This assignment is intended to get you to analyze designs and how they can be improved through the application of human factors principles.
1. Designs: I’d like you to take photographs of 6 designs: one really good design and five designs that contain problems from a human factors perspective. For each of those designs, on a separate sheet of paper, provide the photo at the top and identify the design that you are analyzing. At the upper right corner of each page please place your name and make sure you label which of the six designs is your “Good” design.
2. Analysis: The basic task is the same for the good design and problem designs: There will be two paragraphs for this section for each:
a. The first paragraph will generally describe all the qualities about what is good (for the good design) or problematic (for the bad designs). Think about it this way: How would the average person on the street describe the design?
b. In the second paragraph, describe what those qualities are in human factors terms. These may be issues with visibility, controls, displays, issues with information, feedback, mappings between functions and controls, potential for error, and other concepts we discuss in class. Make sure you tie your issues in with specific terms and concepts we talk about in class. In other words, don’t just say “this device is easy to use” or “this device is hard to use.” While usability is a concept we will talk about in class, the description is not very specific, and doesn’t tie the design to the specific concept from class (“usability”). Make sure you describe the qualities so that it is clear to me what you are talking about and identify which of the designs is your “Good” design. (5 points)
3. Solutions: Then at the bottom of the page, provide a third paragraph that indicates a summary of how the design could be improved. Don’t just say “The design is great – I wouldn’t fix anything!” or “I’d fix the problems listed in part 2”. Be specific. (3 points)
4. Style: Make sure you use proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, and write in complete sentences. (2 points)
5. Cheating and Plagiarism: Shoot your own photographs. Do not take pictures off the internet. You are expected to do your own work.
6. Overall the paper should have:
a. Six unique designs (ie: don’t turn in 6 analysis of cars, or 6 devices with a single control)
b. The clarity of the photographs.
c. The completeness of the benefits (good design)/problems (bad designs) identified.
d. The creativity in identifying new improvements to the design.
e. Most important: How well you tie the problems and solutions to terms and concepts.
Comments from Customer
**Good Design:**
1. **Remote Control:** Easy to read and clear.
**Design Flaws:**
1. **Window Blinds:** are difficult to use, you have to pull it to the side to close it which takes a lot of time because most of the time it doesn’t close properly so i have to use my hands to pull it down.
2. **Kettle:** The water level is not visible.
3. **Light Switch:** It has a strange design where you push down to turn off and push up to turn on the light.
4. **Clothes Hanger:** The shape causes clothes to slip off easily.
5. **Kitchen Cabinets:** Due to their placement, they are hard to reach and I never use them. Discipline: Human factor
