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I recently designed a laboratory and, inspired by having read Donald Norman's anecdote, tried to have the contractors match the switch layout to the position of
by msutherl 13y ago
I recently designed a laboratory and, inspired by having read Donald Norman's anecdote, tried to have the contractors match the switch layout to the position of lights on the ceiling. The result was an extremely ugly array of 2x3 separate panels that are mapped properly, but in the reverse order of what you would expect. I am now always turning on the light at the end of the lab when I want the one that is above me. I'm not sure it's any better than a linear array.
So much for that.
- lstamour 13y agoWas it more horizontally laid out or not? The original goal was to orient the switches so that, somewhat horizontally mapped to the same coordinates, you would see a clear marking of where you are and be able to turn on lights "in front" of you or "behind you". So if your finger started from the "You are here" dot, flipping the switch closest to it would turn on the light nearest you. Alternatively, perhaps you could put a symbol or distinguishing feature on the light switch you hit most often to indicate that it's not the one you want. E.g. a window, room feature, or label the door?
- msutherl 13y agoNo, they are vertical. An horizontal layout was not an option in this case. Not a bad idea to include labels – thanks for that!