GOOD AND BAD DESIGN EXERCISE
I found that our cars’ radios have the next track buttons on different sides: left and right. Since i use this function a lot, i came across a problem that i find very uncomfortable
Car radio example
The bad design ( for me at least) – the radio with the next function on the left hand side:
I found this very hard to use since it is quite far to reach and distracting from driving.
The good design -the radio with same button on the right bottom corner:
Much easier to use and closer to reach. Very handy compared to the other one.
Both radios have very small buttons which are hard to find and see while in motion, so i would change/improve the overall look of the front panels.
Next example: the velcro vs lace children’s shoes
Bad design Good design
A nightmare for many busy mums are the shoelaces. It is an additional job for them as the children are not able to tie their shoes by themselves. So the velcro shoes are a 100% win here as are faster and easier to put on. Not mentioning the children, even very small ones can do this independently while mum is doing something else instead.
nciuxlily.wordpress.com 
Agree with the car radio – very annoying
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Big time, we had to switch the radios so i could reach for that button.
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I totally agree with the velcro childrens shoes. Some children are still learning to tie their laces at 12 years of age!!
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That’s so true. My 8 years old can not tie laces. And what if she has to do this in school, who would help her – the teacher? There are 30 children in class…
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Maybe the car radio is like that to fit better other cars that has the driver on the left hand side.
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I thought about this but i found that most of them have that button far left. Not many handy designs out there!? By me, i would totally redesign the front panel of a car radio.
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Hi Lilia,
I agree about the velcro.
But it also has it’s downside. If you have a lot of velcro items, shoes, bags, coats and a lot of felt/wool items – beware everything getting stuck together!
Bill
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You’re right, Bill. You have to be careful with them, especially when washing together with other stuff.
Thanks for looking at my examples.
Lilia
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I have to check the velcro shoes for my kids 🙂
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Velcro works for me, give it a try to see the difference.
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As I don’t drive, I never even paid any attention to a car radio design! But I can see how it can easily be annoying for drivers.
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Bad user’s experience for me indeed. Low mark for our car radio designers.
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Velcro runners! They take me back to “way back when”. My first pair of really cool runners was a black pair of Pumas with velcro fasteners. I felt like the coolest kid on the block, especially growing up in East Germany where we never meant to have such things. Thanks for bringing up that memory! 🙂
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I’m glad it brought you back to your childhood. Very sweet, warm and definitely the best part of my life too.
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The velcro shoes are a great idea. They’re way more convenient for both child and mam 🙂
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I like the velcro shoes and I love people that come up with those innovative ideas. The world has to be more practical and convenient 😉
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I have to agree about the velcro with 3 kids it definitely saves time and frustration in the morning rush.
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