Good UX in Industrial Systems Isn’t Just About Looks — It’s About Clarity, Usability, and Reducing Human Error
As factories embrace Industry 4.0, automated control systems and IoT integration are becoming the new standard in manufacturing. Yet one critical element is often overlooked: User Experience (UX) — the key to making these systems truly effective.
At CIMCO, our UX team recently had the opportunity to design mockups for a new automated factory control system. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how we approached this challenge.
1. Understanding User Complexity (User Persona)
UX doesn’t start with screens — it starts with people.
For this project, we studied multiple user groups:
- Operators on the shop floor who need fast, simple interactions
- Engineers / Maintenance staff who require detailed technical data
- Supervisors / Managers who need a high-level overview of operations
We conducted workshops with real users and shadowed their work in the factory to uncover pain points in existing systems, such as:
- Overloaded screens with too much data
- Too many steps to reach critical functions
- Technical jargon that’s too complex for operators
2. Designing to Prevent Errors — Not Just to Look Good
In industrial environments, even small mistakes can lead to major consequences. That’s why our design focused on:
- Systematic use of color: Red = alert, Yellow = pending, Green = normal
- Error-prevention UI: Confirmation dialogs before stopping conveyor belts
- Card-based dashboards: Clear separation of key data to reduce cognitive overload
- Touchscreen-friendly UI: Optimized for tablet use, even with gloves on
3. Tools & Process We Used
- Canva for wireframes and interactive prototypes
- CIMCO’s internal component library to ensure design consistency
- UX testing with real users: We tested mockups with production staff and iterated based on their feedback before handing off to developers
4. Lessons Learned from This Project
- Business understanding is the heart of UX: Without knowing the factory’s workflow, you can’t design a truly useful interface
- Never assume what users want: What seems convenient to us may not work for operators racing against time
- Test early, test often: Don’t wait until it’s “done” — test mockups from the start
Conclusion
UX in industrial systems isn’t just about modern design — it’s about crafting experiences that understand users, minimize errors, and enhance operational efficiency.
At CIMCO, we believe that technology can only change the world when it truly understands people.
If you’re interested in industrial UX systems or want our team to study your operations and design a solution tailored to your organization, feel free to reach out. 😊