Interesting Web Page

"The apex of usability, according to Schulze, would be that 'the same product would emerge from two agencies' given the same brief, whereas an indication of good design is that 'you can see something of the designer in the product'. "

WEBSITE HERE!!!

This article is about evaluating design, and briefly talks about the purpose of designers and engineers, and how some problems we see as design errors are actually caused by the engineering behind the product. Also, as in the quote above, the author makes a distinction between usability of a product, and the design of a product. Basically one of the main points is excusing designers from the errors in their products. Sneaky designers...

Tutorials n' stuff

"A lot of manuals skip [tutorials] in favor of giving abstract instructions for how to do something, but not all brains can learn that way. For many people, a step-by-step tutorial is the only thing that helps them "get it." So, even though some users will never need or read the tutorial sections, they can mean the difference between a new user who actually uses the product and one who never gets past opening the box."

Sierra, http://headrush.typepad.com/creating_passionate_users/2006/09/how_to_get_user.html

I think this is relevant to design because it ties into the usability of the tutorial itself. Tutorials often are very confusing because of the limits of being printed on paper. I think that a really successful and cost-effective way to present a tutorial would be on a website online. There, the manufacturers, or whoever makes the manual, would post videos of sample users performing the actions described in the tutorial. That way, it would be more like a person showing you how to do it in real life, and therefore easier to learn. Also, the company could have cool visuals that wouldn't cost money in printing costs. Plus, the internet is fun!

Well designed product

I recently purchased a small, clip on table from the K bookstore. Yes, a clip on table. It is perfect for a dorm room setup, especially if you wear glasses like me, and need a place to put them when you go to sleep. The table uses adjustable, tightening grips to attach to my square bedpost, but it also comes with attachments so it works with round beds too. Although it is fairly small, the table has plenty of room for my glasses, alarm clock, and it even has a little indent to hold a drink, if I'm reading in bed or something. It was exceptionally easy to put together. I did not even need the instruction manual to attach it to the bed. All the parts are clear in their functions. All I had to do to get it on the bedpost was adjust the sliding grips to the correct fit, and tighten a small knob until it stayed. Pretty much the only mistake I could have made was to not tighten the grips enough, but I made sure they would stay before I put anything on them.
Overall, I am thoroughly satisfied with this product. It was decently cheap, and works perfectly as intended. It is reasonably aesthetically pleasing (it's all black), and the construction could hardly have been easier. Well designed is a perfect way to describe this product.

...sorry I couldn't find a picture of the product...

Design flaws

One product that I use regularly that I think has one major design flaw is the nalgene bottle. Sure, it is extremely durable, lightweight, and still holds a lot of water, but there is just one thing that bugs me all the time about it: it is impossible to drink while moving, without spilling whatever liquid is inside all over yourself. This is due to the large opening at the top. It is simply too big for any person's mouth. However when you are stationary, it is possible to carefully control the amount of water that flows from the container, but what if I am walking to class and get thirsty? I have to stop, which can lead to awkward social situations if I am with other people. Should they wait for me or go ahead?
Thankfully, there are multiple solutions to this problem. First, they now make nalgenes with smaller openings, perfect for drinking on the go. And second, there are small devices that plug roughly half of the opening, so as to limit the amount of liquid that gets through.

The nalgene with a parachute

So when Chris and I were brainstorming what materials to use for our egg's protective container, we ran through many different ideas. We thought of everything from cardboard boxes to hamster running balls and rubber bands. However, one constant was a parachute. We figured slowing down the entire contraption was key to its success. We eventually decided on a nalgene (they're "unbreakable" after all!) stuffed with paper towel to cushion the egg, and used coat hangers, cardboard, and a plastic bag for the parachute.
Once our creation was complete, we tested it by dropping it out of my room's window, down one story below. It didn't break upon landing, so we figured that it would work (hopefully) for the egg. How wrong we were...

Blooooooog

"The next time you can't immediately figure out the shower control in a motel or work an unfamiliar television set or stove, remember that the problem is in the design."

Norman DA. The design of everyday things. New York: Basic Books; 1988. 257 p.

...Doesn't this relate really closely to the learned helplessness theory that the author talked about earlier in the chapter? It seems like he wants you to automatically assign blame to the designer if you can't work a product, without considering if it is just human error. If we think like this, it's just making excuses for not being able to work a product.

Although sometimes it is the designer's fault, it certainly is not every single time that you can't figure out what to do to make a product function as it is supposed to.

...Just a thought.

Hi My Name Is...

Ezra. I'm still 17 (sigh), and I enjoy long walks on the beach, blue eyes, and eating.