Industrial Design

Chapter 9

Industrial Design is:

Service of creating & developing concepts and specifications that optimize the function, value, and appearance of products and systems for the mutual benefit of the user and manufacturer.

Work also includes:

User-centered ergonomics Improving manufacturing methods Client image considerations, including advertising and layout Standards setting & verification Normal professional responsibilities

Involved Professions
Marketing experts appeal, value Design engineers layout, improv. Biomedical engineers usefulness, Lots of people usability involved! Human factors experts - safety Manufacturing engineers - mfgability Service personnel complaints, ease Returns - complaints

Industrial Design Steps

Set usability goals
Provide quantitative basis for acceptance testing Objective or subjective Typically 50 goals, combination objective and subjective

Examples
Anesthetist will rate alarm control/reset controls as 5 or better on a scale of 1-7 Machine will be calibrated and ready to go in 30 seconds or less

Industrial Design Steps (ctd.)

Design user interface concepts
Develop conceptual model Develop user interface structure Define interaction style Develop screen template Develop hardware layout Develop a screenplay Develop a refined design Develop final design

Industrial Design Steps (ctd.)

Model the user interface
Build a prototype to evaluate dynamics of user interface Software, hardware, mockup

Test user interface

At start of development effort When prototype is developed When marketing claims may be displayed Conferences, office, lunchroom

Specifying the User Interface

Style guide Screen hierarchy map Screenplay Specification prototype Hardware layouts

Additional Industrial Design Considerations Consistency and simplicity Safety Environmental/ Organizational Considerations

Documentation

-Not only for Human Factors! Written to meet needs of various target populations Study capability and information needs of documentation users
Mental abilities Physical abilities Previous experience Understanding of general operation Special needs of environment

Attempt to avoid this!

Alarms and Signals

Purpose is to draw attention of operator 3 categories:
High priority: immediate response required
Red flashing light

Medium priority: prompt response required

Yellow flashing light

Low priority: awareness required

Steady yellow light

Audible signal when not in line of sight

Displays
Visual displays should clearly indicate system status Graphic displays should be used when perception of pattern of variation is important Numeric displays should be sued when quantitative accuracy is important Displays should be consistent

Interactive Control
System response times should be consistent with operational requirements Control-display relationships should be straightforward and explicit Menu selection for interactive controls

Feedback and Error Management/ Data Protection Present status, information, confirmation, and verification throughout the interaction Standby should be accompanied by WAIT message Feedback should be self-explanatory Easy methods of correcting errors

Think about:
Your limits in designing a new device, such as an anesthesia machine. Where would you need help?