Christina Holman | Design Blog

In the previous post, I critically analyzed the multi-function devices being used at Wellesley and one of the most popular noted issues with these machines is the existence of poor mapping in the touchscreen and the keypad. Hence, I decided that the prototype of choice would be a new interface for those features of the MFDs, helping students and faculty navigate them. In designing a new interface, I first thought about the many comments other students expressed to me. Also, while keeping those notes in mind, I went to the MFD in the Science Center and played with it some more, in order that I could have a more critical eye and notice the pros and the cons of the device. I also took measurements of the screen and keypad for future reference. The first thing I personally noticed was how cluttered the screen looks and the lack of "common sense" functions and terms. Then, I turned to the complimentary keypad: it is abnormally shaped and holds several buttons placed inconve...

The newly established MFDs are intended to comprise scanning, printing and copying abilities in one device, but recently there has been mixed emotions on their efficiency. To evaluate interactions with the MFDs, it is important to use the  Seven Stages of Action  in Norman's Design of Everyday Things : For example.... Forming the goal -- To print document I sent from computer Forming the intention  -- I will approach MFD and initiate the printing. Specifying an action  -- Log-in to account; find the queued document and "release;" and log-out Perceiving the state of the world  -- Screen change signifies I have "logged in"or have hit a button. There are 3 main buttons on the side panel and paper settings on the first screen. First screen is for "copy" and I need to "print." Interpreting the state of the world  -- "Job list" does not show my titled document so this is not where I should be. "Check job" is my current...

Donald Norman again has impressed me with his thorough understanding of design as an individual consumer and as the teacher. The Design of Everyday Things (DOET) is increasingly becoming a self-guide -- rather a self-help book -- for me. Whereas in Chapter 1 he stresses the importance of attributing failures to the design of the product and not ourselves and introduced some design principals, Chapter 2 delves deeper into the thinking processes necessary to develop a quality-designed product.  One of the central themes I enjoy in Norman's book is how he addresses the psychology  behind "human error" and "product error." Not only does he use specific examples of minuscule errors in product design (e.g. threading film into a projector) and major errors (e.g. the failure of all three plane engines during a flight), Norman actually utilizes psychology terminology and explanations. For instance, he describes the phenomenon of learned helplessness and taught help...

This week Prof. Banzaert introduced us to the wonderful world of  REVERSE ENGINEERING , where one builds "down" rather than "up" to understand the product. I disassembled two brands of milk frothers, IKEA (Top, A) and Bodum (Bottom, B), but, before then, I first evaluated how well each brand functions and interacts with the consumer. IKEA BODUM - Supposed to take 15-20s; took 31s - Supposed to take 25-30s; took 50s - No instructions - Includes instructions - Visual feedback - Visual feedback; poor mapping - General "affordances," i.e. where to hold, switch on/off - General "affordances," i.e. where to hold, switch on/off - Aesthetic appeal; professional and sleek - Quieter, smoother and quicker performance As a consumer who has no experience with making artistic coffee creations, I personally would not recognize the difference between the almost $3 and $20 models. However, if a consumer is heavily...

Again, welcome to my design blog! To read a little more about who I am and my goals, check out About Me . Here is a brief summary: I am a first year at Wellesley College I hope to become an engineer and pursue my interest in energy development I am also interested in economics and want to learn how to apply energy technology to economic systems I am still learning about myself... Two central goals I have for this class is 1) to enhance my creativity as an engineer and 2) to gain a better understanding of my engineer style. Whereas the latter will become clearer over time, I have already started to resolve the former through my exploration of the VHS tape VHS Tape Being the nostalgic person I am, I constantly find myself watching classic musicals and black-and-white films. In doing so, I have gained an appreciation for the revolution that the invention of film caused and has led to in the modern era. VHS and cassette tapes radically changed the social interactions betwe...

When Prof. Banzaert said that people live by this book, I thought I might like this book. No, I love it, and Donald Norman is a genius. A single man has encompassed every frustration and emotion I have had towards terribly designed products. Unlike those that continually attribute their failures with mechanics to their own inaptitude, I have always been the first to shout at an object and detail every aspect that is "wrong" about it.  Who made  you?... This is so non-user-friendly -- and just crazy... What person thought to put the buttons here? ... Even the instructions are terrible! However, Norman goes beyond just simple frustration and opens the reader to the technical details of product design. He placed words to why I thought a product is badly designed: now I can look for "feedback" and "mapping" in a design as well as conscientiously see how my brain identifies "affordance." Moreover, I really enjoyed how he uses many real-life exampl...