Examples of designs he contributed to
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Leonard Verhoef
interfacepsychology Background Research Interface requirements Interfaces psychology based Press
Dr. Leonard Verhoef, applied cognitive psychologist. For designing complex things. Not a designer.
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Demo cognitief psychologisch verantwoorde 'kilometerteller', vooral voor de bestuurder van een zelfrijdende auto.
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Updated June 2017
Background
Upper right red, Close to disaster
After primary school and teacher training college he studied educational psychology (University Utrecht) and applied experimental psychology (University Utrecht). His PhD he did in Leiden: Why designers can’t understand their users, developing a systematic approach using cognitive psychology.Leonard Verhoef started his career as a cognitive psychologist investigating the development of human thinking. Now he is a psychological designer of ultimate cognitive psychology based interfaces for complex systems people use to perform cognitive tasks.
Research on human thinking
He started with research on the development of human thinking and the implementation of that knowledge in mathematics at school, a mathematics test. He took tried to find an answer on the question what is really wrong with today's interface design and interfaces like GUI's and Windows (and the Mac as well!).
The answer is not: designers are to blame (as Norman suggests). Nor are the managers to blame (as Cooper suggests). He suggests to look at psychology.
All OK.
Upper right yellow low, take care!
The University of Leiden nominated Thomas Cool and Leonard Verhoef for with their proposal for a logic reasoning indicator.
Upper right yellow high, take care! Source: Verhoef Holslag, 2010.
Source: LBS/Holslag Verhoef.
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Application of cognitive research
x GUI and web
From putting data in statistics to controlling conclusions. Decision making with your eyes only.
Icon design
Komt de trein bij de overweg van rechts of van links, van links én van rechts, van rechts én ook van rechts of van links én ook van links? O.a. plaatsbepalingsfouten
Public info public transport
Decision making of vending machine users
Sourrce: Holslag Verhoef
Schoolvorderingen worden per jaar bepaald en beslissen vroeger en ook nu nog over jaars-gewijzevoortgang (blijven zitten). Met dynamische technieken kan de voortgang in het leerproces nu bepaald worden en kan per handeling besloten worden wat de volgende leerstap moet zijn. GUI and web
GUI en psychologie, welke de beauty, welke de beast?
GUI and web
Een menu combineert spraak- en taalstoornissen
GUI and web
Gebruik van metaforen is riskant
Icon design
Teken je concrete objecten of abstracte essentie?
Leren rekenen
De computer als oplosser van rekenproblemen van kinderen. Niet alleen diagnostiek en ook niet alleen nakijken van sommen.
Leren rekenen
Het algoritme leren of leren algoritmiseren
Psychologie
Cognitive psychology will control the future
Psychologie denken
De werkelijkheid tonen die de gebruiker kent en ziet of een onzichtbare werkelijkheid tonen die de gebruiker nodig heeft
Psychologie denken
Anticiperen: vergeten voorkomen door vooruitzien
Psychologie denken
Metaforen zijn valkuilen die niet opvallen
Psychologie denken
Van papieren-jaar-denken naar dynamisch-nu-denken
Public info public transport
Hoe onderzoek je het denken van reizigers
How much information can be in one of these smiley? Source: Verhoef Holslag, 2010.
Design of tables
Graphics for aesthetics, OECD house style. Source: OECD quarterly growth table. http://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx
No graphics, data only. Same data as previous table.
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Interface requirements
As a psychologist he participates in the development of systems for professionals (process operators, traffic controllers, high speed train drivers) and public information systems (travel information, ticket vending machines, travel planners). His focus is not readability but performing a task with complex systems.
He changed from a psychologist observing the problems after a system has been built to a psychologist specifying in advance how to build a system. As a consequence it is right from the beginning, there is little discussion and the system is effective.
An example of such a system is the ERMTS driver interface for European high speed trains This design is rewarded with a nomination for the Design price of the town of Rotterdam. Another well known design in which psychology was dictating the interface is the Netherlands Railways touch screen train ticket vending machine. This vending machine has not the traditional sequential and hierarchical (menu) structure but a parallel n-dimensional and orthogonal structure. That is unusual and sounds complicated, but people 92 years of age can use the machine without explanation and help of any kind. The way he applies experimental psychology is made public in the course and in the course Public information in a human efficient way.
Same data as previous table. Graphics for content. OECD, adapted by Verhoef for demo.
Design of scales
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One variable, six parameters, 233 milliseconds perception time.
Interfaces based As a one man company he is able to develop his ideas on interface design with on psychology in psychological processes as the only standard. By now he has developed the first place several designs in which technology, marketing, Design and opinions of users do not disturb compatibility with psychological processes. So, userfriendlyness is no problem. What is next?
Technology changes. It is difficult to predict what technology will offer. Psychological processes do not change. For him it is easy to specify requirements that fit psychological processes. The fundamentals of these processes do not change easily. Consequently, an interface based on these processes is sustainable.
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An effective problem solving tool. Source: Holslag & Verhoef.
Applications of cognitive psychology: Userfriendly web pages, GUI and devices using applied cognitie psychology
Grammar for graphics: understandable icons, pictograms and signs using a word grammar
Public info and devices for passengers, car drivers, pedestrians, skippers and flighters
Dutch:
Dutch:
English:
Portrait or landscape?
English:
What is better for a train traffic controler? portrait ... Dutch:
English:
...landscape?
Source: Holslag & Verhoef.
Managing our lives in a technical future
Dutch:
Psychology for design
Dutch:
Learning arithmetic, future, computers and education for new intelligence
European Train Control System for drivers of high speed trains
Dutch:
... realistic landscape? Source: Tom Tom, 2010.
English:
Dutch:
What is better for car driving?
English:
English:
alphanumerical portrait ...? In this case the best orientation is ... Source: Verhoef, 2010.
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abstract portrait ...? Press
Radio and television Psychologie en design, in de serie This Happened. 2013
Source: ETCS/Verhoef. Train traffic control
NOS op 3, waarom vergeten reizigers uit te checken? 2013 De Rekenkamer KRO, een programma over de kosten van de OV-chipkaart. 2013
How to present tracks and platforms?
Paper press WDI, no. 10, oktober, pag. 2. www.wolterendros.nl/nieuws/images/200310wdi.pdf This way? Beaten M. (1991). Koffieboon kan het woord koffie niet vervangen, Interview met L. Verhoef. Trouw, no. Zaterdag 16 februari 1991. Berckel, F. van, (1990). Pictogram staat voor concessie en compromis, Interview met L. Verhoef. Design, vol. 4, no. 1, pag. 32-33. Bie, R. de, (1997). Treincomputer dingt mee naar designprijs. Koppeling, no. 354. Bowen, D.J. (1994). Dutch Eurodisplay may presage standard for HSR Cab Displays. High Speed Transport news, vol. 3, no. 4. Braun, B. (2007). Alles kan slimmer. Mare, www.leidenuniv.nl/mare/2007/04/08.html. Commijs, H. (1988). 't Is niet eenvoudig geweest om het zover te krijgen, De Silhouette is simpel te bedienen. Rotterdam: Van NelleVan Nelle Grootverbruik Zakennieuws, vol. 3, no. 2, pag. 3. Evenhuis, A. (1997). Tussen mens en machine, Taal & teken op het spoor. Trouw, no. 6 februari 1997. Freeke, I. (2005). It's the psychology, stupid! SIGCHI, vol. Avondlezing 8 sep 2005 door L. Verhoef.<
Or this way? Source: NS/Verhoef. Screen design public transport Design of in car systems
Goossens, G. (2008). Interview: dr. Leonard Verhoef. Web designer, no. 6, pag. 28.
Speed control information for cars. Point with cursor for an explanation.
Heuts, P. (2007). Psychologie achter de informatieborden. OV-magazine, no. 8.
Design of train indicators
Jury report Rotterdam Design Prize 1997, (1997). ETCS MMI' interface for train drivers. www.designprijs.nl/archief/dpr1997/97/juryrapport.html. Pol, M. van der, (2009). , Keep it Simple Stupid, Bright, no. feb-mrt, pag. 36-41, www.bright.nl/26-kiss-keep-it-simple-stupid Kraaijeveld, K. (2002). Interface blijft aanmodderen, zelfs in 3D. de Volkskrant, 25 april 2002
Grey half circle: Departure in 30 min. Go shoping. Departure in 30 min.
Kwant, J., (2009). Snap je machine, Flow. Noë, F. (1993). Software-ergonomie blijft missiewerk. Automatiserings Gids, no 23 juli. Nomination Rotterdam Design Prize 1997, (1997). ETCS MMI interface for train drivers. www.designprijs.nl/archief/dpr1997/97/19e.html. Noorderlicht, (2007). Gebruiksvriendelijke computers, 18-sep-07. noorderlicht.vpro.nl/afleveringen/35386001/
Yellow 1/4 circle: Departure in 15 min.. Go to train. Departure in 15 min.
Ordelman, T. (1989). Een mens heeft meer dan alleen handen en voeten, Interview met L. Verhoef. Siemens Interview, trends in computers en communicatie, no. 34. Simlinger, Review of Why designers can’t understand their users Departure in 30 sec. Teleac, (2007). (On)handige apparaten. Teleac radio, Hoe? Zo!, no. 15 oktober 2007. Velden, A. van der, (1990). De Kaartenmaker wil te veel en durft te weinig, interview. Het Parool, no. Zaterdag 6 oktober 1990, pag. 31. Verkaik-Smeets, (1991). Ergonomie van het gezonde verstand. PC+, no. 18 december, pag. 18-20. Vrijenhoef, H. (1979). Rekenonderwijs de kwantiwijzer: een diagnostisch instrumentarium voor het rekenonderwijs O4, maandblad voor de verzorging van het onderwijs. Vol. 9, no 11. pag. 2-5.
Orange half circle: Hurry up! Departure in 30 sec.
Source: Amersfoort, Source: Experimental The Netherlands, designs, Verhoef 2008. 2010. Your browser does not support the video tag.
Voorronde academische jaarprijs, (2008). Sokrates presenteert een Redeneer-wijzer. Weststrate, P. (1988). Er moet nog veel veranderen, Interview met L. Verhoef. Haagse Courant, vol. Zaterdag 30 april. Willemse, C. (2008). Trends in IT, Wat wil de gebruiker? Exin. www.exin.nl/Nieuws/Magazine/~/media/Documents%20NL/PDF%20EXIN%20Nieuws/EXIN%20Nieuws%20febr%202008%20pdf.ashx.
Trains indicator Amsterdam approx. 1990-2010
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Contact
Human Efficiency Leonard Verhoef +31 (653) 739 750 Parkstraat 19 3581 PB Utrecht Nederland
Experimental design destinations indicator. Source: Verhoef. Design ticket vending
[email protected] Chamber of commerce number: 39057871, Utrecht.
Check in/out Dutch electronic public transport ticket system (trip costs, debit remaining, bye Experimental check bye ). in/out device. Source: Verhoef
NS touch screen train ticket vending machine Routing problems solved using ...
Ticket vending machine. Language optionfirst step (hierarchical solution)? Source: Belgium Railways.
Ticket vending machine. Change language any time (parallel solution). Source: NS/ Verhoef.
It looks like a menu. However, no hierarchical steps. What is the structure?" Which button is to help whizzkids and it-specialists? Source: NS/Verhoef.
The train ticket vending machine solution is general applicable. It also can be used for complex drink vending machines. Source: Verhoef.
High speed train driving ETCS, (European Train Control System) Experimental speedometers
Analog classical experimental clock design Train speed: 192. Maximum permitted speed 200. Next target permitted speed 40. Good for general maintain speed task, bad for planning and when close to intervention.
Analog design, screen version
Diagrammatic design, vertical version. Braking curve should not touch maximum permitted speed curve. The tongue below should fit in the pipe above. Good for planning and insight, bad when close to intervention.
Diagrammatic design, horizontal version. Comparable with vertical version.
Animated design Braking curve should not touch max permitted speed curve. The “vehicle” in front should not be too close. Good when close to intervention, bad for planning and insight.
Speed and safety information for high speed train drivers. The one that is now standard. Source: ETCS/Verhoef. To top of this list of pictures. Consistency
Cab with inconsistent interfaces. Visible, even at low resolution. Inconsistent presentation and input of: date, time, numbers, colours, enter procedures, control of attention.
Cab with consistent interfaces. No differences in presentation and input of: date, time, numbers, colours, enter procedures, control of attention.
Consistent icon design. The graphic elements can be combined for current functions and for functions to be developped. The graphic elements are like words. Designers can create new sentences. Drivers knowing the elements can understand new combinations of words/icons. To top of this list of pictdures.
Use of colours
Same use of colours for all information. Colour is used for control of attention.
Use of colour, white: no braking curve.
Use of colour, yellow: brake shortly.
Use of colour, orange: brake now!!
Use of colour, red: brake too late, intervention. This use of colour for control of user's attention can be used for any systems, for instance for passengers and teachers. To top of mmi concepts list.
Planning
At the right maximum train speed profile ahead. Lower maximum speed at 1000m. The planning design was based on the experimental diagrammatic design (see above). Time to intervention
The small square at the top left shows that there is sufficient time to safety system brake intervention.
Train braking curve is close to safety braking curve. The square top left shows time to intervention of the safety system. Time to intervention depends on maximum permitted speed minus current speed and the traction/ brake application. When looking outside the square is in the visal periphery but will be noticed when it comes up because: the periphery is sensitive for changes, for high contrast changes and the square is at the top of the screen. This design was based on the experimental animated design (see above). Nautical screens To top.