VIEW FROM
THE CHAIR
R ecently, I heard a radio programme where
someone described a new ‘smart’ refrigerator
that detected when its door had been left open,
and a synthetic voice reminded the user to close it. “If
it’s so smart, why doesn’t it close its own door!” was
the comment.
It’s true: a simple mechanical timer mechanism,
energised by the door being opened, could trigger a
spring to close the door after, say, 15 seconds. This
would be much cheaper to install than an electronic
version, would be more reliable, not need a power
supply, and be less intrusive. A simple adjustable timer, using rubber suckers,
was part of the mechanism for roller towel machines, to discourage excessive
use. If you still have access to one, take a look.
Many of the products that we buy have capabilities that
either we do not need or do not use, even though they may
have influenced our decision to purchase it in the first place.
We buy adjustable shelving, but never change it. We have
washing machines with 20 different possible cycles, but only
use two. My car came with cruise control, but I don’t use it.
When I was still a practicing designer, I organised design
requirements into four categories: essential, ideal, desirable
and optional. The ‘essential’ group covered those attributes
that must be present for the product to work, both in a
functional sense as well as in the interface with its users.
‘Ideal’ traits make a product more than just ‘good enough’.
They would offer something extra that the user would
Discovering
what we need
Like many areas of human endeavour, design
requires prioritising competing demands.
Colin Ledsome CEng FIED offers his way
appreciate in addition to making the product suited to its purpose. ‘Desirable’
things were extra features that would be good to have. They may be easy to
provide as part of the essential function of the product, or add-on parts which
the user might want. ‘Optional’ attributes could be included for a particular
customer group, but would not affect the main purpose.
Sometimes the attributes needed come as a surprise. For example, in
designing seats for a railway carriage or a passenger aircraft, one unexpected
essential is the need to easily replace one if it breaks, or if the space is
required for another purpose. This means that the seat must be able to fit into
the space available below the luggage racks and above the tops of other
seats, to be taken in and out of the cabin without removing other seats.
I still use these categories when planning something new, or in making a
complex decision. They help focus on the aspects that are important, and
help to avoid distractions. Priorities are clearer, showing where time should
be spent or research carried out. They are also useful in a team context for
communicating ideas. They help us discover what we really need.
Get Involved
If you would like to contribute to any discussions, write to:
Colin Ledsome
BEng MEng CEng FIMechE FIED MCMI FBIS MDS, Chair, at:
The Institution of Engineering Designers,
Courtleigh, Westbury Leigh, Westbury, Wiltshire BA13 3TA.
Or email: chair@ied.org.uk
4 www.ied.org.uk
Francois Poirier/stock.adobe.com
/www.ied.org.uk
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