Gordon Olson, CEO of Torii Industries, joins Timothy Keirnan for a discussion about a new design of tank-less water heater. Tank-less water heaters remove the need for a large water tank to be heated 24 hours a day for occasional hot water use. Besides being inefficient use of energy, traditional tank water heaters can fail catastrophically, and provide large amounts of landfill waste after their useful life is over. The Torii solution will replace an old centralized water heater with a tank-less model that uses a carbon foam inside the pipes of the unit to heat water very quickly & efficiently for use on demand.  This design does not expose metallic components to the hot water that catalyzes oxidation and subsequent wear. Sensors and software will monitor the components and facilitate component replacement before any failures occur. You can visit Torii Industries at https://toriiway.com/

Design Critique: Products for People

DC153 Interview: Gordon Olson on Green Water Heater Design

Dr. Laura Bix from the Michigan State University School of Packaging returns to the show! Her latest project was researching the packaging of medical supplies used by EMTs in the field as they stabilize patients and transport them to the hospital in the ambulance. Dr. Bix describes how most medical supplies are normally packaged for the highly controlled Operating Room environment and how they might not work as well in the field and in ambulances. From initial investigation ideas, to recording ambulance environments on closed tracks, to constructing an ambulance simulator usability lab for testing the opening of packaging with EMTs under repeatable conditions, Dr. Bix walks us through all the phases of the project. Here is an article on Dr. Bix's work at the school, including the study we talked about in this episode (I used two great photos from this article in this blog post, thank you MSU!): https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/packaging-the-industry-no-one-thinks-about-but-saves-lives Visit the MSU School of Packaging website. Even more links: https://www.facebook.com/MSUPackaging https://www.linkedin.com/company/msupackaging/ https://www.instagram.com/msupackaging/ https://www.instagram.com/msucoppac

DC152 Interview: Medical Packaging Design with Dr. Laura Bix

Tim Keirnan interviews author David Loehr and designer Greg Swenson about the new memoir That's How Strong My Love Is: From Rock and Roll to James Dean. The memoir is an insider's perspective of rock and roll history, James Dean legacy, fashion, pop culture, and the counterculture of the 1960s, 70s, and 80s from New York to LA. This book is unique in that David, the world's foremost archivist of James Dean's remarkable life and career, saved so many artifacts from his own interesting life experiences to document them, including ticket stubs, posters, autographed photos, letters, post cards, clothing from various periods, photos, badges, pins, stage designs, newspaper clippings, and more. Greg worked with David to design the presentation of the memoir text and the appropriate artifact photos and scans, plus the cover. David's memoir is on sale at the following places: The James Dean Gallery (jamesdeangallery.com) Ebay.com (https://www.ebay.com/itm/265176747370?hash=item3dbdc40d6a:g:MMMAAOSw~XhgsUW0) Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/Thats-How-Strong-Love-Rock-n-Roll/dp/0578826151/ref=sr_1_1?crid=XH1Q1Z5PUE1D&dchild=1&keywords=that%27s+how+strong+my+love+is+book&qid=1627243483&sprefix=that%27s+how+strong+my+love+is%2Caps%2C200&sr=8-1) Greg's book, "Recipes for Rebels", is another book design triumph and is available at the following places: The James Dean Gallery (jamesdeangallery.com) Recipes For Rebels site (https://www.recipes4rebels.com/?product=recipes-for-rebels-cookbook) Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/Recipes-Rebels-kitchen-James-Dean/dp/0578165139/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1627243823&sr=8-2) The incredibly good 8 minute documentary "Lenny's Shirts" on Lenny Prussack's fashion design career is at https://youtu.be/eAuNU8npRv0 Lenny's shirts are available at his Etsy store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/LennyShirts

DC151 Interview: Memoir Design with David Loehr and Greg Swenson

This is a solo episode in which I critique the design of Abbott's BinaxNow Covid-19 Antigen Self Test. This test is available in retail stores (in the USA a pack of two is, at this time, about $20). It tests for proteins one's body makes when fighting a Covid-19 infection, the symptoms of which not everyone experiences in the same way. The use of rapid antigen self tests could revolutionize public health for COVID and beyond. Imagine getting ready to visit someone you love whose health is compromised in some way that makes them more risky to something that is going around your area. A rapid self-test can put the mind at ease, especially for symptoms that allergies can mimic. Use of rapid self tests can protect coworkers, family, friends, etc., because if enough people use them during a time of an outbreak, those who may test positive for being infectious can self-isolate and prevent the spread while they contact their doctor to get help if needed. The BinaxNow test is as easy to use as advertised. The only improvements needed in my experience are a lower price per unit and less daunting technical communication. Perhaps for regulatory reasons, the BinaxNow instructions have a LOT of text on a double sided poster. But the instructions worked for me in the first use, so criticizing the instructions might be unfair. As promised in the episode, here are some excellent links about the advantages of cheap, easy to use rapid antigen self tests from the two experts discussed in the episode: Dr. Michael Mina's radio interview about rapid self-tests: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1XTc29ZGtM Dr. Mina's article from December 2020 about rapid self tests' ability to stop Covid-19 spread quickly: https://time.com/5912705/covid-19-stop-spread-christmas/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=editorial&utm_term=ideas_covid-19&linkId=104733190 Dr. Robert Epstein's Carrier Separation Plan to use rapid self tests to stop the spread of any pathogen in a population: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.640009/full A good paper on the importance of testing frequency and fast results for reducing an infectious disease: https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/7/1/eabd5393?utm_campaign=SciMag&utm_source=JHubbard&utm_medium=Twitter The development of a rapid saliva test is on the way: https://theshillongtimes.com/2021/05/21/new-rapid-antigen-test-can-detect-covid-in-saliva-accurately/ Another saliva test for Covid-19! https://www.pleasantonweekly.com/print/story/2021/05/14/livermore-company-develops-first-rapid-saliva-covid-19-test

DC150 Critique: BinaxNow COVID Self Test

Eric Penn rejoins Tim Keirnan on the show for a critique of Garmin dash cameras. And on this show you know we bought them with our own money, no review units or other favors from the manufacturer. The guys discuss the following models: * nuviCam LMTHD that combines a GPS with a dash cam * Garmin 35 * Garmin 46 * Garmin Mini In both Eric's and Tim's critiques, Garmin customer support was a big positive to the customer experience. The products were useful and usable, without any outstanding problems. When Tim's nuviCam broke after only two years, Garmin customer support worked diligently to help him fix it. Even though it could not be fixed, having a company sincerely try to help solve a problem salvages a relationship and Tim would consider another Garmin purchase because the customer service. Our previous episode with customer service professional expert Charlotte Purvis rings true here. In Eric's case, his 35 broke under the warranty period and Garmin quickly replaced it. No fuss, no muss. Eric discusses using the Garmin 46 and Garmin Mini together to record both front and rear views in his FiestaST. Eric also talks about his use of Garmin products for cycling.

DC149 Critique: Garmin Dash Cameras

Charlotte Purvis joins Timothy Keirnan for a discussion about ensuring good user experience with customer service professionals. When we call an organization for help with a product or service, these people are on the front line of customer interaction. How well they assist us will impact our perceptions of a product and the brand of the company that sold it. Charlotte's new book is The Customer Communication Formula: How to Communicate with your Customers and Boost your Customer Service Brand. She talks with Tim for 40 minutes about how she created her customer communication formula, how she coaches customer service professionals in call centers, and the importance of having a professional physical environment for people to do their best work in the office or at home. You can find Charlotte at her website www.charlottepurvis.com

DC148 Interview: Charlotte Purvis on The Customer Communication Formula

The Librem 5 is Purism's re-envisioning what a smartphone could be and should be. It runs on Purism's own Linux distribution PureOS, which is certified by the Free Software Foundation to be free of non-transparent, proprietary code such as many commercial products use. The "Evergreen" batch of Librem 5 phones is the first official production model, and possesses unique qualities not found in most smart phones: * Hardware switches to turn on/off camera, microphone, WiFi, Bluetooth, and cellular connection. * Easily removeable battery for easy replacement. * Easy access to replace the cellular modem and the WiFi/Bluetooth circuitry * Updates to the PureOS operating system for the long term, not just a few years. * Connection via USB-C to an external monitor. * Does not inherently track customers' usage of the phone and apps. As of December 2020, this "Evergreen" batch of phones does not have a sleep function, so battery life is very short. The microphone of this particular Librem 5 is described as sounding "muffled" and "under water" compared to other smart phones. Purism promises continuous improvements to both the phone's operating system and the Linux kernel that interacts with this promising hardware. At this time, the phone is not usable as a "daily driver". Useful links about the Librem 5 including video tours: https://puri.sm/products/librem-5/ https://puri.sm/posts/why-fsf-endorsing-pureos-matters/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaRf8JBL7tE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aQp3twe7D4

DC147 Purism Librem 5 Smartphone Hardware Impressions

Susan Weinschenk joins Tim Keirnan to discuss the second edition of her wonderfully useful and usable book 100 Things Every Designer Should Know About People. First published in 2011, 100 Things... has helped many kinds of professionals and students learn to be better designers. https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/100-things-every/9780136746959/ Visit Susan's company at https://theteamw.com/ Susan has been on the show multiple times over our 15 years and you may enjoy hearing these older episodes with her: http://www.designcritique.net/podcasts/interview-neuro-web-design-with-dr-susan-weinschenk/ http://www.designcritique.net/podcasts/6th-anniversary-episode-with-dr-susan-weinschenk-on-100-things-every-designer-needs-to-know-about-people/ http://www.designcritique.net/podcasts/panel-the-state-of-the-internet-user-experience-in-2011/

DC146 Susan Weinschenk on 100 Things Every Designer Needs To Know About People

We're 15 years old! Tim Keirnan is joined by show co-founder Tom Brinck plus UX legend Stephanie Rosenbaum for a celebration of the show's 15th anniversary. From July 2005 to October 2020, we've kept going when other shows faded away. Where did the time go? But time discussing product and service design is always well spent. Tom and Stephanie continue our discussion series on the buzzwordification of UX--the good and the bad of our terminology becoming popular in the past five years--and memories from 15 years of doing the show. Thanks everyone who listened, wrote, and guested on the show. We're proud of 15 years of commercial-free discussions on design. Tim and Tom  

DC145 15th Anniversary Episode with Two Special Guests

This is a short episode on the dark pattern of not allowing a customer to leave a service without unnecessary effort. The Sunday Times website does not allow users to cancel their digital subscription on the site. It took a 15 minus chat online to accomplish what should take one minute and a couple clicks. Hear all about it and think about what decisions like this mean to an organization hell-bent on annoying customers. The Dark Patterns website referred to in this episode is at https://darkpatterns.org They do a really good job writing about and classifying  dark patterns. Thank-you, Harry Brignull and Alexander Darlington. The Sunday Times article on the French philosopher Levy is at https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/bernard-henri-levy-interview-coronavirus-has-sent-the-world-into-psychotic-delirium-lz5sn8gnn

DC144 Sunday Times Website Dark Pattern

Kelly Goto, owner and principal of gotomedia and gotoresearch, joins Timothy Keirnan for a discussion about universal design and related topics. Dave M-R and Tim discussed Kelly's excellent 2018 article about professional terminology in episode 135 last year. Now she is on the show herself to cover a fun range of topics, including Universal Design, Inclusive Design, Accessibilty, Japanese design, and Designing for an aging population It's 45 minutes of serious discussion that doesn't take itself too seriously. Kelly provided the following links to continue the learning after you're done listening: https://www.gotoresearch.com/2020/02/27/the-era-of-adaptive-experiences-rethinking-universal-and-inclusive-design/ http://www.universaldesign.com/ (great story about Target in there -- it is a "design for all" store. http://www.inclusivedesigntoolkit.com/ https://www.service-design-network.org/ https://www.ageinplacetech.com/ ( a tech blog run by a friend / colleague of mine)

DC143 Interview: Kelly Goto on Universal Design and More

Larry Rusinsky returns to the show to help Tim critique the Bose QuietComfort 25 acoustic noise canceling headphones. The links referred to in the episode include: How Noise Canceling Headphones Work Comparison of the Bose QuietComfort 25 with the 35 Bose: Why Audiophiles Should Stop the Hate Bose Store Locator

DC142 Critique: Bose QuietComfort 25 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones

Chief Phillips of the Plymouth Township Fire Department has the mind of a firefighter and the heart of a User Experience designer. Join him and Tim Keirnan for a sequel to our pumper truck design episode, this time to discuss the design of our  township's new ladder truck. How does the purpose of a ladder truck differ from a pumper truck? What did the fire department learn from ordering and using the pumper truck that improved their design of the new ladder truck? How is the human machine interface (HMI) of the ladder truck made to be as easy as possible for firefighters, including controlling the ladder and hoses and foam generator? Our discussion lasts 60 minutes and covers a wide range of anecdotes, from the scenes of emergency incidents, to the design specification reviews, to the shop floor of the Pierce factory where our truck was built.

DC141 Interview: Ladder Fire Truck Design with Chief Dan Phillips

Tesla Model 3 owners Ryan Malcolm and Syed Ibrahim join Tim Keirnan for a thorough critique of their cars while Tim moderates this ad-free, in-depth discussion. We follow the show's Critique by Values model to learn how Ryan and Syed experienced each of the phases of product experience: Encounter Decision Purchase Initial Use Longitudinal Use This is not a review of the car as much as it is a conversation about people's transportation needs and how the Model 3 fit into their current lives. Of course, aspects of the car are discussed throughout. As usual, we leave no stone unturned in a detailed, people-centered discussion unhindered by commercials. You can find Ryan at his YouTube channel, which includes track day footage of his Model 3: https://www.youtube.com/user/Ryephile/featured You can find Syed at his website at: https://www.syedibrahim.me/

DC140 Critique: Tesla Model 3

Dr. Rebecca Grier joins Tim Keirnan for a wordcast episode about Fitts' Law and Fitts' List. Who was Paul Fitts and how did this legendary psychologist impact our design professions to this day? In a beautiful bit of synchronicity, Wired magazine published this excellent article about Fitts and Chapanis solving a design problem on the B-17 Flying Fortress during WWII.: https://www.wired.com/story/how-dumb-design-wwii-plane-led-macintosh/ Dr. Grier recommends the following links to use in our understanding of Fitts' work: https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/fitts-law-tracking-users-clicks https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/The-information-capacity-of-the-human-motor-system-Fitts/634c9fde5f1c411e4487658ac738dcf18d98ea8d https://fampeople.com/cat-paul-fitts https://psychology.wikia.org/wiki/Paul_Fitts https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10111-011-0188-1 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351978915006423 https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/wiley/paul-m-fitts-XSLBZF59k5 You can find Dr. Grier at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-grier-ux/

DC139 WordCast: Paul Fitts, his Law, and his List

Our show encourages usable designs for a better customer experience in products and services. Each episode is different, with the only constant being our demand that UX design make our lives better and provide long term value. If you care about design's impact on our modern quality of life, give us a listen. You will hear: * Critiques of products & services we've used thoroughly, * Interviews with people whose work or books we admire, and * Discussions of design methods we use in our own user experience research and design careers.

hubhopper

Design Critique: Products for People

hubhopper