Despite the technological gap that
occurs between the time that The Design
of Everyday Things was written and present day, there were many points made
by Donald Norman that are still applicable today. It was interesting to see how
often I found myself agreeing with Norman when it came to the reservations we had
against technology of our day. For instance, his grievances against his
complicated office phone, how some functions weren’t clearly labeled, why
certain controls seemed arbitrary and so on are all feelings I’ve experienced
when dealing with newfangled pieces of technology and sometimes with products
that are not so newfangled. Before I got my iPhone I was in possession of an Android
phone and while some people are gifted enough to be able to become accustomed to
using them, I was not. The fact that in order to bring up the menu on any
certain page I had to touch the bottom corner of the phone was something I couldn’t
get used to. There was no indication that the “button” was there as it only lit
up after I touched it. (I realize that this is a very simple concept but I
just couldn’t get used to it and it frustrated me to no end.) Another idea that
he pointed out that really interested me was that of natural mapping. It’s a
simple idea and once he explained it I could think of many objects that I use
that would be easier to use if their designers decided to incorporate the idea.
The volume control on my laptop, for instance, oddly increases the volume if
you press the lower of the two buttons.
One product in my life that seems
to exemplify a number of problems that Norman points out is my hair
straightener. I’m sure I’d use it more often if it was easier to use. There are
a couple of dials on it that I’m not quite sure of their functions because they
have no labels. I can’t exactly see how they affect the temperature of the straightener
either in fear that I might burn my hair off. In addition, the on/off button is
very slight so that a light push against it could activate it. So if I am using
it and accidentally brush against the button, the heat turns off.
Very nice response; the failings of your hair straightener are so clear and well-described.
ReplyDeleteI personally don't use hair straighteners partially because my hair is already pretty straight, and partially because I am also afraid of burning my hair off, so I don't really know a lot about them. Have you seen other straighteners with a simpler or clearer design, and would you invest in another one? I think my sister has one that has a pretty solid on/off button and a simple dial you rotate to make it hotter or less hot.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I've never used a straightener, your points make a lot of sense. Especially with a more dangerous object that could possibly HURT you, simplicity and clarity seem very important. I have a friend who routinely singes her neck from her straightening iron. My only solution to this problem may be to switch to a straightener that seems safer and more reliable?
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