T h e U X S t u d i o

HMI Design
Contents

01 WHO WE ARE 04 WHAT WE OFFER

02 HOW WE DO IT 05 HMI EXAMPLES

03 WHY WE DO IT 06 EXPLAINER VIDEO

 HMI Design
Applying the principles of UX to the design
of HMIs increases productivity and
prevents downtime.”

T h e U X S t u d i o
 Who We
Are
Ireland’s only
S t u d i o

specialists in
HMI Design
U X
T h e
 A design agency that puts
the user’s at the centre of
all projects.
The UX Studio transforms businesses through innovation. We apply our expertise
across a range of digital platforms and screens to create digital products that
delight users and get results. We are committed to problem solving around
business constraints, while keeping audiences’ needs and behaviours at the
centre of our process. This is what makes us stand out from the crowd.

We are
The UX Studio
T h e U X S t u d i o

Our Process
Engage Users, Not Just
Stakeholders.
User Centered Process

As experts of User Experience, our main goal is to engage the potential users at every stage of the
process. We typically do this through a series of interviews with users, as well as shadowing users as
they go about their day to day tasks. We feel that the information gathered through these activities is
priceless and vital to the whole process.
Visualise Analytics in a
way that is Easy to
Understand.
Measuring Manufacturing
We understand that people are largely visual in the way that we consume information. That is why we
believe that simple and informative data visualisations can result in greater situational awareness and a
reduction in process errors. Using components such as trend graphs can give the user a greater sense
of if a process is running as well as it should by allowing them to compare current trends against an
optimal trend.
Shorter Learning Curve
Standard Is Key
By standardising HMI software throughout an industry, we can decrease the learning curve for new or
relocated operators. If each HMI has the same style and there is continuity throughout each screen,
then it will be of major benefit to any new operators who may come in and need to learn how to interact
with different HMI’s on their lines as opposed to learning multiple different HMI’s on the same line. This
also results in a smoother transition when operators need to be relocated within the same plant.
 HMI Design Tips
How do we make well-designed HMIs

Operator First

It is fundamental to include the operators in the design process of the HMI. At the end of it all, it will be
01
these operators who use the HMI each day. Techniques such as interviews and observation will help grasp
what is needed here.
Provide Meaningful Data
02 The human brain is able to interpret graphical information much faster than textual
information (Paul Gruhn). A good HMI will remove any need for operators to try and
Screen Layout Principles interpret the information presented to them on the screen.

Their should be some hierarchy to the layout of a HMI. Gestalt theories (Proximity & Similarity) should be
considered when design HMIs. This will prevent the screen becoming cluttered and make the screen 03
easier to scan for the operator.
Simple Animations & Depictions

04 The simpler the better here. There is no need for 3D-rendered components. They add no
value to the UI, only adding to the visual distractions and can impede the operator’s
capability to understand the current state of the process.
 Creating Standards Where Possible

If certain elements such as menu bars or navigation elements are placed and designed in a similar way
05
throughout all HMIs, operators will obviously need less time to become acquainted with new HMIs.

Careful Use of Colours

06 Many HMI guidelines recommend limiting the use of colour and using low-contrast grey
backgrounds to create less cluttered screens. It’s essential that colours are applied in a
Date/Time/Alarm Logging consistent and meaningful manner.

Good HMI designs require more than just properly designed screens; they must also intelligently use
features such as alarm and event logging. Do not just track alarms and events, but also note when they 07
occurred. Many recurring issues may seem unrelated—but often correlate to shift changes, coffee
breaks, or even the start-up and shutdown of nearby equipment or other periodic plant operations Appropriate Navigation

08 Some operations are very complex and the overall process can’t be displayed on a single
screen. Having different levels can allow for easy navigation if done right. Reducing the
time and difficulty of accessing each of these levels is essential here as it is important to
make the required information accessible to the operator in critical situations in good
time.
 HMI Do’s &
Don’ts
HMI displays should:
• Have brief summaries to help users gain understanding of core data

• Have the users aims/objectives at the heart of the design

• Provide instant access to more specific data

• Use available space economically

• Be presented on a single screen

HMI displays should not:

• Flood the viewer with information
S t u d i o

• Contain unnecessary graphics

• Over-burden the operator with ‘unprocessed’ data that requires calculation, interpretation or
deep analysis
U X
T h e
 HMI Design
There’s a frustrated artist residing in many
of us, but HMI design isn’t the time or place
to express these urges.”

T h e U X S t u d i o
 Why UX?
We know how valuable engineering time is to large companies and we feel that by applying UX
principles to HMI Software, we can cut lost time during engineering and manufacturing
processes. Standardising HMI software through a company will result in more informed
operators, shorter process times and a maximum return on engineering investment.

What is truly needed

User experience is at our core and we strive to create an HMI experience that will benefit all

Why We
the potential users. Our process centres around Primary User Centred Research which
includes in depth user interviews, process observations and task analysis that leads on to an
iterative design process that leverages end user input from start to finish.

Do It User Centered
S t u d i o

HMI’s must be built according to the user’s needs and not the other way around. Building with

Applying UX Principles to the user at the centre of the design will lead to a result that works best.
U X

HMI Software.
T h e
 Ward Automation
Ward Automation are a world-class developer and manufacturer of
assembly machines, filling machines, test equipment and special
purpose equipment supplying the medical device, pharmaceutical and
other manufacturing industries.
Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation is an American provider of industrial automation
and information products. Brands include Allen-Bradley and Rockwell
Software.

Who We’ve Medtronic

Worked
Medtronic is the world's largest medical device company with 86,000+
employees in over 350 locations worldwide and a total revenue of
$30billion. We have worked on multiple projects with their Galway and
Californian teams and continue to do so in 2019.

With
Software we’ve worked with

Ireland’s Only Specialists in

HMI Design.

We have designed single terminal HMI’s and SCADA systems using Rockwell’s
FactoryTalk, Wonderware’s InTouch and OSI PI. We are well versed in the capabilities
and customizability of each piece of software and have designed systems that comply
with ISA-101 standards in each.
What We Can
Do For You!
Our hands-on approach

T h e U X S t u d i o
Situational Awareness
Understanding your operator’s
needs
The complexity of industrial production continues to rise at a rapid pace, leading to operators requiring training to manage an abundance of data. Having
an interface that displays the appropriate information to the operator who requires it and is suited to that operator’s needs is essential. A good
interface should be coherent and intuitive. This allows an operator to anticipate key tasks to reduce stress. If an operator can identify irregular
situations, the operator can make informed decisions on how to act.

We believe that the perfect HMI is one that enables its operator to make informed decisions on a process based on the information that is being
presented to them. Our UX process focuses on what information each individual operator needs to make the best decision for the
production/manufacturing process.
OEE Standard
Measuring Manufacturing

OEE is the gold standard for measuring manufacturing productivity. By visualising OEE across the entire
plant, production lines and single machines, we can work towards creating an optimal productivity
standard across the whole operation.
 OEE Standard
(A) Availability
Availability takes into account Unplanned and Planned Stops. An Availability score
of 100% means the process is always running during Planned Production Time.
01

(P) Performance
Performance takes into account Slow Cycles and Small Stops. A Performance

02 score of 100% means when the process is running it is running as fast as

possible.

(Q) Quality
Quality takes into account Defects (including parts that need Rework). A Quality

A x P x Q = OEE
score of 100% means there are no Defects (only Good Parts are being produced).
03
HMI Recipes
A d v a n c e d R e c i p e S e tu p &
Ma n a g e m e n t
Recipes provide a means to quickly and accurately change from one product to the next. We know that
setting up recipes can be a time consuming process for R&D operators. We look to simplify this process
as much as possible by using technology such as barcode scanning and recipe databases.
Actionable
Intelligence
G o f r o m I n f o r ma ti o n O v e r l o a d to
A c ti o n a b l e I n te l l i g e n c e .

Our main goal is to convert the large amounts of data stored on your system into actionable intelligence that can be accessed and interacted with by all
users in your facility. By applying ISA-101 standards and creating data visualisations that engage your users we will enable you to get the most value out
of the data collected.
Accessibility
Me e t i n g U s e r ’ s N e e d s

All of our HMIs are designed to the highest accessibility standards and comply with ISA-101 standards.
Prototypes are tested extensively to ensure the HMI is as usable for someone with impaired vision or
colour blindness as it is for someone with perfect sight. This ensures that full situational awareness can
be achieved for all operators.
 HMI Design
Colour blindness (colour vision deficiency,
or CVD) affects approximately 1 in 12
men (8%) and 1 in 200 women in the world.”

T h e U X S t u d i o
SCADA
A S u p e r v i s o r y S y s te m

Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) is a system of software and hardware elements that
allows industrial organisations to:

• Control industrial processes locally or at remote locations

• Monitor, gather, and process real-time data

• Directly interact with devices such as sensors, valves, pumps, motors, and more through human-
machine interface (HMI) software
• Record events into a log file
 SCADA vs HMI
A SCADA system is comprised of remote An HMI is essentially a user control station
systems, all tied together at one central hub (usually in the form of a touchscreen or
(water treatment pumps in a district) screen with buttons attached)

SCADA can’t be apart of an HMI HMI can be apart of SCADA

SCADA systems typically monitor and An HMI is typically tied to a machine or

control large areas process

SCADA systems usually have more memory, An HMI has less memory usually, and is
S t u d i o

making it better for larger systems more suitable for single machines
U X
T h e
Responsive
Design
Adapting to different environments

Our HMI prototypes can be designed for interaction on numerous platforms and we will ensure that the
information is displayed just as effectively on a mobile screen as it is on a computer screen. Responsive
Design allows the user to keep up to date with the processes running in a location wherever they may
be.
T h e U X S t u d i o

HMI
Examples
Some examples of
HMIs you might see
today.
Due to the fact that HMI designs were most likely designed without the operator in
mind, the results were similar to what can be seen here. Because of this, it became
the standard, with the problem being that operators and industry weren’t aware of
what was actually possible with the right research prior to the design.
HMI for a typical
factory line
Adaptive
Light to
Dark
Dashboards
OSI PI
Sample
Example of an
Interactive HMI
Example of an
Interactive HMI
Contact
us! Tell us about your HMI/UX challenge!

We would love to discuss how we can work with you to decrease your costs in user errors, training costs,
relocation costs, and time spent on users learning multiple HMIs.

Contact
Sara Gilligan at sara@theuxstudio.ie | 0858784480

091632657 | www.theuxstudio.ie | Ballyhugh, Tubber Road, Gort, H91 Y9C8