Assignment 1
Introduction
There is no product that goes off without a design, whether to implement aesthetic values or functional values for a better user experience. Design may exist in different forms where it can be both implicit or explicit through observation around our surroundings. However, design should be exhibited to solve problems of different range of users. Ability of creating a good design requires a significant amount of data and insights which includes research and analysis method.
According to Norman’s Interaction Diagram, approachable guide of a design should be narrow down into seven fundamental principle of actions which includes planning, specifying, performing, perceiving, interpreting, comparing, and finding the right goal. Gulf of execution involves formation of goal, formation of intention, specification of action, and execution of action while gulf of evaluation involves perceiving the state of the world, interpretation of state of the world, and evaluation of outcome. These attributes of good design would fulfill the basic requirement of users after understanding users’ needs, interpreting users’ behaviours, and create communication with users without creating any information that misleads users to a wrong path hence being unable to reach the prior goal of the design.
Good Design: The principle of consistency.
The design above illustrates an outdoor or portable Bluetooth speaker which has successfully incorporated with the principle of consistency. Principle of consistency is defined as the functional-meaning and action that exist readily or have consistent actions which enables users to improve on learnability and understanding of the product.
Portable Bluetooth speaker consists of several buttons with printed symbols, icons or labels as a clear indication of the specific functions respectively. Principle of consistency of this design is where there is a high recognition of similar printed symbols, icons or labels to users. Users are exposed to similar concepts with a certain amount of consistent use of the symbols, icons or labels in daily life which give rise to leverages of prior knowledge and makes the portable Bluetooth speaker easier to be used. By means of consistent use, users will efficiently transfer their prior knowledge into new contexts or new design which increases the ability to learn and adapt to new design quickly and give most of their attention on the relevant aspects of operating the portable Bluetooth speaker. The design had implied not only on the principle of consistency but also visibility and signifier.
Bilateral hands free taking feature is illustrated by the icon the phone which indicates the feature of answering, hanging up or rejecting phone calls. Switching mode and power features is illustrated by the icon of on and off, and the label of alphabet letter of ‘M’ which implies switching modes, whether to Bluetooth mode or SD card mode. Bluetooth one button reconnection feature is illustrated by the icon of the Bluetooth which enables compatible devices to be connected to the portable Bluetooth speaker and the icon of play and pause during ongoing of playing songs. Volume control and song switching features are illustrated by the symbol of increasing and decreasing for users to adjust to the desirable or optimal volume and symbol of arrows indicates playing of previous or next song which comes in the playlist. There are two other compartments which shows insertion of micro SD card if users prefer not to connect to any Bluetooth device and USB cable to recharge or connect to any other device through cable. Portable Bluetooth speaker had integrated with the principles of visibility and feedback where users understand if the speaker is function-able and it clearly confirm users’ action. Production of sound is projected whenever users intend to power on or off, switching modes to either Bluetooth or SD card. Exhibition of lights is projected whenever users intend to recharge the portable Bluetooth speaker or when it is at the state of power on. There is no mixing of systems which causes confusion to users while using the portable Bluetooth speaker. There a significant loop for the attachment of the hook directly to the portable Bluetooth speaker which enables users to attach the speaker to a secured position where it creates a user-friendly approach while using the speaker, for example, attaching the speaker by hooking it to the strap of user’s jeans or bag. Intention of portable is reinforced by the idea of using the hook but also the portable Bluetooth speaker itself having the properties of light weight item which does not creates extra burden to users while using.
Gulf of execution for the portable Bluetooth speaker includes providing music playing of a device as a goal, having features that controls the portable Bluetooth speaker as the intention, implying related symbols, icons or labels to the buttons to specify the action, and ability of controlling the portable Bluetooth speaker by pressing to specific buttons or inserting USB cable or micro SD card to it as the execution of action. This flow of process give rise to a function-able portable Bluetooth speaker which implies the world. Gulf of evaluation of the portable Bluetooth speaker includes ability to perceive projection of lights and sound when making adjustments of the speaker, being able to interpret by confirming the actions performed by users which leads to playing of songs, pausing of songs, charging or switching modes and so on as the outcome.
Good Design: The principle of constraints.
The design above illustrates a scissors which has successfully incorporated with the principle of constraint. Principle of constraint is defined as the limitation to an interaction or an interface to take place in result to reduce the probability of chance of error. Limitation of interaction between the user and the product is implied generally not only to enhance a better user experience but also to take precautions of users’ safety and to maximize full attention.
Scissors may come in different forms of shape with several usage depending on the main purpose of material cutting. From the illustrated scissors above is for general usage of cutting such as paper cutting. Principle of constraint of this design is where different region of the scissors exhibits different limitation of usage while using. The top region of the scissors is comprised of two parts of the blade which focuses on the operation of cutting. The lower region of the scissors is also comprised of two parts of the handle which focuses on the operation of holding. The middle region of the scissors is mainly comprised of the pivot area which has a tension screw that holds both top and bottom region of the scissors and enables smooth operation of the scissors. The design had implied not only on the principle of constraint but also mapping and affordance.
Top region of the scissors has first and second blade arranged in a pivot position which enables users to turn or rotate while using. Arrangement of both blades are restricted in a substantially aligned method to close the mouth to operate close or open configurations. Each blade consists parts of outside blade, hollow ground, inside cutting edge and edge for users to operate action of cutting an item safely. Design of different parts of the blade intend to use only the edge, inside cutting edge and hollow ground area to cut whereas outside blade is excluded mainly to restrict any accidental injuries while cutting operation. The lower region of the scissors has two different sizes of ring which includes thumb ring and finger ring. This design restricts users in such a way that it enables perfect fitting of users’ fingers into it. Design of the ring is attached by a layer of plastic to further enhance the comfortability while cutting. The middle region of the scissors uses tension screw to restrict the process of cutting in certain degree of opening and closing motion. Top, middle and lower region is used to restrict in its own way to provide a better control of the blades between open and close configurations to ensure a smooth process of cutting material while having the correct proportion of ring for users during use. Opening or closing motion in a certain degree is mapped to the tendency of cutting more or lesser materials when operating. For example, users were expected to cut more when scissors are extended and open with a large distance between first and second blade while smaller distance when intended to cut lesser. Users also understands that the usage of lower region, thumb ring and finger ring maps to fit their fingers as they would not hold the scissors with the top region, blade area to cut. This shows that there is a high affordance because users can figure concepts out intuitively of how to operate without any guidance. However, the design of scissors does not restrict users to cut only in a manner, for example, users are able to cut desirable materials in a circular manner or any other patterns which results in different sizes and shapes of the material.
Gulf of execution of the scissors includes cutting as the goal, having blades because it has sharp features as the intention, specifying cutting motion by inserting fingers into specific rings, and being able to cut desirable materials as the execution of action. This flow of process give rise to a function-able scissors which implies the world. Gulf of evaluation of the scissors includes the ability to perceive exhibition of cutting motion, the ability of interpreting the amount of opened and closed degree of the scissors which determines more or lesser amount of the material to be cut. All in all, principle of constraint is used to enhance a better user experience by being able to be controlled by users.
Bad Design: The principle of conceptual model
The design above illustrates the design of dining area which has poorly incorporated with the principle of conceptual model. Principle of conceptual model is defined as the mental model of how to use a product after interpreting its principles, mind sets and techniques which are absorbed from various cultural background. It is crucially important as it directly affects the experience of users, and it is responsible for the seated people to have their meals regardless of time or day.
There are many existing designs of dining area where some fulfill the needs of users where some does not. Principle of conceptual model of this design is where users are expected to lie down or at resting position for comfortability but users do not actually rest their backs while eating. The distance of users at a resting position of leaning back and being able to reach their meals presented on the table is far. This may cause users’ hand is being pressured to maintain at an uncomfortable position. The sharp edges of the table may bring harm to users especially for users such as children and elderly as they would not be able to notice. For example, children often run around which in result may have higher chance to knock into the sharp edges of the table. Through combination of both, principle of conceptual model and principle of affordance, the design of storage which is attached in the middle of two seats for both sides exhibits low visibility which results in users leaving their personal belongings either on top of the table of on the floor beside them. As illustration above shows a dining area for not more than four people and users would be expected to either sliding from the left or right side to sit exhibits the principle of constraints.
Solution to resolve the problems is to eliminate the resting back part of the chairs as it is not necessary for users which encourages users to sit upright and put focus on having their meals. Sharp edges of the table should be changed into round edges mainly for safety purposes. The design of storage used in between the seats should use squares of smaller sizes with a contrasting colour to the table to increase its discoverability and at the same time being able to hold onto smaller items of the users without dropping it on the ground. For example, umbrellas, water bottle or handbags. Additional drawers can be introduced as well for users who prefer to slide in their personal belongings such as mobile phone, keys, purse or wallet. As for the limitation of seats, bench-like chairs should be implemented for an increase number of users to sit. To further enhance the comfortability of users, adjustable chairs should be introduced into this design such as installing knobs of adjusting the height and distance of users for chair to table ratios. This approach is beneficial to users of special needs where it provides them an easier and convenient way of using it. Table should be extendable as for more space for users to enhance better dining experience.
Gulf of execution of the dining area includes a place to have meal as the goal, eating and drinking as the intention of this dining area, specifying the intention by having a sitting or resting position comfortably, and executing action by having a resting back chair of four attached to a squared table. This flow of process give rise in inadequate comfortability of users. Gulf of evaluation of the dining area includes not having enough seats for five or more users, sharp edges of the table which users have high tendency of knocking towards it, not user-friendly for all range of people which includes users that comes from different height and weight, and the inconvenience of storing personal items, hence after interpreting should imply extendable table with round edges with adjustable chair, and a more convenient storage for users, which in results of a space efficient, minimal injury, optimal leg room and better storage of a dining area.
Bad Design: The principle of affordance
The design above illustrates a disposable coffee cup which is poorly incorporated with the principle of affordance. The principle of affordance is defined as the ability to know how to interact without communication whereby considering the quality and features of the product to be used in different ways appropriately.
Disposable paper cups are designed in many ways to improve its design to fulfill the needs of users more conveniently. However, principle of affordance which incorporates which the principle of signifier in this design of coffee cup on labelling is unclear. Label of caution hot on the coffee cup lid indicates high temperature of the liquid within it without users noticing. Users often neglect the labels of caution hot mainly because users do notice that their drinks are hot upon ordering it and the labels printed are of the same colour as the coffee cup lid. Also, knowing that the coffee cup should be hot be to hold by users but it does not have a coffee cup sleeve wrapping the coffee cup. The structure of a sculptured lid with sipping hole logically communicate by giving indications to users with the idea of placing users’ lips above to drink. Incorporation of the principle of affordance and principle of mapping, sipping hole is associated with an open area which will further encourage users to the cue of drinking positions which often burns lips of the users. Large sipping holes creates frustration of the users as it may be too hot to be handled if users were to operate actions such as walking or driving while drinking. Users tend to remove sculptured lid whenever users intend to add milk or sugar which may encourage potential spills. However, there are several pop up buttons designed to simply press to ease the hassle of labelling of individual preferences of drinks, and in this case for cappuccino, black coffee, latte or any other hot drinks which are good implication of principle of signifier. Workers would press the pop up triangular buttons once the orders are ready.
Solution to overcome the problems are caution hot labels can be redesigned by providing a clearer indication as the label itself may not be visible to users especially when it shares the same colour as the lid which also causes users to neglect it. Absent of coffee cup sleeves or cup holder creates a certain degree of discomfort to users, especially if users were to hold the hot drink for a longer period of time. Label of caution hot can be reinforced by the addition of coffee cup sleeves or cup holder which directly inform users that drinks are hot, at the same time keeping their hands free from burn injuries. By the addition of coffee cup sleeves or cup holder will certainly increase the overall cost of the product. The coffee cup is designed in such a way that it is sealed with polyethylene or plastic lining on the interior which is priory meant for single-use and easy disposable purposes. Narrowing down the usage of recycled paper cups to lower down the cost may not be an ideal option as recycled fibre more expensive than virgin fibre (Peters, 2018). Design of the sipping hole enables lower lips to rest while creates a higher tendency of burning due to direct contact of upper lips to the hot drink. Disposable cup can be designed in such a way that it insulates liquid to keep hot drinks from cooling and not feeling hot to be touch by users so that users experience is maintained (Stout, 2013). Coffee cup sleeves or cup holder can be produced by using recycled materials with less percentage of plastic lining to easily separate during recycling (Hooker, 2017). Besides, the lids should have a smaller hole and deeper depression designed to fit upper lip just like a lower lip to avoid burns. Importance of coffee cup sleeves and suitable sipping holes for users is very crucial as this may encourage or discourage the next shopping experiences of the users.
Gulf of execution includes to keep hot drinks as the goal, by forming an intention of minimal usage of actual cups or glass, by using disposable cups specifically, and executing an action by closing the cup with a lid. This flow of process give rise in inadequate comfortability of users. Gulf of evaluation includes perceiving unclear label, too hot to hold the cup, not recyclable, and may burn users’ lips, to change colour of the label, add recyclable coffee sleeves, and smaller lid holes with deeper depression after interpreting which in results of a clear indication, eco-friendly and better drinking experience.
Reference
Hooker, L. (2017, October 11). Four solutions to the disposable coffee cup problem. British Broadcasting Corporation News. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/business-40951041
Norman, D. (2014). The design of everyday things. In Choice Reviews Online (Vol. 51). https://doi.org/10.5860/choice.51-5559
Peters, A. (2018). Starbucks recycled 25 million old paper coffee cups into new cups. Retrieved from https://www.fastcompany.com/90270871/starbucks-recycled-25-million-old-paper-coffee-cups-into-new-cups
Stout, H. (2013, October 21). Not Just a Hot Cup Anymore. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/21/booming/not-just-a-hot-cup-anymore.html
Cognition & Design 