"It is far better to adapt the technology to the user than to force the user to adapt to the technology." Larry Marine
Students studying the single subject course Cognitive Design at Umeå Institute of Design had a presentation on Thursday, March 24th of a project in collaboration with Bostaden in Umeå. The assignment was to design Echolog 2.0, a terminal that will help the tenants save energy. The collaboration is part of Green Citizens of Europe, a Umeå municipality long-term project.
The students conducted a study with interviews and user tests, and from their results designed prototypes. The terminal that the students have designed is not only capable of showing the consumption of electricity and water, but the tenants also have the possibility to book time in the laundry room, and also turn the engine preheater for their cars on. The tenants are also able to compare their energy consumptions with other households, to make it easier to understand the somewhat abstract kilowatt numbers.
Members of the press was at the presentation and below is a feature from the TV4 news:
