Inaccurate Product Information is a Problem
I recently purchased a Princeton Tec Amp 4.0 flashlight from REI in Boise, Idaho. When reviewing the product packaging (see photo below), I was surprised to notice that it listed a shorter burn time for the low beam setting (120 hrs) compared to the high (150 hrs). Upon visiting the product’s website, I learned that the actual burn time for the low beam was 160 hrs.
While the error was nothing more then an annoyance, if it would have been an inaccuracy in the safety information, problems greater than annoyance might have resulted. Hence, it is important that manufacturers provide accurate packaging information so that users will know how to safely use their products.
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Boise’s Excellence in Design Awards for 2009
Last week the Idaho Business Review reported that Boise’s Mayor David Bieter would confer Excellent in Design Awards to “local architects, developers and builder for creativity in implementing the city’s design standards…” at a ceremony this evening.
According to the “Design Review Guidebook,” the goals include, among other things, “…proper circulation within parking spaces, provision of sidewalks to meet pedestrian needs, and to encourage architecture that responds to the needs of the users…” (p. 1). Some of the topics covered, that seek to meet the needs of users, include:
- Curbcuts shall be designed to provide good vehicle circulation and pedestrian safety. (p. 7)
- Accessible spaces shall be provided for disabled people… (p. 9)
- Valet parking facilities… (p. 10)
- Passenger loading zones… (p. 10)
- Service drives shall be designed and constructed to facilitate the flow of traffic, provide maximum safety for traffic ingress and egress, and provide maximum safety for pedestrian and vehicle traffic on site. (p. 11)
- The reduction of hazards to motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians as may be caused by or partially attributable to the distraction and obstruction of improperly located and designed signs… (p. 20)
While I commend the Department of Planning and Development on understanding the importance of designing for the needs of people, and that Mayor Bieter realizes that “good urban design makes our city more beautiful and livable,” I’m curious to learn what performance metrics are used to judge whether the projects comply or not. Moreover, while I’m sure the design review committee is competent in many respects, I have to wonder what specific knowledge and experiences they have in designing to accommodate the needs of people.
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Human Factor Quote
Last year I purchased a copy of “The American Idea: The Best of the Atlantic Monthly” and have been slowly working my way through the collection. One of the articles, “Perls of American Power” authored by Reinhold Niebuhr in 1932, makes reference to the human factor. Specifically, it states:
“The pecular weakness of businessmen and engineers is that they tend to disregard the human factor. Engineers are under no necessity to consider it and businessmen have an ideal of business efficiency which reduces it to a minimum. To deal with a matter in a “businesslike” fashion means precisely to eliminate the variable factors which the human situation always creates and to settle the question upon the basis of a general rule.”
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Examples of Poor Design from the Built Environment
A couple weeks ago, while on a weekend getaway in Idaho, I came across two examples of poor designs found in the built environment (see the two pictures provided below).
As you will notice from the above picture, it has the word “PUSH” printed in large, all caps font. Even though it has a sign instructing the user how to appropriately enter the door, many people, myself included, still grabbed the door handle and pulled. I’m sure you might be asking yourself how that is possible. Do these people not pay attention when moving through their environment? Perhaps. But, the more likely answer is found in the concept of affordances. Affordances are perceived qualities of an object that provide a user with information on how it can or should be used. In this instance, the shape of the door handle is such that a person is apt to interpret that it should be pulled. A more appropriate design would have been a flat plate, sans handle, mounted to the door. This would prevent the user from having to make a split-second decision about whether to push or pull, thus eliminating any confusion.
The above photo shows a poorly designed bathroom sink. The problem arises from the faucet being set too far from the basin’s edge. Thus, people have a tendency to bump their hands against the edge of the basin when washing. The easy fix is to either move the faucet closer to the edge of the basin or increase the circumferance of the basin so its edge is closer to the faucet.
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Human Factors and the Built Environment
An important emerging area within the discipline of human factors and ergonomics concerns applying the principles and concepts of user-centered design to the built environment. In essence, it consists of learning about and understanding the needs of intended users to facilitate successful designs. Moreover, it applies state-of-the-art research about their capabilities and limitations to carefully design interactions that create a safe and ideal user experience. Appropriately crafted solutions should:
- Increase safety, health, productivity, reliability, quality, comfort, satisfaction, and ease of learning & use.
- Decrease accidents, injuries, illnesses, fatigue, physical stress, absenteeism, turnover, and maintenance costs.
User-centered design seeks to positively impact all users of the built environment including customers, employees, management, maintenance, and other similar facility users. Appropriate solutions can have dramatic effects on all users including special populations such as older adults, children, prisoners, or other special needs populations. Moreover, they can also address the growing trend of accepting sustainable design elements within the building industry.
User-centered design can be applied to the all types of built environments including:
- Schools
- Hospitals and health care facilities
- Retirement communities
- Next-generation office space
- Manufacturing facilities
- Retail stores
- Communities and urban planning
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