Usability and comsumer experience are not only important for computer hardware and software. Consumer medical devices must not only be usable – they must be visually and physically appealing:
“Today, a medical device must be more than functional; it must also look and feel sophisticated. Device designers can use refined touchpoints to influence users €™ perceptions of the quality of a device.”
This article describes many of the industrial design techniques used in designing consumer medical devices. A very interesting read!!
Refined Touchpoints Drive Quality Perceptions by Michael Wiklund
I agree that the article is insightful. The only thing I found lacking was a discussion about the different training opportunities since a consumer wants to use a new device without reading a manual while a doctor, nurse, or technician expects to be trained.
Lisa,
Obviously, training is always a critical issue when discussing and developing software applications for professionals and experts. Too bad they didn’t address these issues.