A hands-on, specific design assignment is described, for use in a graduate or undergraduate human factors course. The assignment requires students to re-design an EXIT sign, taking into account principles of visual display design, and environmental factors, which may reduce visibility of the sign. Assigning a particular object to re-design allows for in-class comparison and discussion, and additionally, is easier for students when first beginning to identify human factors deficiencies in everyday objects. Students consistently rate this assignment positively, and especially enjoy the creative aspect of the assignment.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
CarkenordD. M. (1994). Promoting human factors psychology thinking through design assignments. Teaching of Psychology, 21, 235237.
2.
CollinsB. L.LernerN. D. (1983). An evaluation of exit symbol visibility (NBSIR 83–2675). Washington, DC: National Bureau of Standards.
3.
SandersM. J.McCormickE. J. (1993). Human factors in engineering and design (7th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
4.
WickensC. D.LeeJ.LiuY.BeckerGordon S. (2004). An introduction to human factors engineering (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NH: Pearson/Prentice Hall.
5.
WoodsonW. E. (1981). Human factors design handbook. New York: McGraw-Hill.
