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Ask HN: Experience Designing Things as Lefties?
As a leftie, every now and then, I'm reminded of how I perceive interactions differently. Sometimes, I'll come up with some novel design that feels "right" to me, and I'll present them to teammates and they'll realize it's completely mirrored.
I've made my peace long ago with how door handles, scissors, pens behave "wrong", or more specifically how UX is designed for the majority of users. But it does bother me when I create work and it's wrong.
What are your experiences designing things as a leftie and realizing it was off?
- m0llusk 7y agoRecently I have been getting into the pocketknife renaissance and it has been interesting how many issues come up related to handedness. I am right handed, but I carry my pocketknives on the left because my right side is overused already. Furthermore my right hand gets tired and cramped from work so that using my left hand when possible is a huge advantage. In my opinion these issues about handedness go beyond the issue of being a leftie or not into basic flexibility and assumptions that turn out to be wrong when closely examined.
- throwleft 7y agonot a designer, but as a leftie scissors are the worst, still can barely use them. Door handles and pens are ok. It's a right handed world and that's not going to change.
- stevekemp 7y agoLeft-handed scissors are worth buying, even if they're really just masking the problem. (You can buy scissors with the blades reversed, which coupled with better grips make things perfect.)
- AnimalMuppet 7y agoI have even heard of left-handed pens. They're shaped exactly the same as regular pens. The difference is that they contain faster-drying ink.
- thedevindevops 7y agoLeftie here (not a designer though) just wanted to say keep asking those questions and raising those alternative designs - it will maybe inspire your colleagues to consider wider viewpoints in their own designs.