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designing easy-to-use machines

How to create interfaces that are intuitive to use

Four golden rules for creating intuitive HMI interfaces

User-friendly HMIs ensure that users who operate critical machinery and equipment can work productively and efficiently. We have distilled the best practices that will help you make your HMI as intuitive as possible to ensure smooth human-to-machine communication.

Be consistent, keep it simple 

Actions, terminology and commands should be presented – and behave – consistently from use to use. Repeatability helps the user learn faster and find information more quickly. Design elements such as icons, buttons and navigation menus must also be consistent.

Consider data needs

Intuitive and user-friendly controls can only be designed when you have a grasp of the precise data users need to read and enter in the HMI interface to minimize complexity.                                                                

  • Create a standardized look and feel in line with your corporate identity, to support branding and brand recognition.
  • Use decoration sparingly – form always follows function.
  • Eliminate any unnecessary or irrelevant elements.
  • Highlight key elements using size, color, and placement to support the information hierarchy.
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  • Make sure you have a clear understanding all the information to be entered and viewed by users.
  • Choose the expected control for each input: a mechanical switch for activate/deactivate functions, and a touch panel for entering detailed parameters
  • Assess the data users will enter into the HMI. Is an alphanumeric keyboard needed, or will a numeric keypad do? Will users enter specific values or choose from a set range?"
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Create clear, distinguishable buttons

To achieve simplicity and clarity when designing HMI interfaces, on-screen buttons have an important role to play. So maximise their potential for helping the user to easily navigate the touch screen panel.

Choose an effective graphical user interface (GUI) color theme

A GUI’s color theme must reflect your organization’s corporate identity. Light and dark themes can be used, depending on the operating environment’s lighting scheme.
 

  • On-screen buttons must always be presented as a shape (i.e. round or rectangular) filled or outlined, with or without an icon. But, text-only buttons should not be used.
  • Ensure consistency of text (upper, lower, or title) case across button labels throughout the interface.
  • Colors should be assigned to active and non-active fields/buttons so if an on-screen button is activated, it should change color, for instance from gray to blue.
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  • In brightly lit environments, a high-contrast display with a light theme is required.
  • Use a dark theme in low light environments to reduce eye strain.
  • If your corporate colors are too similar to colors used to convey important status information (such as the color red) avoid using these in the GUI to avoid confusion.
  • Design for color blindness.
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Learn how to create interfaces that are intuitive to use by downloading our design guide, which is packed with best practices and tips.

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Eaton is an intelligent power management company dedicated to improving the quality of life and protecting the environment for people everywhere. We are guided by our commitment to do business right, to operate sustainably and to help our customers manage power ─ today and well into the future. By capitalizing on the global growth trends of electrification and digitalization, we’re accelerating the planet’s transition to renewable energy and helping to solve the world’s most urgent power management challenges.
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