Good Example - Automatic Soap Dispensers

What is the User Goal?

 

To get soap when they place their hands underneath the dispenser with often the intent to wash their hands.

How does the design help users in achieving their goals?

 

    Automatic soap dispensers are amazing at their purpose as demonstrated by how widespread and common they are. The hand motion soap dispensers use are especially poignant as it is the hand motion of asking for something/waiting for someone to drop something into your hand. This aids in the functionality, which combined with the industry standards, makes it easy to understand, recognize, and use. Even if there are some visual differences between automatic soap dispensers in different locations, they have a general and common design, which is further exacerbated by their context/placement near a faucet and/or sink. This increases recognizability and understanding of function.

    Being touchless is another major benefit; making it quick and easy to use, while being more hygienic; something that is even more important and desirable after the pandemic. User error is reduced as well, due to the dispenser giving only a certain amount of soap each time the hand goes under it. This ensures the user does not get more or less than enough soap, but gives user control for users who need more soap.

Bad Example - Automatic Hand Dryers

What is the User Goal?

 

To dry or have air blown on their hands when they place them underneath the hand dryer often due to having wet hands.

How does the design hinder users in achieving their goals?

 

Automatic hand dryers go hand in hand with automatic soap dispensers. However, automatic hand dryers seem to be less responsive and more frustrating compared to automatic soap dispensers. A key issue with automatic hand dryers tend to be that they often do not activate as quickly and easily as other automatic devices in our daily lives. This can cause user confusion and frustration. The dryer not instantly activating is a clarity issue as well. Some automatic hand dryers have users place both their hands through two circles to dry their hands inside of the dryer.

    This one is often more responsive, but goes slightly goes against the ease of use and increased hygiene aspect of automatic devices since hands may accidentally touch the sides of the dryer when moving them inside, upsetting some users. The motion of placing one’s hands in the dryer is additionally awkward and is not a common, everyday hand and arm movement for most people. Whether if it is a regular automatic hand dryer or one where you place your hands in the dryer, both of them increase visual, cognitive, and motor load through not working properly on the first try or requiring more effort to reach the user’s goal.