Common Design Improvements

Social Networking Framework (SNF)

2008-07-13T14:40:00.000-07:00

Social networking, is one of the new buzz word in the town. Linking back to chaupals and tribal dances, we can find social networking in a different form that it is popular now.

Many common forms of social networking is making friends, making business partners; even any pettiest act of give and take is a form of social networking.

Any of these known and unknown forms work on a basic framework on top of which we can explain any kind of human or non-human relationship.

Any effective social networking framework (snf) works on these basic postulates :
1. Profile: Profiling of an entity(user/group) on various dimensions like profession, demography, choices etc.
2. Connect: Connecting the entity based upon different profile dimensions. e.g., meeting people in local bar, school, community, etc.
3. Collaborate: Communication/Interaction/Collaboration among entities to get the value addition. eg : friends, partners, etc.

we can apply the same framework to any type of entity, in our case each person being an entity.

Door Design

2008-06-29T06:30:00.000-07:00

Door handle design, isn't that very obvious, but, I still don't know which way my cafetaria door opens.

Door design has been discussed infinite time, but still I feel there is a need to do it infinite plus one more time. I am specifically targetting the doors of common entrances, i.e., with high usage and infrequent locking requirements.Like any other well designed thing, a door handle has a very sygnificant role in guiding the user actions. A well designed door eliminates/reduces any use of guiding texts.

Typically there are 2 kinds of door based on the way it opens:

1> Push door

2> Pull door

There are multiple factors involved in deciding the type of door. The most common factors are :

1> Location : (e.g., Entry Only, Exit Only, Entry/Exit doors, Hospital doors, Restaurant doors, etc)

2> Usage : ( Service doors, High usage public entrances ,etc)

3> Category of users: ( different types of challenged people)

For example, let's consider the following scenario ( depicted in the picture)

It's an entrance only door of a house. All the entrance doors should be push doors;

The reasons are :

1> Push doors are easier to open,

2> Easier, if the user is carrying a lot of stuff.

3> Push doors opens inside, hence not blocking the common passage.

In the image you can see that a pull handle is provided, confusing the user whether to pull or push.The pull handle suggests that the door should open by pulling the handle.

Different types of push doors could be

1> For entrances :

2> For exits :

Pull doors are found in various types, the basic feature is the pull handle which is to be held and pulled to open the door.

There are funky door handles available in the market to suit the aesthetics of the ambience.

So, next time you find difficulty opening a door, it's not your fault, it's the designers fault.

References:

1> Design of everyday things : by Donald A. Norman.

Traffic Lights

2008-06-25T07:35:00.000-07:00

Scenario:

1> The above picture depicts that the driver is going along the yellow dark arrow and is facing the traffic light which is glowing red signal.

2> He intends to go along the thinner yellow arrow.

Prob:

1> At many traffic light signals, its allowed to go towards left not involving major turn, without any signal controlling it.

2> He is seeing RED ( no green arrow is glowing).

Result:

He is confused whether to keep on going left or stop.

Solution:

Instead of having one RED signal controlling all direction, we should have each arrow glow RED/GREEN/ORANGE, depending on signal.