Interaction design in everyday computer-based systems : challenges, design strategies and solutions

This thesis aims to contribute towards addressing the challenges that interaction designers of “emerging everyday computer-based systems” (ECS) are facing. ECS can be characterised as the computer technologies and applications which are expected to become mainstream and have high impact on the lives and everyday activities of the citizens of the Information Society in the coming years. A key aspect of ECS is diversity in the underlying technology and (hardware and software) user interfaces, as well as in the target user groups, contexts of use and user goals. More specifically, this thesis aims to create new knowledge and provide concrete design approaches and solutions related to four interaction domains, namely: (i) Virtual Environments (VEs); (ii) Accessible Computer Games; (iii) Software Agents; and (iv) Interactive Applications for Young Children. In this context, the main outcomes of this thesis are: • A novel intuitive interaction metaphor for Virtual Environments and the process followed towards defining and refining it. • A fully-functional universally accessible chess game which is publicly available on the Web and was nominated for the final jury decision of the 2004 European Design for All Awards set by the European Commission. • A generic model for simulating an artificial sensory system intended to be used for the creation of intelligent software agents. • A design process and its results for the creation of a multi-perspective collaborative application for young children. Beyond the specific contribution in each interaction domain, some more general conclusions are derived from the overall research work conducted, regarding interaction design for ECS. For each design challenge guidance is provided on how it can be faced, based on the experience gained from the research and development work conducted for the completion of this thesis.