Hi Elevator,

How you’re used_my assumption

1. User walks to the elevator and stands in front of the door or waits in line.
2. Pushes up/down button if it’s not been pushed.
3. Walks inside when the door opens.
4. Gentleman holds door-open button for incomers.
5. Everyone checks if his/her destined-floor-button has been pushed or not, or he/she pushes the button or asks others to do so.
6. The door closes.
7. Unless it’s user’s destined-floor, user stays inside instead of stepping out.
8. Gentleman holds door-open button for incomers and out-goers.
9. Users says “Excuse me. Thank you.” and steps out when the elevator reaches his/her destined-floor.
10. The End.

How you’re actually used_from observation

• actual situation(observed in the lobby of Tisch)
  • because of the existence of smartphone, users have more patience to wait nowadays.
  • when waiting in line, users start making small chat, meeting people from different departments, and it’s a good moment to be social.
  • at 4th floor, ITP’s elevators have no signs showing where the elevators are at. Maybe because of this, users become less patient waiting and more attempting to use the stairs down.
• different approaches
  • some stand motionlessly and wait the door to close; some keep pushing the door-close button
  • when lines get too long, some users at the back give up and choose the stair instead, and some just keep waiting.
• difficulties
  • users have to tiptoe to see if their destined-floor button has been pushed or not.
  • users have to squeeze in to push the button if it’s crowded.
  • users have to be aware of the unpredictable closing door.
• easy
  • just stands and goes up and down several meters effortlessly.
  • asks for help to push the buttons.
• longest time
  • waits in line
• shortest time
  • gives up and uses stairs instead(if users’ departments don’t reside higher than 5th floor)
• time of whole transaction (this part is still under construction)
  • waiting:
  • duration of each floor:
  • pushing button:
  • stepping in/out:

What if… Then… Moment for you my dear Elevator

• The display board inside the elevator shows which floor has already been chosen.
• After being pushed, the door open/close button flashes on and off continuously to indicate that it does keep working/sending message(giving local feedback), so users won’t act crazy pushing it.
• Set floor buttons
  1. outside the elevator, and users press the button before walking in.
  2. on the side of the door, and users press the button when walking by.
  3. hanging from the ceiling, and users pull the button(acting like pulling string).