Paul J. Rankin

The Cockpit Metaphor

Abstract Engineering design is increasingly being supported by automatic procedures capable of improving a design but which, nevertheless, require human guidance if they are to be successful. Such guidance requires an effective interface. One such interface, recently implemented within a complex engineering design tool, is based upon the Cockpit Metaphor which is the subject of this paper. The metaphor was invented by domain experts and a psychologist, not in response to a commission but as an innovative statement of a fruitful path which future engineering design tools might follow. This paper describes the context of the Cockpit Metaphor, the requirements influencing its incorporation in the Cockpit interface, the evaluations carried out, and the research issues raised.

Steering automated design

We describe the rationale and design of an advanced interface linking an engineering designer to a complex design facility whose novelty resides in its provision of both automated design and knowledge-based advisory systems. The creation of the system was hampered by a lack of knowledge as to how automated design and advisory systems would be used, a lack of experimental controls, and the high cost of implementation. Despite these factors, a powerful industrial design system was created which fluently integrates conventional interactive design with automated design. The approach adopted in the design of the constituent components of the interface is described, including comment on prototyping needs and evaluation. Finally, our methodology is critiqued, and useful outcomes identified.

A Contrast Between Information Navigation and Social Navigation in Virtual Worlds

We begin by emphasising the need for clear definitions of terms such as browsing and navigation, which previously had been rather loosely described. Reasonably precise definitions are offered which have led to a new theoretical framework for navigation. The framework appears to be equally relevant to social as well as information navigation. An interesting contrast is drawn here between these two activities, speculating on some of the psychological processes involved. In both cases the navigational process comprises the four activities of browsing, modelling, interpretation and strategy formulation. These are set within a context determined by the user’s intent and the constraints and biases of the search domain. Differences are found in the properties of interest, the types of conscious and unconscious activities in which the person engages, and the affordances which are presented to the participant as opportunities for interaction.

The human guidance of automated design

This 5-minute video describes the potential of automated design (optimisation) and identifies associated difficulties which can be overcome by an interface allowing the designer to guide the automated design process. Within the context of electronic circuit design the video then shows a system, called CoCo, for the c&barbelow;ontrol and o&barbelow;bservation of c&barbelow;ircuit o&barbelow;ptimisation. Illustrations focus on graphical interfaces used for (a) describing the circuit, (b) describing the required performance and (c) the human guidance of the automated design of that circuit. Jargon has been suppressed so that workers in related fields can see the implications of the idea.

EMPOWERING INDUSTRIAL DESIGNERS

Industrial design is an important, but complex activity whose creative phases are poorly supported by computer aids. Numerical methods could assist the process of design innovation, but present many cognitive barriers to their exploitation. We describe an ambitious project aimed at bringing the power of one such method, optimisation, to analogue circuit engineers.

User models of the circuit design process

To aid in the design of both a CAD system and its user interface, studies of circuit designers using a prototyped system resulted in several user model diagrams depicting the analogue circuit design process. The relative merits of this approach and its affect on the system design are discussed.