February's issue of Mechanical Engineering is focused on the role of human factors in design. The lead article, the new point of view, discusses the renewed importance of human factors in product design, with a veritable who's who of IDSA experts in the subject, including Don Norman, Rob Tannen and Bryce Rutter.
The article is a useful introduction targeted at an engineering audience, and covering the wide range of human factors aspects, from physical fit to creating an emotional connection with the end-user:
"More than ever, successful companies incorporate human factors engineering, psychology, and cognitive theory in designs. Their goal is nothing less than to create a user experience that makes us love the product."
The issue also contains a focus on use - an article on the importance of collaboration between designers, researchers and engineers in creating usable products, and a video of a human factors discussion panel moderated by Don Norman. Accessing the video requires filling out a brief registration form.
Finally, ME magazine is clearly putting its money where its mouth is, by launching the human factors articles in conjunction with a nice upgrade to it's web site design.
