If there is one place where we face the importance of the design of everyday things every day, it is the traffic intersection. Designed right they are entirely safe but designed wrong and they become Dead Zones. Software designed wrong can also lead to Dead Zones where users have no idea what to do next.

I know when a kitchen utensil is poorly designed. I like simple, usable tools. The same applies to software development and documentation development. Using the example of OXO kitchen products, I demonstrate that good product design employees three basic principles - simplicity, usability and quality.

Consumer technology is littered with hundreds of products that people are expected to use, despite little or no sense of usability. John Karlin of Bell Labs almost single-handedly invented Human Factors with his brilliant design of the telephone dial and number pads. This is his story.

Good design ensures the users are always informed about the current status while using the product.

SAP has developed some well thought-out design principles in their company-wide standard called SAP Flori.

The Quonset Hut is a genius invention and shows what can be done when you combine a pressing need with good, sound engineering and documentation. It was used with great effect during World War II for military housing, storage, and general use. It was the greatest assemble-yourself product long before IKEA came up with the idea. And it had better documentation.

The University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Canada redesigned the south entrance to the university based on plans submitted by the student body and staff. Imagine that! It is a brilliant example of Human Factors engineering research and development.