From the readings, when I came across the issues with door handling, it immediately reminded me of the doors at NYUAD, especially in D2. They’re supposed to be semi-automatic with sensors, but I often find myself having to pull them with all my strength just to get them to open. It’s incredibly frustrating, especially when I’m carrying something heavy or have my hands full. Struggling with these doors can be really annoying.
What really drives me crazy is that we live in a world that talks about inclusivity and accessibility, yet my own university isn’t fully disability-friendly. I can’t understand how a person in a wheelchair can access the dining halls when the doors require someone else to pull them open. Drawing from Don Norman’s ideas, I really connect with his emphasis on human-centered design to create better usability. He points out that “Engineers are trained to think logically,” which is something I’ve noticed over the years. However, I believe there’s been a shift in recent times.
As someone aspiring to be an engineer, I resonate with this statement. We often focus more on mathematical modeling rather than on accessibility and the psychological aspects of human behavior. Many engineering projects—like billboards and airport dashboards—do help by displaying information clearly, but they often overlook people with dyslexia. For example, using fonts like Sansa can make reading difficult for them.
Norman also talks about cognitive load, which refers to the mental effort required to use a device. In our fast-paced world, having a high cognitive load can be overwhelming. Take, for instance, a multifunctional printer with tons of buttons and features. If I have to remember multiple steps just to print a document, it can be exhausting. A better design would simplify the process, reducing the steps and making controls more intuitive. This aligns perfectly with Norman’s argument that good design should minimize cognitive load, letting users focus on their tasks instead of trying to figure out how to use the device.
Overall, this reading has been the most enlightening for me in the past four weeks.