How Bad UI Kills?

- During this week's lecture, prof Pandeliev showed an example of a tragedy caused by a bad UI design. That is the Airbus A320 case in 1992. Early today I found out that the aircraft case is not the only case that UI kills.

(The entire story, all the info and pictures I use in this blog post are all credited to the following blog: https://medium.com/tragic-design/how-bad-ux-killed-jenny-ef915419879e#.wnsiab6xh)

- In brief, the story talks about a little girl who suffered from severe cancer. One day three experienced nurses were confused by the software they were using. Then they made a serious mistake. They missed to give the little girl a crucial treatment she needed, so we lost her before the next morning.

Well, I guess some of you have the exactly same reaction now as I had back then. How on earth could they miss that treatment, if that is so critical? But soon after I saw some pictures I sort of found the answer.

(A screenshot of the software used by the nurses)

(Some other similar systems; also similar in complexity too)

- This is basically another tragedy caused by same kind of reason, with respect to the A320 case.

We all totally understand that, as technology has been developed rapidly, more and more info is to be displayed in use. But I also believe that there is always a way to avoid tragedy caused by this reason, instead of decreasing technology involved in our lives. At least, like the A320 case, there will always be a better UI design. Maybe in the UI it is better to hide non-urgent info, leave what is really important only. And also it could remind the professionals some possible critical movements.

- Once again, hope technology will always lead us to a better future, instead of a future with tragedy.

Getting Started: the Design on Our Hands

    - We see designs everywhere in our daily life, such as, on our own hands. Today, almost everyone uses a smartphone. So let's talk about Apple, one of the most competitive smartphone brands in the world.

The iPhone Family (the newest iPhone 7/7 Plus are not included)

iPhone 7/7 Plus: Released Sept 2016

    As an user of iPhone 4S, 6 and 7, I want to point out 2 changes in iPhone's model design throughout these years. One thing is good, and the other one is not really.

    - The good one is the position of the On/Off (or Sleep/Wake) button. 5S used to be the latest model that has the button on the top side instead of right side. That had been the design since the 1st generation of iPhone, but not the case anymore since iPhone 6. (Apple released iPhone SE in 2016 which is a replacement of 5S, so the button is of course on the top. It also has the exactly same dimensions with 5S)

iPhone 5S

iPhone SE: Released March, 2016

    By my real experience, 4S is small enough in a single hand, such that I can press the button easily by my index finger. I don't have my 4S on hand, so sorry I cannot provide a real life picture for reference, but I do can provide pictures for using an iPhone 6.

iPhone 4S

My iPhone 6 with thumb pressing the button (ignore how broken it is)

Hard to reach top with index finger

    If the button is still on the top side for a model as large as 6 (or larger, like all the plus models), it could be a hard time for the user to press it. Since the button is moved to the right side, the problem has been perfectly solved.

    - An "bad" design (at least to me), is that 3.5mm headphone jack disappears iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. That may due to the need of improving inner device structure design (i.e., it saves more space for other units such as the battery). Yet, I just cannot get used to the fact that I cannot charge my phone and listen to music via headphone at the same time. 

Would iPhone 6 be the last iPhone with 3.5mm?

iPhone 7: No more charging and listening together!

    - Eventually, what are cheered to be a good design may be seen normal soon, and what people complain about may later be got used to. Hope technology will change our lives in a good way, instead of change ourselves.