DESIGNING *for humans

Focusing on Ethnographic Methods

After focusing primarily on anthropometric data and methods for the last 18 months, we are shifting to spotlight ethnographic methods.  This is to reach a broader spectrum of design researchers who work on a range of product and design issues.  We'll continue to cover anthropometric data and sources in an ongoing manner.

Applied ethnography may be defined as ethnographic field work done to bring the consumer's or customer's point of view to the design and development of a new product. Applied ethnography can also be used to improve existing products. - Liz Sanders, provides an excellent overview of ethnography in product design research that defines and differentiates it from other methods and provides some basic tools and guidelines.

To continue learning on your own, here is some excellent background reading/references on ethnography for design.   Otherwise, stay tuned tune to the IDSA Human Factors site for forthcoming recommended content, case studies and methods.

Input Wanted - Devices used for Design Research

I am gathering information on the history of devices and tools used in user and product research.  For example:

-What data collection devices have been used to capture how people use products (both currently and historically) - for example journals, photographs.

-What tools have been used to measure people, products and environments to ensure ergonomic fit?

-Also look for more general/historical research tools such as t-scopes, etc.


Please post responses to this thread via the comment feature or direct reply to me ([email protected]). Any existing sources of information on this topic would also be appreciated.

Patient Safety - Human Factors Journal

The latest issue of the Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society  (Volume 48, Number 1, Spring 2006), features a special section dedicated to Patient Safety.  There are ten articles covering a range of associated topics including medication labeling, information display and simulation.  Of particular note are two articles:

• "Describing Nurse's Work: Combining Quantiative and Qualitative Analysis" describes a method to study work processes combining link analysis (physical task flow) and cognitive pathways (mental task flow).
• "The Right Picture is Worth a Thousand Numbers: Data Displays in Anesthesia" discusses the us of graphic displays and data visualization to improve clinical information monitoring.

Bad Designs

In case you're not aware, there is a web site that has been collecting examples of poor product design for years.  Here's the link to the latest example:

http://www.baddesigns.com/cheek-music.html

Summer IDSA Innovation to Focus on Research

Although it's still a few months from publication, the next issue of Innovation, IDSA's journal, will feature the theme "Research & Strategies for Informing Breakthrough Design".  This issue will focus on content that is germane to the Human Factors section, including research methodologies and design tools.

I will post more information as it becomes available.

The issue is scheduled for printing on June 16th.  To see the entire 2006 Innovation editoral calendar:

http://www.idsa.org/webmodules/articles/articlefiles/Innovation_2006.pdf

Book Review: Universal Principles of Design

Although Universal Principles of Design was published in 2003, I'm embarrassed to admit that I only learned about it recently via Amazon's related books feature.  Embarrassed, because it's simply the best book I've read on general design and usability principles in terms of both its content and its presentation.

From its lack of publicity and academic-textbook style cover, one might overlook this book or assume that its content would be dull and dry.  But open up to any part of the book and you will quickly grasp its quality.  100 diverse design principles - from human computer interaction, aviation, biology, mathematics, gestalt psychology, etc. - are each presented on their own two page spread.  The left page provides the background information and concepts, the right side provides illustrations of examples.

For example, designing for the principle of "Forgiveness" (avoidance and support for errors) includes descriptions of various design methods for forgiveness, such as reversibility of actions and warnings.  Illustrations include examples from software, road signs, and mechanical devices. This type of diversity and balance of examples from across human experiences is rare in a book - most tend to focus on a particular area, such as just software.  I found myself learning new things as well as affirming my existing knowledge from my own education and experiences. 

On a personal note the book's most enduring effect will likely be its influence on my vocabulary.  Terms such as "aesthetic-usability effect" and "cost benefit analysis" have now become part of my everyday vocabulary, whereas before I used less articulate terms to discuss these key design principles.  In fact the book itself is a fine example of the aesthetic-usability effect.

If there is a criticism of this book it may be in the choice of the 100 principles.  The authors admit that there are far more than 100, but they had to compromise for practical reasons.  Given that, I wonder why certain oddities made it in, like the "Baby-Face Bias" (characteristics assigned to certain facial characteristics). On the other hand, it is principles like that which give the book is breadth and diversity and I shouldn't expect every principle to be applicable to my own work.  Certainly the majority of principles are useful and applicable.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Designing for People - Henry Dreyfuss

The republished version of Henry Dreyfuss' work-biography is extremely readable.  If anything, Dreyfuss comes across as confident and casual as he discusses his experiences in getting involved in product design, working with clients and conducting research. Dreyfus does not get into depth about any particular method or approach - as this is not a technical book, but he does stress the importance of design research. 

In a Q&A section towards the end he writes, that for every project:

“We begin with men and women and we end with them.  We consider the potential users’, habits, physical dimensions and psychological impulses.”

The book also gives an interesting view of business life in the middle of the 20th century, albeit skewed by the viewpoint of a highly successful business man.  At the same time, Dreyfuss' constant travel across the country in planes and trains gave him the opportunity to observe and identify areas for design improvements, many of which he was able to apply in his work.

The edition includes many illustrations and photos for reference.  I especially liked the "handwritten" notes referring to photos found later in the book.

The weakest part of the book is a section where the author gives predictions about the impact of technology on life in the future.  It's dull not only because of its inaccuracy (e.g. controlling the weather), but because it does not rely on Dreyfuss' incredible skills in observing and designing for the present.

You can link to the book on Amazon via the book list on the right column of this page.

Also see Carroll Gantz's review of the book on the IDSA site.

IDSA.org Human Factors Resources

There is a searchable index of Innovation magazine.  Results include the article title, author and issue, but article content is not available:

http://www.idsa.org/innovation.htm

The IDSA online bookstore (links to Amazon.com), has a collection of human factors-related titles:

http://new.idsa.org/webmodules/articles/anmviewer.asp?a=208&z=57

Annual Review of Human Factors and Ergonomics

The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society is publishing a new annual series to gather key  information from topics, with an emphasis on application to real-world design.

This volume focuses on the following topics:

·                    Biomechanical Modeling

·                    Human-Automation Interaction

·                    Technology and Aging

·                    Driving Safety

·                    Improving Product Safety and Effectiveness in the Home

·                    Reducing and Mitigating Human Error in Medicine

Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry - Design Articles

MDDI's site has an index of Design-related articles that covers a range of topics encompassing human factors, design, error avoidance, methods and case studies.

Articles are available online from 1996 to the present:

http://www.devicelink.com/mddi/categories/Design.html

Ergonomics Course Modules

The United States Air Force has a set of online course on ergonomics, including courses in:

• Tool Design
• Workstation Design
• Basic Biomechanics

This is quite useful information, and is not focused on military applications specifically.  For example, the section on Tool Design demonstrates different types of hand-grips with an ice-cream scooper.

Google Blog Search

Just a matter of weeks after my blogs presentation at IDSA, Google has launched a beta version of a blog search.  And my preliminary usage has found it to be very good (better than feedster, which I had previously recommended).

http://blogsearch.google.com/blogsearch

Try searching for "human factors"...

"Extra-Ordinary" Ergonomics: How to Accommodate Small and Big Persons, The Disabled and Elderly, Expectant Mothers, and Children

A new reference book has been published, focused assessment and design of the Ergonomics of special populations.

From the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society description:

"Underscoring the need for extraordinary ergonomics, the book illustrates various approaches to measuring the characteristics, capabilities, and limitations of those who differ from the norm. Kroemer explains how to assess and determine abilities and needs and demonstrates how to design tools, homes, and environments to make working space safe and living space easy.

Researchers and students will find helpful information about measuring people's sizes, strengths, weaknesses, and capabilities, and from this information determine the needs for specific ergonomic accommodations. The book enables human factors professionals, architects, and designers to devise work tasks, devices, tools, and environments for special populations – particularly for children. Health care professionals and employers will discover ways to help people who suffer from temporary or permanent disabilities so they can cope with the demands at work, at home, or in a care facility."

Human Factors Society Site Redesign

The Human Factors & Ergonomics Society Web site was recently redesigned.  This was a much needed improvement since the previous version was not well-organized or navigate.  I've asked HFES whether they've conducted usability testing during the site redesign...will let you know what I find out.  I certainly couldn't find anything on the site about it.

Human Factors Web Course

The Federal Aviation Administration offers a free multi-module course on Human Factors through its Web site.  The course covers a range of topics including visual displays, controls, cogntition and training.  It is designed for FAA employees, but all of the content and most of the functions are available to site visitors.  A good way to get an overview of human factors, or a particular sub-topic area.

Vicente's - "The Human Factor"

Kim Vicente's book, The Human Factor discusses the impact of studying human-system interaction, not only at the product or interface level, but all the way through organizational and political systems.

Filled with examples ranging from the design of electric guitars to the contamination of water systems, Vicente demonstrates how human capabilities and behaviors need to be considered at every scale of system design.  Often accidents that are initially attributed to the failure of a single individual and/or product are actually due to failures at multiple scales of a system.

This is recommended, non-technical reading for those with an interest in the background and philosophy behind human factors .