Can the risk caused by design changes against population stereotypes be avoided: issue of direction-of-motion of cooking controls

Abstract

Population stereotypes have long been studied and discussed for years. Most of the designs have abided by the long-established customs, thereby drastic changes were rarely made. When there exists a de-facto or de-jour standard, it will be accepted as such, and no serious problems occur because people are accustomed to the state-of-the-art. However, if someone attempts to change something, problems can arise. However, the author quite recently noticed a change that can cause accidents under serious situations: it is related with the control system of gas burners - change of direction of motion (both rotation and sliding designs). Worse, the portable cooking stove with cassette gas container still follows the traditional design, i.e., turn left to ignite and increase power. Coexistence of completely colliding concepts can lead to accidents when the instant action to shut off the power is necessary. This paper argues the potential danger as the users grow older since they will stick to the long-established behavior, which is contradictory to the modernized appliance design.

Keywords: Gas cooking stove, population stereotype, safety and usability, user interface, universal design, water faucets

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1006157