Introduction
How can we know difference between good design and bad design? We usually will start by comparing the differences. Design is done with process for reasons, and it takes time to build an eye for it.We can learn the fundamentals, but the best way to think like a designer is to practice.
How can we know difference between good design and bad design? We usually will start by comparing the differences. Design is done with process for reasons, and it takes time to build an eye for it.We can learn the fundamentals, but the best way to think like a designer is to practice.
What is a good design There’s certainly more than one approach to clarify it, however if I want to explain would be “problem solver solvers”. Great design that is one that fills user need, so good designer does not priorities the not one only functional or usable. A good designerwill know how to takcle the users, and turns their needs into an easy-to-use also a meaningful product . While a bad design is opposite or the product is just difficult to figure the function.
Good Design
The automobile dashboard above has use the principle of signifiers successfully without sacrificing the aesthetic. Principle of signifiers based in book of signifier refers to any mark or sound, any perceivable indicator that communicates appropriate behavior to a person.
Automobile dashboard screen has 3 screens based on figures from the left is the speedometer, tachometer and multifunction display. The speedometer and tachometer have symbols which is the warning and indicators lights, it is rather simple to indicate the user. The speedometer is analog speed meter while at the bottom is to indicate user the total mileage of the car. Move to the tachometer that has various symbols for their own function. Some these signifiers also use the principle of feedback.
On the speedometer, there are tire pressure warning lights the symbols which has exclamation mark which indicate the user if there are any event of loss pressure in the tire. Low beam warning light which look like a jelly fish that only have four tentacles also is at the speedometer. Tachometer have a symbol ‘p’ in a circle this is for electric parking brake light. The one that looks like pipe symbol is an emission control warning light which informing user to check engine. On the tachometer also, has seat belt warning light if the user or in case there is a passenger does to wearing the seatbelt it will light up and make a high pitched clicking sound. The selector-lever position and engage gear display also is inform whether the user is engaging with the right gear. Besides, the common symbol is the left turn signal, right turn signal low beam warning light, high Beam Assistant warning light and rear fog light warning light. Figure 4, the multi-function display which on the right screen can inform the u can use the multifunction display to perform tasks such as displaying vehicle information, controlling the audio mode, measuring the oil level which the symbol is look like genie’s lamp, checking the tire pressure, using the stopwatch, or operating the navigation system. In addition, numerous vehicle settings can be changed.
Gulf of execution for the automobile dashboard car is to indicate the user the warning if there is a malfunction with the car, to inform there are certain has not been perform or to tell that the device has been switch on or use. As an example, user need to drive in the dark but could not see anything and wanted more source of light to see the road this will be the goal, user will have to choose different kind level of beams this situation could specify the action. If the car already switches on the low beam button. If the user could see the road this which implies the road. Gulf of evaluation that the low beam light does not give them enough source of light but it is closer to goals which is to have more visibility to drive in the dark. Thus, the user will change the low beam to high beam lights. If the action takes place and the user can see the road clearer and more visible so the goal has reached
Design for this Central Processing Unit I consider as a good design as the design include constraint, signifiers and using the right conceptual model. Constraints are powerful clues, limiting the set of possible actions. The thoughtful use of constraints in design lets people readily determine the proper course of action, even in a novel situation by Don Norman. Physical constraints limited what parts would fit together.
Central Processing Unit may come in various interface and sizes and may have more function than one in the figures and it will connect to computer screen. Physical constraints are made more effective and useful if they are easy to see and interpret, for then the set of actions is restricted before anything has been done,this principle has apply for the wires to the slots at the back of Central Processing Unit.This may avoid improper insertation and could damage the device.Another constrint that has been applied is logical constraints the button to open the CD or DVD slot, below the USB slot, this is because that is the only possible button besides the power button that has signifier.The signier for each slot is well mapping as it put below of the each slot.The shape of the Central Processing Unit itself is match with conceptual model as there is still no of sphere Central Processing Unit for the shape.
Gulf of execution of Central Processing Unit is to fetch document from pen drive that insert in the USB slot is the execution of the action.This flow of process that could fetch the document from the USB is the execution of action. Gulf of evaluation of Central Processing Unit is able to transfer the document to the computer file or the desktop.
Bad design
The interface or design of this or most of photocopy machine has poor design, this is undeniable a complex device and most the same kind item will come to with a manual to direct user on how to use it, the design of this item is just too many function and control. We usually will just simply memorize one few settings to execute action that is desired. This will lead to the frustration of the user as the all these functions and control is a confusing device. Personally, this device is lack of constraints as for the first time user absolutely will frustrated by overwhelming buttons.
. Photocopy problems through their LED screens, with series of codes. Codes pop up when the drawer is not shut, when one of the gears for printing two sided is printed with ink or the machine is overheated. Sometimes photocopy codes are straightforward, for example, “Paper Jam” or “Low on Ink.” Other codes may not be easy interpret, when they are strings of numerical and characters. Most of these to read these codes are just confusing. This problem is example of semantic constraint that can lead frustration to the user and affect the experience.
Solution to this trouble is to put the possible error at a sticker and paste it at one of the machine parts. This will make the user what to do next rather than have to take manual and find the error himself. This way also the will know when it necessary to call a mechanic to resolve the issue. The design of the interface that has many function and button can make it less with put only buttons that with function button at the touch screen led and also include instructions so the user will know what is the next action that should, both of these can appear from the screen it will increase its discoverability and lessen the possible constraints
Gulf of execution of the photocopy machine is include scanning and photocopy documents as the goal of this design, pressing the right button to scan photocopy the machine with right amount is executing the action. This flow of process will make the document will not have any glitch with the ink nor the machine. Gulf of evaluation is when there is an error pop out when photocopy documents. User will have to check the error and if the error pop up “Low paper” thus the user has to go the compartments and check. If the paper is not sufficient, user will have to put with right amount of paper to reach the goal.
Design of this wireless bluetooth portable speaker,I categorize as bad design because of it lacks of discoverability and feedback. How we can determine if only this is given to you and an instruction for you to download? It leaves us with very limited clue of information to figure how the function when user in inexperience by the device. Discoverability as based on the book of The Design of everyday Things is Discoverability. It is possible to determine what actions are possible and the current state of the device. And conceptual model that can lead to understand and feeling of control, also difficult to get good feedback from the model.
This product is lack discoverability if the user wants to find the signifiers such the power button they have to search around it as the power button has similar color as the background, Besides the button has to press until there is a drum played automatically play by the speaker .Next, as this is a wireless Bluetooth speaker you have to connect to a device to make it function, top of the power button there is a Bluetooth which indicate the button is there but for first time pairing the button should press longer rather than just a light press. Thus, the bad feedback from this device is known. There is tap control to you can use once you connect a device to the speaker that you can straight play song by single tap or double tap to skip a song but there is no clue of this features at the speaker unless you read the manual that you download from the app. This speaker does not feature play or pause button thus is lack of signifiers.
As the bottom of the speaker there is two holes and look alike ring. This signifier is a symbol for cable and auxiliary input while the one that look like a ring is actually you can twist and open attached it to a tripod. All this feature is known after one hour of exploring the speaker itself, for this such a simple device the personally the design is quite complex. In the manual now the signify inform that it only can connect physical only using auxiliary cable and the micro-USB cable is only for charging.
Solution for this device is to put the signifiers with contrast color and add play or pause button function so the user will have more control and reach the conceptual model and better discoverability. The Bluetooth button can connect or pair with device using only on press button. The speaker should be can connected using micro-usb cable rather than just the auxiliary cable to have better experience.
Gulf of execution for this device is playing music as a goal and he function and control at the speaker as the intention, the portable speaker will play only by the device that is connect to the speaker by the auxiliary cable or Bluetooth and control by outside device to play the music it as the execution of the action. Music playing through the speaker could implies the world. Gulf of Evaluations an ability to adjust the volume of the speaker or connect to other new device(s).
References
Norman, D. A. (2013). The design of everyday things. NY, NY: Basic Books.
2017-2019 718 Cayman – Manual. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.porscheownersmanuals.com/2017-718-cayman-manual/17/125/Instrument-Panel-and-Multifunction-Display
Cognition & Design 