In a way to avoid talking about Dad for a moment, I'd just like to share my thoughts on the poor design of the elevator buttons in the hospital. First of all, the placement of the floor number/directions is inconsistent. Usually the number is on the left but sometimes it's on the right. What I found totally perplexing is that the emergency bell button is exactly the same as all the other buttons, it's not red or anything. And to the left of it, is a picture of a bell and the word 'PUSH' above it, and to the right, the symbol for closing the elevator doors. Would you really be amazed how many times in a day people push the 'emergency' button thinking it's the close door button?
Okay elevator button designers, here's a simple solution to this design flaw: First, use a red button for the emergency button. Put the bell symbol on the button rather then to the left of it. And delete the word 'push.' If someone doesn't know that they need to push buttons in an elevator, well then, let them be stuck until they figure it out.
Another option, is to do all the elements above and move the button below the other function buttons so that it stands out on its own. It's really that simple.
And this end's today's lesson on good and bad design.
Posted by robdesign at April 7, 2004 05:57 PMRob's dad died this morning in Charleston, WV. A long and difficult illness came to a quiet gentle ending. Rob's mom.
Posted by: binnibielerR at April 8, 2004 02:09 PM