Not so Fancy Fan

            
       Now that spring has arrived, the fan in my living room will be constantly on to help circulate fresh air that comes through the open windows. However, there are many usability problems with this fan. This fan has two strings, one that turns on the lights and another that turns on the fan wings. Unfortunately, there is no way for the user to know which string controls which feature.

By having strings that look exactly the same, the fan controls lack signifiers. While there is a shorter and longer string, which are supposed to help the user understand what each string controls, users forget time after time which string controls what feature. The strings also look the same, not providing a way for the user to distinguish one string from another. One way to solve this usability signifier problem would be to make the strings two different colors. 

This fan system does not afford easy use to all of its users. Since the strings are relatively high, the shorter user may not be able to reach the strings in order to operate the fan. This fan does not afford a “universal design,” talked about by Norman in The Design of Everyday Things because handicap or shorter people would not be able to operate this system. 

Error is also bound to occur when using this fan. If a user wants to make the fan go faster, the user must pull on the fan string more than once. Since the fan takes time to begin to move quickly, the user assumes he or she did not turn the fan on, therefore making a slip by pulling the string multiple times while trying to turn on the fan. Since the user can not go back, the user must continue to pull the fan string until he or she gets the fan to the intended speed. 

Pretty Hot HotShot

       This HotShot is one of the best designed objects for creating drinks quickly without having to use microwaves. HotShots allow water to be heated quicker than most microwaves. Also, unlike the microwave, the HotShot has only two simple push buttons - "heat" and "dispense." There are many reasons why this HotShot is more usable than microwaves; however, there are also constraints.
       This HotShot affords signifiers that help make heating water easy. The first signifier that I would like to point out is the lip on the top of the HotShot. The tab on the lip signifies that the top section of the HotShot can be opened. Another signifier on the HotShot is the indent where a mug can be placed. This indent, which fits a mug perfectly, signifies a mug is what should be used with this device. Two other signifiers are the words and buttons that heat and dispense the water. By providing labels, users can easily understand what each button does. The red light that lights up when water is heating also signifies that contents are getting hot.
       One may think that from what I have said above, this HotShot couldn't be any better; unfortunately, I would have to disagree. While this HotShot does seem relatively usable, there are a few constraints placed on the HotShot that diminish its use. The first constraint is that only a certain size mug can be placed under the HotShot. Another negative constraint is that the user can not choose how hot his or her drink gets. Unfortunately, when interfaces become more simple, they do not afford many features that experts would like, and when interfaces become more complex, they do not allow unexperienced users to easily use the interface.