Identifying Communication Design

Project 1

Effective Communication Design

While this door doesn’t have print or convey information explicitly, I believe it’s a great example of effective communication design. Doors are simple products with a simple purpose: to separate areas while providing entry or exit. Many doors have extra bells and whistles that can sometimes confuse its users. This door tells just enough to its audience so that it can be used in the most efficient and safe manner.

This door keeps its features simple and effective. While it doesn’t directly say “Push” it’s easily inferred from the handle bar. There’s no way of getting confused and possibly pulling on this door. The door also makes it clear which side to push by only making one side pushable. This ensures the user has the easiest time opening the door and not exerting extra energy. Additionally, this door makes sure you aren’t hitting anyone or anything on the other side by providing a transparent window on the pushing side. While the door doesn’t look fancy or extravagant, it does an excellent job in providing the basic necessities for a safe and functional door.

Ineffective Communication Design

I believe that this door is an ineffective piece of communication design. While the door is stripped down to its simplest form, it still lacks clarity and other beneficial features more effective doors have. The door opens and closes, but that’s about it. It gives no other information to the user.

The door makes it difficult to discern whether it’s a push or pull type of door. Doors aren’t puzzles and shouldn’t be made as such. This door also does a poor job of conveying which side to push or pull. While these features may seem nit-picky, this can be confusing and infuriating to someone who just wants to get to the other side as most people don’t think too much about opening or closing a door. Lastly, this door can be dangerous. With no window, there’s no way of telling of who or what is on the other side. While it still accomplishes the most basic goal of being a door, it lacks efficient communication to its end user which ultimately hinders its effectiveness.