HCI Interface Evaluation: Designing with GOMS and KLM Models

Designing intuitive user interfaces requires more than just aesthetic intuition; it demands a structured, scientific understanding of how humans interact with technology. This text-based course introduces you to the foundational predictive models used to analyze, evaluate, and optimize user interaction without the need for expensive, time-consuming user testing. You will transition from relying on guesswork to using proven quantitative methods to evaluate interface efficiency. By learning to calculate user task times and identify interaction bottlenecks, you will be equipped to make data-backed design decisions that directly improve the user experience across various digital platforms. What you'll learn: - Understand the core principles of human-computer interaction and cognitive modeling. - Apply GOMS (Goals, Operators, Methods, and Selection rules) to analyze complex user tasks. - Calculate interface efficiency using the Keystroke-Level Model (KLM) for desktop and web applications. - Adapt classic evaluation models to modern touchscreens, gesture-based interactions, and mobile environments. - Identify design bottlenecks and compare alternative layouts quantitatively before writing code. - Integrate model-based evaluations into your standard user experience design and development workflows. The course begins with foundational concepts of human information processing and cognitive architecture. You will then progress through step-by-step written guides and practical analysis exercises, moving from basic keystroke calculations to comprehensive task-modeling strategies. This course is designed for beginner UX designers, product managers, and software developers looking to add quantitative evaluation to their toolkit. No prior experience in cognitive psychology or advanced mathematics is required. Start reading today to master the scientific models that drive highly efficient digital interfaces.