Chapter 3 What Are Design and Designing? 51 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. The shape of a product should suggest what it is intended to do and how it is to be used. A chair is obviously for sitting. A deep, wide, fl at-bottomed canoe (Figure 3-14A) suggests stability, while the long, sleek shape of a racing boat suggests speed and ease of movement through the water (Figure 3-14B). An important part of user-centered design is usability. This refers to how easy and enjoyable a product is to use. How quickly can a user learn to use the product correctly and safely? Think about the poor design of lengthy and highly detailed instruction manuals that accompany many products. Usability also includes efficiency: how well does the product achieve its goal? Compare the lemon squeezers shown in Figure 3-15. The lemon squeezer shown in Figure 3-15A is an icon of modern design. Although it looks elegant, it is not very efficient. Unless it is held firmly, it tends to tip over when used. A separate container must be used to catch the juice, much of which ends up on the counter. A traditional lemon squeezer, Figure 3-15B, has a tray to catch the juice and a spout for pouring, making it easier to use. Pete Saloutos/Shutterstock.com Figure 3-14. These boats are designed for different uses. A—Canoes are designed to carry loads and move slowly through water. B—Racing boats are lightweight and move quickly through water. A B marekuliasz/Shutterstock.com jultud/Shutterstock.com Figure 3-15. Two designs of a simple product. A—Using this lemon squeezer usually results in a sticky countertop! B—A traditional and very functional solution to a problem. A B Tawan Jz/Shutterstock.com