responsibility. 👉 Tune in for a grounded discussion on how designers and researchers can think more carefully about trust in an age of AI. #HCIExplained #TrustInAI #HCI #UXDesign #ResponsibleAI #InteractionDesign

    39 min
  4. What’s in Store for 2026: Possibilities, Signals, and Futures

    3 JAN

    What’s in Store for 2026: Possibilities, Signals, and Futures

    As we look beyond 2025, the question isn’t what will definitely happen, it’s what might become possible. In this episode of HCI Explained, we explore what could be in store for technology in 2026, drawing on emerging signals, open questions, and unresolved tensions shaping the future of tech. We discuss: Likely directions in AI, HCI, and product design Shifts in how people may interact with technology Opportunities and risks around ethics, regulation, and trust What designers, researchers, and tech leaders should prepare for Why uncertainty matters more than prediction 💡 This episode is not about forecasting. It’s about learning how to think responsibly about the future. 👉 Tune in for a grounded, reflective look at the possibilities that 2026 may bring. #HCIExplained #FutureOfTech #Tech2026 #HCI #UX #TechnologyTrends

    38 min
  5. Tech Successes and Failures of 2025 #HCIExplained

    31/12/2025

    Tech Successes and Failures of 2025 #HCIExplained

    2025 was a defining year for technology, marked by major breakthroughs and equally notable missteps. In this episode of HCI Explained, we examine the biggest tech successes and failures of 2025, delving beyond headlines to understand why some ideas were successful while others failed. We cover: The most impactful tech successes and what made them succeed High-profile failures, flops, and controversies Overhyped technologies that didn’t deliver Key decisions around design, ethics, timing, and execution Practical lessons for designers, engineers, and product leaders 💡 This episode isn’t about winners and losers; it’s about learning how innovation actually succeeds or fails in the real world. 👉 Tune in for a clear, balanced reflection on what 2025 taught us about building technology responsibly and effectively. #HCIExplained #Tech2025 #TechFailures #TechSuccess #ProductDesign #UX #TechnologyTrends

    40 min
  6. Heuristic Evaluation: Quick Wins in UX #HCIExplained

    03/10/2025

    Heuristic Evaluation: Quick Wins in UX #HCIExplained

    Want to find usability problems before they frustrate your users?That’s where heuristic evaluation comes in — a quick, expert-based method that delivers powerful UX insights without needing large-scale testing. In this episode of HCI Explained, we explore how heuristic evaluation works and why it’s a must-have in every UX toolkit: What heuristic evaluation is and how it helps spot usability issues. Nielsen’s 10 usability heuristics, explained with simple, real-world examples. Step-by-step process: gathering evaluators, reviewing the interface, logging problems, and prioritising fixes. Quick wins: fast, low-cost, and highly effective for improving user experience. Limitations: why expert judgment should complement, not replace, user testing. 💡 Heuristic evaluation is all about achieving quick wins in UX — making products more intuitive, consistent, and user-friendly from the start. 👉 Tune in to discover how you can apply heuristic evaluation today to improve your designs.

    31 min
  7. How to Conduct Usability Testing #HCIExplained

    02/10/2025

    How to Conduct Usability Testing #HCIExplained

    Ever tapped through an app and thought, who tested this?That’s where usability testing comes in — one of the most practical and powerful methods in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and UX design. In this episode of HCI Explained, we unpack the essentials of usability testing: What it is and why it matters Step-by-step process: setting goals, recruiting users, creating tasks, running sessions, and analyzing insights Best practices: test early and often, stay neutral, and keep it simple Common mistakes: leading participants, testing with too few users, or ignoring real-world context Examples in action: from apps to dashboards to VR headsets 💡 Usability testing helps us design products that are more intuitive, accessible, and enjoyable. And here’s the good news: it’s not just for big companies — anyone building an interface can do it. 👉 Tune in to learn how usability testing can transform the way you design and experience technology. #HCIExplained #UsabilityTesting #UXResearch #HumanComputerInteraction

    19 min
  8. Multimodal Interaction: Blending Touch, Voice, and Beyond #HCIExplained

    21/09/2025

    Multimodal Interaction: Blending Touch, Voice, and Beyond #HCIExplained

    Every day, you’re already engaging in multimodal interaction, whether you’re tapping on a screen, speaking to a virtual assistant, or combining gestures and voice commands in your car. But what does it really mean when technology supports more than one way of communicating? And how does it change the way we design, use, and experience our digital tools? In this episode of HCI Explained, we explore multimodal interaction: the blending of touch, voice, gesture, and other input modes to create more natural, flexible, and powerful ways of working with technology. 🔹 What we cover in this episode: The basics of multimodal interaction and why it’s a step beyond single-mode systems. How combining modalities (like voice + touch, or gesture + gaze) reduces cognitive load and enhances accessibility. The challenges designers face when blending modalities, including context, consistency, and system complexity. Everyday examples: voice assistants, adaptive car interfaces, VR/AR environments, and smart devices. Emerging frontiers: AI-driven multimodality, where systems learn and adapt to your preferred ways of interacting. Multimodal systems aren’t just about convenience, they represent a major shift in human-computer interaction (HCI). They allow more inclusive experiences, support diverse user needs, and create interfaces that adapt to us rather than forcing us to adapt to them. As automation and AI increasingly shape how we live and work, multimodal interaction also raises fascinating design and ethical questions: How can we ensure systems remain intuitive while growing in complexity? What happens to agency when the system “decides” which mode to prioritise? Can multimodal interaction help close accessibility gaps, or will it widen them if not carefully designed? By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer sense of how multimodal interaction is already shaping your daily tech experiences and how it could transform the future of human-AI collaboration. 🎧 Tune in and let’s unpack the many voices, touches, and gestures that are redefining interaction. #HCIE #MultimodalInteraction #UX #HCI

    31 min
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About

Curious about how humans interact with technology? HCI Explained breaks down complex Human-Computer Interaction topics into clear, engaging stories. From agency and automation to design ethics and UX psychology, we explore how tech shapes what it means to be human. Whether you're a student, designer, or tech enthusiast, join us weekly to learn how interaction design influences our everyday lives. Support the show on Buy Me a Coffee to help keep new episodes coming: https://buymeacoffee.com/hciexplained. 💙🚀

Information

  • Creator
    HCI Explained
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © HCI Explained
  • Show Website
    HCI Explained