Observe the 02 HP Light Magenta Inkjet Cartridge. Look how it curves along the sides, sloping inward and upward, yelling out “grasp me here.”
According to Donald A. Norman’s classic design book The Design of Everyday Things the 02 HP inkjet cartridge is designed very well.
Norman talks about Natural Design in his book, pointing out that a well designed object will have an intuitive interface, where the shape or size or orientation of an object will give clues to its use. In the case of the HP cartridge, the sloping shape of the cartridge indicates which end to grasp. It is only natural to firmly grip the cartridge by it’s slender side.
Natural Design is not enough however: the narrower side of the cartridge only tells you which side to grasp, it does not tell you the correct indication of up or down.
Incorrect orientation of Inkjet Cartridge.
Correct orientation of Inkjet Cartridge.
In addition to Natural Design, a second principle of Mapping is required to show the user how to install the cartridge.
There are three visible indicators for this cartridge:
- The pink top plate indicates the color of ink inside.
- The number 02 shows the type of cartridge you are holding (the Hp Photosmart D7360 has instructions inside the cover that show compatibility only with 02 cartridges.)
- The last indicator is the diamond shape on the cartridge that reaffirms the user that this is indeed the Light Magenta Cartridge. Perhaps the diamond adds confidence to the user in dim lighting conditions or for users that are colorblind.
The mapping of the cartridge corresponds to the mapping of the inkjet cartridge slots in the printer.
The cartridge slots are labeled with colors and symbols corresponding to the correct cartridge. This is natural mapping and almost eliminates the possibility of putting the wrong cartridge in the wrong slot.
The mapping is so natural in fact that reading is not required for installation. Of course installation instructions are included, but they are highly redundant, and only show the action of the gray cage locking down on the cartridge.
The last important indicator that the installation has gone correctly is for there to be appropriate feedback.
Norman talks about the need for feedback so that the user knows that what they are doing is working or is completed successfully. Norman points out that some telephone systems in an attempt to modernize have hidden traditional feedback signals such as the Hold light. Just like how a telephone should have a flashing Hold light to indicate that a call has been successfully put on hold, the HP printer must signal that the ink has been correctly installed.
The HP Printer has two visual indicators for feedback:
- The gray cage that closes over the ink cartridge snaps into place or otherwise flip backs up with a spring. By snapping the cage down firmly, the user can feel the ink being inserted properly.
- A second indicator appears when the lid of the printer is closed and an LCD announces that a certified HP cartridge has been installed correctly.
The design principles behind the 02 HP Inkjet Cartridge follow Norman’s design principles regarding Norman’s study of the psychology of how people interact with everyday things. Using appropriate Natural Design, Mapping and Feedback; the installation of HP Inkjet Cartridges is nearly foolproof… even without the manual.
-Kirk
