The tasks performed in lighting a lighter are minimal yet require a certain level of coordination in order to succeed in creating a flame. First, one must grasp the lighter with the thumb on the spark spindle and the other four fingers embracing the body of the lighter itself. Locate whatever it is you wish to light on fire close to the lighter and quickly press down with your thumb on the spark spindle while split seconds after using that same thumb to press down on the tab which releases the gas from within the body of the lighter. At this moment the combination of the gas and spark, if properly conducted, will create a suitable flame able to set whatever you wish ablaze. The critical task in using a lighter is the swift and confident thumb movement required to simultaneously release a spark and the gas to create the flame.
Why is this interaction necessary?
This interaction is necessary because if not for lighters, those needing a cigarette or other smokable item would have to use the somewhat unreliable and dangerous match or create a full blown fire and use it in the lighting of all cigarette, cigars etc...
What are the items of this interaction?
The items of this interaction include the fuel chamber in the body of the lighter, in some cases a flame size adjuster, the spark spindle and the tab directly below the spindle which releases the gas from the chamber inside the lighter.
Where and When does this interaction start and finish?
This interaction begins with the need for a smoke and continues with the proper use of the lighter by performing the described actions above. The interaction is complete with an achieved flame of desirable size and ability to light the chosen item.
How does the design direct the interaction?
Although people seem to instinctively know how to use a lighter, I am not so confident that someone who had never seen a lighter before would be able to use it. It is for this reason that I feel the design of the typical lighter does not perfectly indicate how to direct the interaction. For those who do know it is typically because we have witnessed numerous times how to successfully use a lighter. The spindle that creates the spark suggests a turning motion and the tab directly beneath it implies an immediate application of pressure in order for proper use. It is possible that the tab which remains a different colour on most lighters is designed in order to signify a need for movement in some direction and the grooves in the spindle also suggest a certain movement in order to create the desired flame.
What are the goals of the people in the interaction? How are these goals met or not met by the system?
The goal(s) of the people in this interaction is to create a sufficient flame in order to light common items such as a cigarette. Although using a lighter may be difficult at times, it is hard to imagine a different method of quickly acquiring a usable flame while maintaining a reasonable size for the product. In this sense the goals of the system are met if one is able to successfully pull off the required level of coordination in order to make gas and spark meet.
Diagram
Re-Design
1 comment:
Simple but valid choice of topic; Well conceived and executed ethnography, though no video on the blog; Provocative yet plausible suggested improvements; Generally clear and concise.
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