Machine: Water fountain with a bottle dispenser
Location: Science Center, first floor
The machine presents its capabilities to the user through the images present on the machine. The image of the water bottle with a drop of water and words “sensor activated” allows the user to assume there is a sensor and once a water bottle is placed on the image, the sensor will be triggered and water will be released. As well the water bottle dispenser feature is an addition to the normal water fountain. The ability to use the water fountain is made known through the words “push” written on the three buttons available for use. The user is able to dispense water either into a water bottle or through the normal faucet straight into their mouth. Some affordances are that because the machine does not have any directly written instructions, the usability factor depends on the user’s insight and ability to notice the smaller details of the machine. The sensor and image of the bottle is colored blue which is not an extremely bright color so it can be easily missed. As well, because the machine has multiple ways to drink water, it can be easy for a user to only notice one of the methods. Based on the user’s purpose for using the machine, how the user knows what to do first could differ. If the user has in mind they only need a water faucet, the push buttons and faucet lip will stick out to them and signify that is how water will be dispensed. If the user has a water bottle to fill, the image and small ledge could pop out more to them and signify that is where the water bottle is placed to be filled. Possible affordances could be that a user assumes the “push” buttons work for both the faucet and water bottle dispenser. The machines feedback is the release of the water and the small sensor light illuminates when it is triggered.
The interface is extremely innovative and good for promoting sustainability. The only problematic items of the interface are the dual usage can cause some minor confusion. As well there are many buttons for the water faucet so it could be easy to confuse one of those as functioning for the water bottle sensor. Possibly by illuminating the water bottle image or coloring it more brightly could offer a quick fix.