The Wall Oven’s split-folding door enables hot surfaces to mate and minimize reach-over length. This can reduce accidental burns and provide a surface at counter line for sliding out hot cookware.

graphically illustrates the past, current, and future states of each appliance. For instance, in the washing machine interface example shown here, the various steps of a heavy load sequence are revealed with demarkation of current status. Compared with current radial dial interfaces with lots of small text and confusing terminology, a pictographic display supported by simple, readable text can easily communicate a range of information—What can I do with this appliance? What is the appliance doing now? What is it going to do next? What did it just do? What must I do now? What did I just do? What must I do next?

Currently, the research generated in the scope of the GE Autonomy project is being used as guidelines and criteria for new product development and product updating across their brands.

Inclusive Utility and Safety

One of the major qualities of universal design is

Product forms inherently must express state and usage through their behavior and form to provide adequate feedback. In the medicine-bottle concept here, the squared form demonstrates that when the bottle is not securely closed, the corners will not align. In addition, the squared form fits the natural angles of the hand to provide better leverage for grasping and opening. (Designed by Mark Baskinger, May 2000.)

the visual language of product forms and how product forms are structured to embody and communicate information. Through visual form, language products can inform interaction, encourage behaviors, and shape user experience. In risky or potentially dangerous situations, product impact is amplified; designed artifacts must clarify and present information in easily accessible and intuitive ways. In certain devices, tools, and product systems, the need for simplicity and clarity is explicit. So why do we have so many products that fail us in this respect? As part of a study on packaging and poisoning for elders, I found that the current prescription medicine bottle is problematic for a lot of people beyond the elder population. Declining eyesight, low-light scenarios, and the frequency of taking multiple medications— common for many elders—greatly complicate an already risky scenario. There is a complete disconnect between the bottle form and the labeling system to encourage safe practice and compliance. Therefore, establishing hierarchies of information in many forms may empower elders (and us all) to index medications easily, store them appropriately, and so on.

Relying on pictures alone can be problematic as well. In the case of a medicine bottle, fire extinguisher, or other potentially life-implicating products, synergy must exist between physical form, graphic imaging, and textual communication. In scenarios where ailments like arthritis and glaucoma prevent people from using products appropriately, hazardous scenarios can arise. Whose fault is it when an elder takes the wrong dosage of medication, or when the bottle rolls out of the medicine cabinet, spilling pills down the drain? Where does responsibility lie when the grandkids get access to the pills that grandma stores on the kitchen table?

These are not issues associated only with aging; they relate to us all.

Inclusive Design for Kids