Good Design: Beer Dispenser

Beer Dispenser

I found this beer dispenser when I was during a vacation in California. It was in a restaurant that also provide alcoholic beverage to customers.

The designer well considered both the usability and the aesthetic of the dispenser. The size and the position of the handled hint the user that he has to operate by hand. The spaces between handles give the sense of direction to operate. These two are quite common in this kind of appliance.

However, special characteristic of the dispenser that I would like to point out is the appearance of the handles. Shape and colors of each handle represent the brand of the beers. For sure, one reason is beauty. Another reason may be marketing. Moreover, from the usability point of view, the different shape of the handles also prevents user from mistakes. The user who frequently use the dispenser can easily find out if he wrongly pick a handle by the feeling from his hand. He will notice the error before he actually operate it. The different of shape of handles is also applied for equipments in operations that mistakes are unacceptable such as power plants.