A killer user experience isn't confined to our screens. It's everywhere, from urban planning to the gadgets in our kitchens.
If something works seamlessly, you can bet there's been some user testing behind the scenes.
Let's explore three examples of well-thought-through UX designs that I recently found.
An enhanced coffee experience
Let's start this article the way we start our day— with coffee!
I've been a fan of coffee capsule systems for some time now.
They're the perfect solution for when you only need a single cup and don't want the hassle of brewing a whole pot that might go to waste or need to be reheated.
Unfortunately, I’ve often struggled to get the right amount of water for my single cup of coffee. I had to turn a lever to the right and then push it back again every time I thought I was done.
In the new design, however, they've made it much easier by adding clear markings on the machine and indicating the number of lines required on the capsule for each type of coffee.
For example, I now move the lever to two lines for an espresso and ten lines for an Americano.
With the introduction of this water level indicator on both the machine and the capsules, the process is now crystal clear. A simple but effective solution.
Recommended UX upgrade
My coffee machine is not perfect.
As the water reservoir is on the back of the machine, I often don't see that there's not enough water. Instead of a simple indicator, the machine opts for a constant blinking, which leaves me puzzled for a while. (And, remember, this is before I have had my coffee).
Adding a small water symbol with its own light would solve this problem.
Tailgating dots
We've all been there — cruising along at the speed limit, perhaps even a little faster, only to find the driver behind close enough to see the whites of their eyes in your rearview mirror. Ah, the classic tailgater.
Despite numerous campaigns attempting to stop this behaviour, the reality, as Don Norman wrote in The Design of Everyday Things, is that we must accept human behaviour as it is, not as we wish it to be.
Unfortunately, some drivers, oblivious to the risks they pose, continue their tailgating habits.
That’s why the Minnesota Departments of Public Safety and Transportation decided to try a different route (pun intended).
They introduced a visual solution by painting white dots on the road and placing signs instructing drivers to keep at least two dots between them and the car ahead.
This concept, known as nudging, uses subtle changes in the presentation of the environment to influence people’s behaviour.
And influence it did! Project results indicated an overall increase in following distances by 14.1 feet.
Impressively, in nearby areas, distances surged even more—one mile into the project, a 22.9-foot increase, and one mile after, a 12.9-foot increase.
Traffic speeds also eased, dropping from 58.6 mph to 57.9 mph. The speed limit was 55 mph, but hey, it’s still a win.
Smart air fryers
Gone are the days of splashing out on a Ferrari during a mid-life crisis – now it's all about air fryers.
These compact kitchen appliances, which use hot air to fry food with little or no oil, are everywhere.
You can barely scroll through social media without seeing influencers sharing yet another must-try recipe.
But it's not just about the trendy recipes. Air fryers are getting smarter too. Many now have dual baskets and a sync option, so you can cook two different dishes at the same time, while ensuring they finish together.
If your veggie burger takes 15 minutes and your broccoli just 10, simply set the temperature and time for each, and the fryer does the rest.
This easy-to-use solution eliminates the need to calculate cooking times or worry about one part of your meal cooling while the other finishes.
The joy of simple design solutions
From the streets to our kitchens, these user-centred designs show us that sometimes brilliance lies in simplicity.
Experiencing these design solutions brought a bit of joy into my days – I hope they do the same for you.
