Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Love it or Leave it


"LOVE" used in automobile marketing.
The 'PreLoved" Volkswagen doesn't really look depressed but more anxious to be loved again

Do You See the Sign?

A sign is to be seen. I, 5'3 tall, can see seven(7) unrepeated signs in the above picture while I am standing in this lavatory on a US Airways plane.

However, if I bend down at least 45 degree, I saw another squarish sign, warning what can be and can not be thrown in the trash bin.

Let's imagine our experience of taking a lavatory break on an airplane and possible activity routine there. We either want to quickly finish our job (sitting on the toilet facing towards the door or standing against the door) and wash up your hand or refresh yourself by toothbrushing, face washing or doing makingup using the mirror.

Chances are if you are not observant enough, the sign wouldn't be seen even when you are sitting on the toilet seat. Wouldn't agree?

Then, my question is: the sign is designed for whom to see?
for Kids, you may say, of age ranging 1-7 whose height may fulfill the requirement to see the sign. I may buy your answer. However, in real life, we observe that kids of 1-7 are normally under parents' companion to take the lavatory break and they normally do what an adult guides them to do.
If my reason stands, shouldn't this sign be designed mainly for users of teens or older? Thus, the human factor issues for the sign design should be reconsidered.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Left or Right?

If you take a close look at the picture taken at Phoenix Skyharbor airport, US, the freewalk way on the left side of the escalator, people habitually walk on the right side. However, the sign hanging down from the ceiling is clearly warns/guides people to 'Walk On Left, Stand On Right", which is aganist people's daily behavior routine/habit. Even just passing the warning sign, people still naturally Walk On the Right (as seen on the picture). If you have ever experienced this escalator, you will probably agree with me that when you do walk on the left, it is awkwardly user unfriendly to have someone pass by on the right. To make the experience worse is when the person is pulling a luggage.

Update: on my recent trip to Japan, surprisingly I found that the sign guides customers 'Walk on Right, Stand on Left'. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to take a picture of the sign.

Update:
My friend, Dr. Hana Smith, gives me the following helpful and insight explanation.
I have to say, it does make sense! But when you are near airport next time, try it out and tell me which way you feel more pleasurable/comfortable, i.e. "walk on left, stand on right", or "walk on right, stand on left".

" The 'Walk On Left, Stand on Right' refers strictly to the escalator path, and follows the same convention freeways and interstates follow. Except instead of 'slower traffic keep right', it is 'standing persons keep right'. Either way, faster or moving traffic pass in the left lane of the highway (cars)or walking on the left side of the escalator (people). "