The company is trying to decide whether to include a small (two-inch screen) TV set
and a switched electric outlet that can turn on a coffee maker or toaster.
Your job is (A) to recommend what to build, then (B) to design the control panel,
andfinally(C)tocertifythatitisactuallybothwhatcustomerswantandeasytouse.
State what you would do for the three parts of your job: A, B, and C. Explain how
you would go about validating and justifying your recommendations.
Draw a rough sketch of a control panel for the items in the indented list, with abrief
justification and analysis of the factors that went into the choice of design.
There are several things I looked for in the answer. (Figure 17.15 is an unac-
ceptable solution.) First, how well did the answer address the real needs of the
user? I expected my students to visit the homes of potential users to see how
their current devices were being used and to determine how the combined
multipurpose device would be used. Next, I evaluated whether all the controls
were usable and understandable, allowing all the desired functions to be oper-
Figure 17.15
Possible Solution to My Homework Assignment. Completely unacceptable. (Thanks to Bill Gaver
for devising and drawing this sample.)
The Psychopathology of Everyday Things 441