Interaction design

An interesting sketch of Alan Partridge about interaction design of his car. The car makes an alarm noise but he can’t find the reason. An interesting discussion between the by driver and Alan shows how they have different conceptual models of the car.

Alan believes it has to be something important because the alarm is quite alarmist. It can’t be that the car is saying you are low on windscreen washer fluid. That is not an alarm like this, this is a panic message. I would not say ‘oh my god, you are low on windscreen washer fluid’. The car needs to say, excuse me, I don’t want to distract you from driving, but the level of window washer fluid is a little low and they do that with a little light.

Then his by driver makes the suggestion it might be the clock which isn’t set right. Alan responds by saying you are not getting an alarm because the clock isn’t right.

Conceptual model

Both fragments shows the conceptual model they have of the car and alarm in particular. All suggestions point to something in front of them, either the clock, window washer fluid, or petrol level. What if the trunk was not fully closed and the car wanted them to notify by this alarm?

Clearly the designers failed to communicate the message of what is wrong, although for them it was probably perfectly understandable.

Via Youtube