HCI - Human Computer interaction

HCI - How human interacts with computer

HCI researches the design and use of computer technology, focusing particularly on the interfaces between people and computers. Those who engages in this topic are trying to find better ways to interact with computers.

Researchers are concentrating on several things:

• methods for designing novel computer interface
• methods for evaluating and comparing interfaces with respect to their usability or other desirable properties
• methods for implementing interfaces
• methods for studying human computer use and its sociocultural implications more broadly

As a field of research, Human-Computer Interaction is situated at the intersection of computer science, behavioral sciences, design, media studies, and several other fields of study. The term was popularized by Stuart K. Card,but first used the term in 1980. The term connotes that, unlike other tools with only limited uses (such as a hammer, useful for driving nails, but not much else), a computer has many uses and this takes place as an open-ended dialog between the user and the computer. The notion of dialog likens human-computer interaction to human-to-human interaction, an analogy the discussion of which is crucial to theoretical considerations in the field. 

History of Human Computer Interaction

The most important thing in working on HCI is creating easy to use, "invisible" for user and good looking interface.
Work flow of  Human Computer interaction describes picture below:

The focus of HCI has moved beyond the desktop, and its focus will continue to move. HCI is a technology area, and it is ineluctably driven to frontiers of technology and application possibility. The special value and contribution of HCI is that it will investigate, develop, and harness those new areas of possibility not merely as technologies or designs, but as means for enhancing human activity and experience.

HCI matrix