Comments on: Spotted: Safety on a Plane http://www.sgmitch.com/blog/2010/02/safety-on-a-plane/ Encounters with designed experiences Sat, 26 Mar 2011 20:28:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Sarah http://www.sgmitch.com/blog/2010/02/safety-on-a-plane/comment-page-1/#comment-902 Sarah Tue, 09 Mar 2010 04:33:35 +0000 http://www.sgmitch.com/blog/?p=839#comment-902 Cennydd and Bella, you both raise an interesting point. Perhaps the message is actually meant to be a reassurance; a sign that everything would be fine if the plane did have to come down in water. I wonder if that's true, and if it works that way for most people. And Cennydd, maybe you're right—perhaps it didn't have that effect on me because I mostly don't fly over water. Maybe I'm an outlier, but I prefer stay in my bubble believing that the chances of any emergency landing at all are basically nonexistent. I would love to hear the true story. Bella, if you ever get the straight scoop, please let me know! Cennydd and Bella, you both raise an interesting point. Perhaps the message is actually meant to be a reassurance; a sign that everything would be fine if the plane did have to come down in water. I wonder if that’s true, and if it works that way for most people. And Cennydd, maybe you’re right—perhaps it didn’t have that effect on me because I mostly don’t fly over water. Maybe I’m an outlier, but I prefer stay in my bubble believing that the chances of any emergency landing at all are basically nonexistent.

I would love to hear the true story. Bella, if you ever get the straight scoop, please let me know!

]]> By: Bella Martin http://www.sgmitch.com/blog/2010/02/safety-on-a-plane/comment-page-1/#comment-897 Bella Martin Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:29:21 +0000 http://www.sgmitch.com/blog/?p=839#comment-897 This post hits one of my favorite design challenges squarely on the head; that of designing for panic situations. Airplanes in particular take "designing for panic" to another level—with the redundant lighting systems on the floor, oxygen masks, the use of iconic representation throughout the plane to indicate non-verbal information, etc. After spending some time in this headspace, I think giving people a sense of control over their environment is key to how well they respond to panic and emergency situations. Perhaps the message about the "cushion as flotation device" provides that sense of control, and not only implies that one could survive such an event if it were to happen, but also, that tools would be available to help in the aftermath. As subtle as it is, I wonder if the message may have more to do with human psychology than anything else. I am going to have to find an aircraft cabin designer so I can ask! This post hits one of my favorite design challenges squarely on the head; that of designing for panic situations. Airplanes in particular take “designing for panic” to another level—with the redundant lighting systems on the floor, oxygen masks, the use of iconic representation throughout the plane to indicate non-verbal information, etc. After spending some time in this headspace, I think giving people a sense of control over their environment is key to how well they respond to panic and emergency situations. Perhaps the message about the “cushion as flotation device” provides that sense of control, and not only implies that one could survive such an event if it were to happen, but also, that tools would be available to help in the aftermath. As subtle as it is, I wonder if the message may have more to do with human psychology than anything else. I am going to have to find an aircraft cabin designer so I can ask!

]]> By: Cennydd http://www.sgmitch.com/blog/2010/02/safety-on-a-plane/comment-page-1/#comment-896 Cennydd Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:22:03 +0000 http://www.sgmitch.com/blog/?p=839#comment-896 It's worth remembering that, while North America's geography makes a water landing unlikely, for those of us in Europe (and particularly the UK) crossing over water on flights is very common. So you're absolutely right: that notice still performs mostly an illusory task, but for Europeans the likelihood, and I'd suspect the fear, is higher. I definitely prefer the illusion that to the reality: "Use bottom cushion to soften crushing impact"! It’s worth remembering that, while North America’s geography makes a water landing unlikely, for those of us in Europe (and particularly the UK) crossing over water on flights is very common.

So you’re absolutely right: that notice still performs mostly an illusory task, but for Europeans the likelihood, and I’d suspect the fear, is higher. I definitely prefer the illusion that to the reality: “Use bottom cushion to soften crushing impact”!

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