Emotions in design: Considering user experience for tangible and ambient interaction in control rooms

Abstract

Operators in highly automated control rooms are said to be constantly bored, and boredom is an emotional state that can have economic and environmental consequences. This article presents insights into users’ emotions and their role in the design of control rooms. The study focused on the users’ experience in two control rooms, where operators explored their emotions in relation to a situation, object, place, or action. Based on the results of the study and previous research, this article examines control room’s information design and makes recommendations on how it might be given a tangible and ambient form.