5.4 Aesthetics Aesthetic means looking.’ For a car this might mean smooth and glossy, or for a house ‘good brick rugged and rough. Of course, different people have different ideas about what looks good, which is why there are often many different designs of the same thing. (Eg Tap handles) Designing something to be aesthetic is more an art than a science, but there are a few things worth remembering about appearance. (Usually either hide internals, have functional details only, or neat throughout) Clean and tidy. Stick with the one style for object. (Colour, material, roundedness, proportions, labelling) For many products, specialists such as industrial designers and artists are used to ensure the product For many consumer goods this aspect may decide the sale. Careful study is ‘right’. done even for something like choosing the right colours. Don’t forget, the chosen colour may effect materials, paints, finishes, plastics, packaging design etc, so you can’t just change your mind later on. 5.6 Ergonomic Checklist The following questions may prompt a machine designer where an operator is involved. It is assumed that safety issues have been dealt with already. 1. What does the person have to do - exactly? 2. Does the person need to see a lot? Picture: Look directly or by a window, mirror, video monitor. Screens: Watch a computer screen, message display. Indicators: analogue or digital, lights, symbols, words. 3. Does the operator need more information? Listen directly or by microphone, audible indicators Feel: Force, vibration, movement, acceleration, Other: Smell, temperature, 4. What is the mental side of the job like? Decisions: Number of factors, calculation, estimation. Speed: Response time. 5. What does the operator do to control it? Keyboard, mouse, touch-sensitive, switches, knobs. Fingers: Levers, handwheels, cranks Foot pedals, voice activated, complex movements 6. Are the controls arranged logically and work the normal way? 7. that all the above processes can be done by all operators. Ensure the dimensions, forces and other measurements are within the user’s capabilities. Check: Population: Who will use it? Do you need to fit average, most (say 95%) or all users? Cold weather clothing, protective shoes, illiterate. Special cases:
5.4 Aesthetics Aesthetic means ‘good looking.’ For a car this might mean smooth and glossy, or for a house brick rugged and rough. Of course, different people have different ideas about what looks good, which is why there are often many different designs of the same thing. (Eg Tap handles) Designing something to be aesthetic is more an art than a science, but there are a few things worth remembering about appearance. Clean and tidy. (Usually either hide internals, have functional details only, or neat throughout) Stick with the one style for object. (Colour, material, roundedness, proportions, labelling) For many products, specialists such as industrial designers and artists are used to ensure the product ‘right’. For many consumer goods this aspect may decide the sale. Careful study is done even for something like choosing the right colours. Don’t forget, the chosen colour may effect materials, paints, finishes, plastics, packaging design etc, so you can’t just change your mind later on. 5.6 Ergonomic Checklist The following questions may prompt a machine designer where an operator is involved. It is assumed that safety issues have been dealt with already. 1. What does the person have to do - exactly? 2. Does the person need to see a lot? Picture: Look directly or by a window, mirror, video monitor. Screens: Watch a computer screen, message display. Indicators: analogue or digital, lights, symbols, words. 3. Does the operator need more information? Listen directly or by microphone, audible indicators Feel: Force, vibration, movement, acceleration, Other: Smell, temperature, 4. What is the mental side of the job like? Decisions: Number of factors, calculation, estimation. Speed: Response time. 5. What does the operator do to control it? Fingers: Keyboard, mouse, touch-sensitive, switches, knobs. Levers, handwheels, cranks Foot pedals, voice activated, complex movements 6. Are the controls arranged logically and work the normal way? 7. that all the above processes can be done by all operators. Ensure the dimensions, forces and other measurements are within the user’s capabilities. Check: Population: Who will use it? Do you need to fit average, most (say 95%) or all users? Special cases: Cold weather clothing, protective shoes, illiterate.