design-people | work industry

Icebreaking interaction

Epoke

To keep the rest of us safe from the hazards of winter’s icy roads, Epoke delivers industrial high-end salt spreading systems. The key to controlling these systems is a remote control located in the drivers cab. With the new EpoMaster X1, Epoke introduces a more visual approach, to make it easier for the driver to understand and adjust how the salt is currently being spread behind the truck. Being able to spread salt precisely is the key, since this means higher road safety and less salt wasted. To maximize traffic safety, the primary settings are also adjusted using physical controls so they can be controlled while keeping the eyes on the road.

The new interface is based on thorough user studies, feature workshops, and situated interviews to understand the drivers and the context of use.
Since the profession of spreading salt is seasonal, the remote has been designed to make it easy - especially for new users - to get familiar with the system and get started.

Especially the startup menu guides the users through the initial configuration and is accessed using a touchscreen.
This simple approach benefits Epoke, by minimizing the amount of time it takes to train new drivers and the amount of support required by users in the beginning of season.
"The money we have used on designes have been really well spent" - Jørn Christensen, CEO, Epoke A/S

Services: User research, interaction design, product design

Double iF award for new ventilation control experience

Airmaster

Airlinq provides fresh air through intuitive interaction, empowering end-users in schools and offices to control indoor climate. At the same time, the slim panel blends discreetly with its environment. design-people's innovative solution for ventilation control has resulted in two iF 2013 awards - an iF product design award and an iF communication design award for the interface design. The iF award is an internationally recognized seal of quality which is awarded to excellent design. A great recognition of our ambition to create meaningful user experiences that seamlessly integrate product and interaction design!

Our initial user studies revealed that end-users would often like to adjust the ventilation program, but are reluctant due to the technical character of current control panels. Airlinq therefore focuses on giving end-users a simple interaction with the primary function of the panel - adjusting the air exchange. Our thinking was verfied through the involvement of female teachers, who would be typical users of the panel, in a concept focus group.

By simply swiping clockwise or counterclockwise along the Airlinq panel's distinctive circular element, the air exchange in a room increases or decreases. The circle elements light up while swiping and settle into an unobtrusive single element indicating the setting that has been chosen. Secondary functions are accessible to advanced users only through a PC software. Overall the new design encourages end-users to influence the indoor climate when needed, but prevents them from accidentally adjusting settings that result in a lower system efficiency.

The new Airlinq panel is the latest addition to the successful ventilation design line that design-people has created in close cooperation with Airmaster over the past few years. Airlinq lifts the user experience of the Airmaster system to new heights - and further strengthens Airmaster’s position as an innovative ventilation brand.

Development partner: JE electronic a/s

Services: user research, interaction design, product design, user feedback

Simplicity and reliability through design

DEIF

design-people has a long-lasting collaboration with DEIF, leading manufacturer of power control solutions and marine controls. As these products are often used in rugged environments and stressful situations, intuitive user interaction is essential.

The design line design-people has established for DEIF covers both interaction and product design. User research has been a valuable tool to frame and prioritise user needs so that the interaction design meets the demands of basic users as well as installers and service technicians.

As reliability is extremely important for these devices, a robust, professional and long lasting design expression was implemented in the family of control and indicator products designed throughout the last ten years.

Services: design DNA building, user research, interaction design, product design

Usability, branding and design innovations in water meter design line

Kamstrup

Kamstrup's new flow meter control box is the first in a new line of water metering products. The design DNA for the new products covers the physical product design as well as the overall interaction design approach of the water meters. The user research carried out for Kamstrup has made sure that both installation procedure, read-out and service are improved with the new design.

The visual expression communicates toughness as well as refinement and has elements that connect to the other metering products made by Kamstrup.

Services: user research, interaction analysis, design DNA, product design

Fresh air with invisible design

Airmaster

In 2003, Airmaster teamed up with design-people to create a product line based on innovative, energy efficient ventilation concepts. The product family spans over a range of ventilation fittings and operation panels. The products provide clean and fresh air where it is needed - in designs that are clean and unobtrusive, with a limited visual impact on architecture and interior. Although the design is discreet and long lasting it has a strong design DNA, that helps Airmaster to stand out in the market.

The latest addition to the Airmaster product family is the AM 1200. Here, we came up with an innovative concept for a ventilation system specifically designed to meet new standards for classroom ventilation. Not only does the new system integrate well in classrooms due to a customizable modular design – it also offers an option for noise cancelling surface materials that improve classroom acoustics. A valuable benefit for the learning environment!

Services: design DNA, product design, design communication

Robust interaction design with new graphic display

DEIF and Atlas Copco

Can a large colour screen improve the user interface of a heavy duty compressor? Used the right way it can. The Atlas Copco version of this story is about using the screen graphics to give the most comprehensive status information to the operator on how and what the compressor is doing. The new user interface design with a large digital meter in the center of the panel - along with smaller status icons and measured values was tested with users to make it as intuitive as possible. At the same time the home screen has a unique design that makes it a recognisable part of the branding for the new compressor series.

Atlas Copco manufactures heavy duty compressors used in rugged environments like road building or mining. DEIF from Denmark is a supplier and strategic development partner for the Operator panels that are part of the compressor.

Services: Interaction design

One look and feel across the world

Big Dutchman International

Big Dutchman International is a leading supplier of farm equipment - specialized in delivering turnkey farm projects globally.

design-people has developed an interaction design DNA for Big Dutchman, which creates one interaction design experience across equipments. From advanced PC controls that enables users to supervise and control several farms at a time, to local touch screens and Mobil devices. The DNA is based on thorough studies and analysis of users, this approach enabled us to target the interaction to specific user needs.

The strategic benefits of the interaction design DNA for Big Dutchman is:
- Clients need less support, because of easier interaction
- Clients adjust equipment more easily, increasing equipment output
- Clients buy again because it will reduce staff training
- The design guide reduces development time of interaction design for new machines

Services: interaction design DNA, user research, HMI analysis, feature workshops, icon library, templates, design guide

Intuitive food processing through a new interaction design DNA

Marel

Marel is a leading supplier of industrial food processing equipment with business units in Iceland, Holland, UK & Denmark

The goal for the collaboration with design-people was to enhance usability and design of all Marel’s food processing equipment, creating one look and feel across 200 machines in their product portfolio.

Field studies of users at production sites across Europe were followed up by workshops involving all business units at Marel. design-people developed usability and design guides for the new touch screen based interaction design DNA - giving the users a more safe, efficient and intuitive interaction with the advanced machines.

Services:

User-research, interaction design analysis, feature workshop, GUI design, design guides, implementation strategy, support setup

Twisted ergomomics

Migatronic

The new line of Migatronic welding torches extends a range of easy-to-use welding equipment designed by design-people. User field studies revealed the need for improved ergonomics to make the torch a good tool for extensive everyday use. Thus an innovative twist mechanism was made part of the design concept. The possibility to adjust the angle of the torch gives a far more convenient and less stressful use of the torch for the welder. A good example of valuable userdriven innovation and design.

Engineering partner: Formkon A/S

Services:

user studies, ergonomic concept, interaction and product design

Interaction design DNA - Migatronic

Award winning welding equipment

design-people has created a strong designline for Migatronic covering both product- and interaction design of a large range of welding equipment. An interaction design DNA that is applied to all Migatronic welding machines give the users instant familiarity and ease of use.

The designline was awarded an IF design award in 2006.

In 2010 the innovative welding torch "migatwist" was awarded a red dot design award.