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Published, Version of Record (VoR)Open Access via Drexel Libraries Read and Publish Program 2025CC BY V4.0, Open
Conference proceeding
Visual Representations of Human-Centered Design by Students in Computer and Information Science
EduCHI '25: Proceedings of the 7th Annual Symposium on HCI Education, pp 1-12
29 Jul 2025
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Abstract
Human-centered design (HCD) is a foundational component of HCI education. This paper investigates how students conceptualize HCD after completing their first course on the subject by analyzing their visual representations of HCD. Using quantitative visual content analysis and metaphor analysis, this study examines the formal and expressive qualities of 106 student drawings and the conceptual metaphors they employ. The results show a diversity of visualization approaches, with flow charts predominating and 86% demonstrating user-centeredness. Many of the drawings employed rich and diverse metaphors, including design as constructing a building, design as a journey, and design as a series of mountains to climb, offering insight into novice designers’ mental models. The paper contributes a reusable learning activity, insights into students’ conceptualizations of HCD, and a novel metaphor bank to support HCI education and design reflection. These findings inform pedagogical strategies for fostering deeper engagement with HCD.
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Details
- Title
- Visual Representations of Human-Centered Design by Students in Computer and Information Science
- Creators
- Tim Gorichanaz (Corresponding Author) - Drexel University, Information Science
- Publication Details
- EduCHI '25: Proceedings of the 7th Annual Symposium on HCI Education, pp 1-12
- Publisher
- Association for Computing Machinery
- Resource Type
- Conference proceeding
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Information Science
- Other Identifier
- 991022064141904721