Why are Human-Computer Interfaces Difficult to Design and Implement?

Everyone knows that designing and implementing human-computer interfaces is difficult and time-consuming. However, there is little discussion of why this is true. Should we expect that a new method is around the corner that will make the design easier? Will the next generation of user interface toolkits make the implementation trivial? No. This article discusses reasons why user interface design and implementation are inherently difficult tasks and will remain so for the foreseeable future. Copyright Ó 1993 - Carnegie Mellon University This research was sponsored by the Avionics Lab, Wright Research and Development Center, Aeronautical Systems Division (AFSC), U. S. Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-6543 under Contract F33615-90-C-1465, Arpa Order No. 7597. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. Government. Keywords: User Interfa..