Bad Designs

We have bag full of products, which we use almost daily, but are badly designed. Here are few examples:

1. Mixer Lid

While operating the mixture the snaps as locking device are not sufficient enough to hold the lid of mixer jar. It needs an external force for keeping it on the jar. This keeps the operator engaged unnecessarily. Even though its not required to hold it in position and a separate jar is provided for this purpose, due to the requirement the user uses in his own way.


2. Console Indicator in Pulsar

The dashboard consol show a blinking light as an indication when left or right indicator is on. But it doesn’t provide which indicator is on as the arrow provided without any separation. The two arrows have a common light. So when the indicator is turned on this light is lit. What it conveys could be more suggestive by lighting only one-half. The user can get the feedback by seeing the actual knob or by seeing the actual light. But when the console is provided which is located in such a way he get to see all the information, this could be enhanced more.


3. ATM - Swallowing of cards

One feels insecure if the card is swallowed by the machine. On contrary user feels in control with swapping action since he still holds it than loosing it altogether. Swallowing is rather a systems requirement than a users’ preferred option. Moreover, if case of system failure, the card gets stuck inside and the user is frustrated in such scenarios. Users especially in rush hours forget to get card back, which puts them in difficult positions. The next person may take advantage of his position which could have been avoided.


4. Door Handle of Hyderabad Buses

The handle at the door of entrance of Hyderabad city buses are hidden inside making it difficult for the users to find the location. It should be more promptly seen and accessible. Most of the passengers especially in rush hours and in Indian scenario run and catch the bus.


And there are plenty of more such products, coming out of our daily lives and we being ignorant fools, continue using them. Need of the hour is, good design to facilitate usable products for the users.

Arpit.