Comments on: Buttons are buttons, wheels are not wheels http://www.designvsart.com/blog/2009/08/21/buttons-are-buttons-wheels-are-not-wheels/ Interaction Design and User Experience Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:45:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: JJ http://www.designvsart.com/blog/2009/08/21/buttons-are-buttons-wheels-are-not-wheels/comment-page-1/#comment-452 JJ Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:17:43 +0000 http://www.designvsart.com/blog/?p=579#comment-452 Late comment on an old post, I know - but good points. If only for the near total dominance in the market of this design feature. Even when designers try to avoid the wheel, the keys are still grouped in a circular fashion: http://a.img-dpreview.com/reviews/Q209waterproofgroup/Images/PanaFT1/intro.jpg http://a.img-dpreview.com/reviews/Q209waterproofgroup/Images/CanonD10/Camera-back.jpg In defense, there is a need to simplify the look of the physical interface if the engineers require so many keys. I wish it could always coincide with an improvement in usability, but alas, no. Is the circle better or worse than separate buttons arranged in a circle? Or a grid of buttons? Or maybe the same layout, but in the shape of a square or diamond to dispel the urge to rotate? Most cellphones do something like that. Late comment on an old post, I know – but good points. If only for the near total dominance in the market of this design feature. Even when designers try to avoid the wheel, the keys are still grouped in a circular fashion:

http://a.img-dpreview.com/reviews/Q209waterproofgroup/Images/PanaFT1/intro.jpg
http://a.img-dpreview.com/reviews/Q209waterproofgroup/Images/CanonD10/Camera-back.jpg

In defense, there is a need to simplify the look of the physical interface if the engineers require so many keys. I wish it could always coincide with an improvement in usability, but alas, no. Is the circle better or worse than separate buttons arranged in a circle? Or a grid of buttons? Or maybe the same layout, but in the shape of a square or diamond to dispel the urge to rotate? Most cellphones do something like that.

]]> By: Christopher Fahey http://www.designvsart.com/blog/2009/08/21/buttons-are-buttons-wheels-are-not-wheels/comment-page-1/#comment-401 Christopher Fahey Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:52:07 +0000 http://www.designvsart.com/blog/?p=579#comment-401 Almost all remote controls have this design obsession, too. The idea is, IMHO, to make the interface look sexy in a photograph or on a box to a person who has yet to think about the full implications of the interfaces use. Or, as you suspect, it's just a creepy obsession of engineer/designers at electronics companies. Almost all remote controls have this design obsession, too. The idea is, IMHO, to make the interface look sexy in a photograph or on a box to a person who has yet to think about the full implications of the interfaces use. Or, as you suspect, it’s just a creepy obsession of engineer/designers at electronics companies.

]]> By: Mark http://www.designvsart.com/blog/2009/08/21/buttons-are-buttons-wheels-are-not-wheels/comment-page-1/#comment-400 Mark Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:14:43 +0000 http://www.designvsart.com/blog/?p=579#comment-400 On the plus side, it saves space on the back of the camera. Whereas you could only fit 4 regular buttons separately using a circle makes room for a fifth. On the plus side, it saves space on the back of the camera. Whereas you could only fit 4 regular buttons separately using a circle makes room for a fifth.

]]> By: Brian http://www.designvsart.com/blog/2009/08/21/buttons-are-buttons-wheels-are-not-wheels/comment-page-1/#comment-395 Brian Sat, 22 Aug 2009 13:38:32 +0000 http://www.designvsart.com/blog/?p=579#comment-395 I've noticed this as well—especially with the Canon models. I do have 1 model which has a functioning wheel, but the other 2 do not. I always figured it was either a production shortcut (4 "buttons" for the price of 1) and/or a desire to keep continuity among all the existing models (those which have a functioning wheel interface). Regardless, it's still puzzling :) I’ve noticed this as well—especially with the Canon models. I do have 1 model which has a functioning wheel, but the other 2 do not. I always figured it was either a production shortcut (4 “buttons” for the price of 1) and/or a desire to keep continuity among all the existing models (those which have a functioning wheel interface). Regardless, it’s still puzzling :)

]]> By: Interaction designer Alexis Brion on interfaces in consumer products | chavansoft http://www.designvsart.com/blog/2009/08/21/buttons-are-buttons-wheels-are-not-wheels/comment-page-1/#comment-389 Interaction designer Alexis Brion on interfaces in consumer products | chavansoft Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:21:01 +0000 http://www.designvsart.com/blog/?p=579#comment-389 [...] the minutiae of physical interface design. Alexis Brion’s insightful gripe on the Design vs. Art Blog points out that most camera manufacturers have uniformly adopted a rather silly interface feature: [...] [...] the minutiae of physical interface design. Alexis Brion’s insightful gripe on the Design vs. Art Blog points out that most camera manufacturers have uniformly adopted a rather silly interface feature: [...]

]]> By: Jae http://www.designvsart.com/blog/2009/08/21/buttons-are-buttons-wheels-are-not-wheels/comment-page-1/#comment-388 Jae Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:58:59 +0000 http://www.designvsart.com/blog/?p=579#comment-388 The new Canon S90 has an actual wheel that Ken Rockwell raves about, supposedly a mind blowingly great new interface in fast quick controls. The newer Sony cameras all have touch screens. The new Canon S90 has an actual wheel that Ken Rockwell raves about, supposedly a mind blowingly great new interface in fast quick controls.

The newer Sony cameras all have touch screens.

]]> By: Alexis Brion http://www.designvsart.com/blog/2009/08/21/buttons-are-buttons-wheels-are-not-wheels/comment-page-1/#comment-386 Alexis Brion Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:23:54 +0000 http://www.designvsart.com/blog/?p=579#comment-386 Yes! There are also some new Canons with a real wheel. Unfortunately, most cameras have a fake wheel still. Thanks for the comment! Yes! There are also some new Canons with a real wheel. Unfortunately, most cameras have a fake wheel still.

Thanks for the comment!

]]> By: paul http://www.designvsart.com/blog/2009/08/21/buttons-are-buttons-wheels-are-not-wheels/comment-page-1/#comment-384 paul Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:08:50 +0000 http://www.designvsart.com/blog/?p=579#comment-384 New Olympus EP-1 has a wheel that IS a wheel, check it out! It's a very handy feature that lets you scroll thru menu options. New Olympus EP-1 has a wheel that IS a wheel, check it out! It’s a very handy feature that lets you scroll thru menu options.

]]>