A Novel Lesson in (Truckloads of) Consequence

April 6, 2009

The consequences of human factors neglect in design naturally range in severity by system and environment (think nuclear power-plant meltdown vs. a customer not buying a blender on your website). This video from Failblog.org provides a memorable illustration of consequence… I’ll let you decide where on the continuum of disaster it should fall.

It may seem like common sense to say something went horribly wrong here, but we can narrow it down to at least one of the following areas of design oversight:

1)     Use-cases: Was it considered that trucks might find their way under the bridge?

2)     Messaging: Where signs/roadblocks/warnings/deterrents adequately aimed at trucks and tested for effectiveness?

3)     System Limitations/Standards: Did designers forget to measure the bridge height or take into account standards for underpass height?

4)     Builder Error: Was the height of the bridge misjudged or simply measured improperly?

Regardless, one would think after the string of failures observed at least #2 would be revisited in the short term.  So many flayed trucks, and for what I ask… for what.

Leave a Comment » | Bad design, Signage, Transportation | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Infinite User

Toilet Signs!

February 19, 2009

Good design sometimes shows up where you least expect it.

Guess I won't be knocking then.

I guess I won't be knocking then.

How many public restrooms have you tried to use, found locked, and weren’t sure if it was occupied or not? Check out this signage found at a random gas station restroom somewhere in the San Fernando Valley. It’s message, simple yet so helpful: both in explaining the locking convention and eliminating any meaningless interactions with the gas station clerk. (Though I admit I have no idea what “Mobil” means – it wasn’t a mobile bathroom – maybe it was the name of the genius who put the sign up)

This second example was found inside a porter-potty in the parking lot before a Giants football game in New Jersey. Dry and precise in its wording, it warned of a gruesome fate if the technology were to be pushed beyond its limits.

Terrifying.

Informative yet terrifying.

Okay, so at the time it seemed a bit out of context, rather than 10 people and a normal work week, the surroundings consisted of over 80,000 people and 5-10 hours of hard tailgating. So I kept my fingers crossed that the math was done correctly and there was enough of these in the vicinity to keep from any “unsanitary and overloaded” conditions.

All around helpful signage in this oh-so-important area of our lives.

13 Comments | Good design, Signage, Travels | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Infinite User

When it’s more than just Seeing the Sign

November 12, 2008

We see thousands of signs every day of different shapes, colors, sizes, and meanings. Good signs. Bad signs. Confusing signs. Below are two examples of signage on the stimulus-heavy Venice Beach Boardwalk in southern California.

Exhibit A:  A cash-strapped tourist stands confused after a familiar sign leads him only to a lovely selection of hats (that he doesn’t have the cash to buy anyways…).  Result: The store looses out on both the ATM transaction – assuming they actually have one – and a potential hat sale because of the poorly placed sign.

atmsigns

Exhibit B:  An honest sign that actually points to a real ATM, but our hero is no where to be found!  Result: The accurate sign leads to better business and happier tourists, as patrons surely will at least consider a massage or new pair of sunglasses after loading up at the ATM.

Conclusion:  Anywhere and everwhere, good design and placement of signs is invaluable.

Leave a Comment » | Bad design, Good design, Signage, Travels | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Infinite User

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