Mental mapping of a bathroom faucet (from 37 Signals)
By Eddie. Monday, 31. October 2005, 15:17:47
I think it's funny how simple, everyday things like doors and faucets are still designed poorly- which is what I really like to talk about on this page whenever I can.
(image from 37signals.com)
37 signals posted about this http://37signals.com/svn/archives2/bad_faucet_design.php faucet that, apart from having a strange sideways installation (pull towards you, push away from you), I believe it has an incorrect mapping of handle movement to desired water temperature. I've created an (crappy MS Paint) image showing a couple ways you can map single handle faucets. In my drawing the one on the bottom shows the more confusing way that the faucet uses in the 37 signals blog. I think the top way is more natural.
Of course, there is another mapping that I'm assuming here- it's the hot (red) and cold (blue). I'm assuming that the hot is on the right, and the cold is on the left. This is pretty standard- so I think I'm alright on this. But of course, I've seen that screwed up as well.
Look- if we can put a man on the moon, map the human genome, map the stars etc- I think we should be able to create an intuitive, easy to use sink design that doesn't require us to have to change our idea of how to use it. It's kinda simple. Hot water, cold water and amount of water- and most people are willing to forgo that last one in public restrooms since I would imagine the vast majority are just washing hands.
When you approach a sink, I imagine you have little desire to think about "ok.. ummm how do I use THIS sink? Lets see, turn right for hot, or right for cold?" No- you are busy making sure you look good in the mirror or casually glance down and instinctively turn the handle one way or the other depending on how your mind thinks.
(image from 37signals.com)37 signals posted about this http://37signals.com/svn/archives2/bad_faucet_design.php faucet that, apart from having a strange sideways installation (pull towards you, push away from you), I believe it has an incorrect mapping of handle movement to desired water temperature. I've created an (crappy MS Paint) image showing a couple ways you can map single handle faucets. In my drawing the one on the bottom shows the more confusing way that the faucet uses in the 37 signals blog. I think the top way is more natural.
Of course, there is another mapping that I'm assuming here- it's the hot (red) and cold (blue). I'm assuming that the hot is on the right, and the cold is on the left. This is pretty standard- so I think I'm alright on this. But of course, I've seen that screwed up as well.
Look- if we can put a man on the moon, map the human genome, map the stars etc- I think we should be able to create an intuitive, easy to use sink design that doesn't require us to have to change our idea of how to use it. It's kinda simple. Hot water, cold water and amount of water- and most people are willing to forgo that last one in public restrooms since I would imagine the vast majority are just washing hands.
When you approach a sink, I imagine you have little desire to think about "ok.. ummm how do I use THIS sink? Lets see, turn right for hot, or right for cold?" No- you are busy making sure you look good in the mirror or casually glance down and instinctively turn the handle one way or the other depending on how your mind thinks.
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