Sunday, February 5, 2023

Usability of Hangers in Wardrobes

What are key success factors for hangers in wardrobes?

Factors that contribute to the usability of a hanger in a wardrobe include:

  1. Material: The material should be strong enough to support the weight of the clothing and durable enough to withstand repeated use.

  2. Size: The size should be appropriate for the type of clothing being hung and fit comfortably in the wardrobe.

  3. Shape: The shape should allow for easy access to the clothing and prevent the clothing from sliding off or becoming tangled.

  4. Hook design: The hook should be sturdy and allow for easy hanging and removal of the clothing.

  5. Space efficiency: The hanger should take up minimal space in the wardrobe to maximize storage capacity.

  6. Aesthetics: The hanger should be visually appealing and complement the aesthetic of the wardrobe.

  7. Price: The hanger should be affordably priced and provide good value for the cost.

In our wardrobe we have this one model of black hangers. - And I hate them for one reason!

Testing on above essential requirements:

1. Material: metal, black painted, ... all good - except that they make quite a bit of noise when hanging jackets or coats. The design makes them behave like a tuning fork in music.

2. Size: pretty much standard, ... all good - an given the lean design they are light enough.

3. Shape: basically there is no issue with the shape - except that one detail! - but let's cover that later.

4. Hook design: also here, basically no issue - it hangs very well to the wardrobe rail - except that one detail! - ...

5. Space efficiency: here, the model under discussion is exceptionally good. Absolutely no space is wasted on the rail.

6. Aesthetics: visually - I like it!

7. Price: for a designer piece, it was very affordable.

But now, that one usability issue which makes this product a total failure:

In the process of unhanging jackets I struggle each and every time with that little opening in the hanger, next to the hook. the way you would normally hang a hanger to the wardrobe rail, this opening is a true trap in the process!

    

Every time my jacket gets stuck and trapped in that little gap and if I do not rip a hole into the fabric of my jacket, I am at least well irritated and busy to get my jacket off.

Now, many people tell me - "don't stress out, just take both of you hands when taking a jacket off the hanger, or hang the hanger the other way around to the rail, ...".

NO! As a user I don't want to use both of my hands, because usually I have keys, a bag, or something else in my other hand. 

And, NO! I don't want to hang them the other way around. Why on earth should I?

In conclusion: another example of a household piece designed for aesthetics and not to serve its maximum purpose in the end user's process.

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