Making security accessible

system house solutions

A black security card reader placed on a concrete wall. Beeping the device is a hand in motion holding a security pass card.

challenge

Next generation access control system

Designing products for public environments means to meet specific requirements to ensure accessibility for a wide and diverse range of users.

We were asked to lead and develop the product- and interaction design of System House Solutions' next generation access control system. Their ambition was to improve the perceived quality of the product, the logic and symbol management of the UI and to develop a product that better would respond to end user/stakeholder needs.

The project members consisted of electrical and mechanical engineers, software developers, project management and product/UX/UI designers. Our part as product/UX/UI designers was to challenge existing solutions and to push the project to understand real user needs.

A very close closeup of a security device and solution from SystemHouse Solutions. Previously Bravida product

Design agency in Malmö Sweden, creating industrial design, ux and ui design, service design, sustainable design, circular design, web design, graphic design, branding, engineering.

requirements

Designing for accessibility

From early ideation development phase, all decision making was founded in meeting the requirements from Riktlinjer för tillgänglighet, Riv Hindren, published by Myndigheten för Delaktighet, meaning it had to:

Allow for usage by person with reduced hand strength or gripping ability

Allow for the product to be reached and seen by people who have limited range, for example sitting in a wheelchair

Allow for usage by people with impaired vision and hearing

Allow for usage with one hand

approach

Mock-ups for end user insight

To meet the specific requirements, an evaluating workshop was set up with end users with impaired visionWith the help of mock-ups, rendered images and a questionnaire we landed in two main design directions that were developed and tried out, each with two different key solutions.

Before production, several prototypes were tested, including an interactive UI prototype which gave installers and service technicians an early visualisation of a proposed way to navigate. Their feedback was used to iterate until a finalised design was set, making the programming phase more efficient.

A moving mockup of a product User Interface for Sysemhouse solutions security system and alarms

"To prioritize early user testing has shown over and over again to save cost and time in the long run

- mårten rittfeldt, zenit founder

Result

The EXRead access system

The EXRead access system now meets the recommendations of Riktlinjer för tillgänglighet and offers an intuitive way to navigate a menu, has large and easy-to-read icons giving clear feedback through sound and contrast. The system is much easier to install and exceeds industry standard in many aspects. It’s a more inviting and generous product that communicates well with its users independently of user group or background knowledge of the system. The overall design has been very well received by the market and has been presented at international B2B exhibitions with great response.

Two renderings of a security system and solution

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