Cognitive issues in interface design and product development

The growth of technological innovations, developments, and their applications in product/systems development has raised a definite issue on retaining the user interface quite friendly, and a need is also being felt on developing suitable research methodologies and development of rational guidelines on human reliability. While the semiotics of product features (and the whole product in its totality) are undoubtedly some of the major features, it is also the information design components (the controls and the displays), that render making the products or systems `comprehensible´ and friendly to work with. At this point, a probe into the task analysis, user profile, operational characteristics, human capabilities and capabilities, previous exposure, experience, certain typical human cognitive factors like decision making capabilities etc., become obvious for consideration, analyses and application. The author presents certain successful case studies in interface design and product development which demonstrate application of (i) certain immediate physical ergonomic issues and (ii) cognitive issues in information design. Analyses, and concerned design developments, with reference to specific applications do raise certain immediate physical issues which are substantiated through appropriate application of mental modelling and ergonomic logistics in interface design. Strategies for developments of design guidelines and concerned procedural methodologies are also presented