Leonard Verhoef
Dr. Leonard Verhoef, applied cognitive psychologist. For designing complex things. Not a designer.
Contact
Updated June 2017
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Background |
After primary school and teacher training college he studied educational psychology (University Utrecht) and applied experimental psychology (University Utrecht).
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Leonard Verhoef started his career as a cognitive psychologist investigating the development of human thinking. Now he is a psychological designer of ultimate cognitive psychology based interfaces for complex systems people use to perform cognitive tasks.
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Research on human thinking |
He started with research on the development of human thinking and the implementation of that knowledge in mathematics at school, a mathematics test. He took tried to find an answer on the question what is really wrong with today's interface design and interfaces like GUI's and Windows (and the Mac as well!). |
The answer is not: designers are to blame (as Norman suggests). Nor are the managers to blame (as Cooper suggests). He suggests to look at psychology. | The University of Leiden nominated Thomas Cool and Leonard Verhoef for
with their proposal for a
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Application of cognitive research |
GUI and web |  |  |
| Icon design |  |  |
| Public info public transport |  |  |
| Toekomst geld |  |  |
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| GUI and web |  |  |
| GUI and web |  |  |
| GUI and web |  |  |
| Icon design |  |  |
| Leren rekenen |  |  |
| Leren rekenen |  |  |
| Psychologie |  |  |
| Psychologie denken |  |  |
| Psychologie denken |  |  |
| Psychologie denken |  |  |
| Psychologie denken |  |  |
| Public info public transport |  |  |
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Interface requirements |
As a psychologist he participates in the development of systems for professionals (process operators, traffic controllers, high speed train drivers) and public information systems (travel information, ticket vending machines, travel planners). His focus is not readability but performing a task with complex systems. | He changed from a psychologist observing the problems after a system has been built to a psychologist specifying in advance how to build a system. As a consequence it is right from the beginning, there is little discussion and the system is effective. | An example of such a system is
Another well known design in which psychology was dictating the interface is the Netherlands Railways touch screen train ticket vending machine. This vending machine has not the traditional sequential and hierarchical (menu) structure but a parallel n-dimensional and orthogonal structure. That is unusual and sounds complicated, but people 92 years of age can use the machine without explanation and help of any kind. The way he applies experimental psychology is made public in the course
and in the course
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Interfaces based on psychology in the first place |
As a one man company he is able to develop his ideas on interface design with psychological processes as the only standard. By now he has developed several designs in which technology, marketing, Design and opinions of users do not disturb compatibility with psychological processes. So, userfriendlyness is no problem. What is next? |
Technology changes. It is difficult to predict what technology will offer. Psychological processes do not change. For him it is easy to specify requirements that fit psychological processes. The fundamentals of these processes do not change easily. Consequently, an interface based on these processes is sustainable.
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Applications of cognitive psychology: |
ICT |

| Verbeteren van GUI, web, usability, gebruiksvriendelijkheid, etc, met psychologie Wat vinden vingers, ogen, geheugen en vooral hersenen van: de desktop, metaforen, help, homepage, menu, Kiss, smart, personaliseren, pieptonen, etc? Hoe zien deze er uit wanneer zij de beste pasvorm hebben voor: ogen, vingers, geheugen en hersenen?
Met klik meer.
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| Public design |

| Ontwerp van info en apparaten voor OV-reizigers, automobilisten, voetgangers, schippers en vluchters Weinig kosten en veel winst bij het informeren van reizigers, automobilisten, schippers, wandelaars en vluchters. Psychologie en autonavigatie, beleving, bewegwijzering, dynamische vertrektijdenborden (nu en morgen), klanttevredenheid, OV-chipkaart, pictogrammen, nieuwe veiligheidsstrategie, reizigersonderzoek, verkeersborden, vertragingsinformatie.
Met klik meer.
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| Icon/sign design |

| Grammatica voor graphics: Begrijpelijke bordjes op straat, stations, auto-, wandel-, water- en vluchtwegen Een vergelijking van de huidige borden voor verkeersregels (weg-, rail-, water-), way finding en public signs met de kennis van:
- de antropologie, - de cognitieve psychologie, - de taalpsychologie.
En een experimentele vergelijking van die huidige borden met borden ontworpen volgens de kennis van:
- de antropologie, - de cognitieve psychologie en - de taalpsychologie.
Wat is het verschil in onduidelijkheden, misverstanden, leertijd en kijktijd en de omvang van (rij)examens.
Met klik meer.
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| Psychologie | 
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| Toekomst volgens psychologie |
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| Leren rekenen |  |
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| Hogesnelheidstrein (ERMTS) |  |
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| Wetenschappelijke verantwoording |  |
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Press |
Radio and television
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Paper press
Beaten M. (1991). Koffieboon kan het woord koffie niet vervangen, Interview met L. Verhoef. Trouw, no. Zaterdag 16 februari 1991. Berckel, F. van, (1990). Pictogram staat voor concessie en compromis, Interview met L. Verhoef. Design, vol. 4, no. 1, pag. 32-33. Bie, R. de, (1997). Treincomputer dingt mee naar designprijs. Koppeling, no. 354. Bowen, D.J. (1994). Dutch Eurodisplay may presage standard for HSR Cab Displays. High Speed Transport news, vol. 3, no. 4.
Commijs, H. (1988). 't Is niet eenvoudig geweest om het zover te krijgen, De Silhouette is simpel te bedienen. Rotterdam: Van NelleVan Nelle Grootverbruik Zakennieuws, vol. 3, no. 2, pag. 3.
Kwant, J., (2009). Snap je machine, Flow. Noë, F. (1993). Software-ergonomie blijft missiewerk. Automatiserings Gids, no 23 juli.
Ordelman, T. (1989). Een mens heeft meer dan alleen handen en voeten, Interview met L. Verhoef. Siemens Interview, trends in computers en communicatie, no. 34.
Velden, A. van der, (1990). De Kaartenmaker wil te veel en durft te weinig, interview. Het Parool, no. Zaterdag 6 oktober 1990, pag. 31. Verkaik-Smeets, (1991). Ergonomie van het gezonde verstand. PC+, no. 18 december, pag. 18-20. Vrijenhoef, H. (1979). Rekenonderwijs de kwantiwijzer: een diagnostisch instrumentarium voor het rekenonderwijs O4, maandblad voor de verzorging van het onderwijs. Vol. 9, no 11. pag. 2-5.
Weststrate, P. (1988). Er moet nog veel veranderen, Interview met L. Verhoef. Haagse Courant, vol. Zaterdag 30 april.
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Search in humanefficiency.nl | |
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Examples of designs he contributed to
Complex data
 Upper right red, Close to disaster
 All OK.  Upper right yellow low, take care!  Upper right yellow high, take care! Source: Verhoef Holslag, 2010.
 Source: LBS/Holslag Verhoef.
 Sourrce: Holslag Verhoef
 How much information can be in one smiley? Source: Verhoef Holslag, 2010.
Design of tables
 Graphics for aesthetics, OECD house style. Source: OECD quarterly growth table. http://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx
 No graphics, data only. Same data as previous table.
 Same data as previous table. Graphics for content. OECD, adapted by Verhoef for demo.
Design of scales
 One variable, six parameters, 233 milliseconds perception time.  An effective problem solving tool. Source: Holslag & Verhoef.
Portrait or landscape?
 What is better for a train traffic controler? portrait ... ...landscape?Source: Holslag & Verhoef. What is better for car driving? ... realistic landscape? Source: Tom Tom, 2010. alphanumerical portrait ...?In this case the best orientation is ...Source: Verhoef, 2010. abstract portrait ...? Source: ETCS/Verhoef.
Train traffic controlHow to present tracks and platforms?
This way?
Or this way?Source: NS/Verhoef.
Screen design public transport
Design of train indicators
Trains indicator Amsterdam approx. 1990-2010
|  Experimental design destinations indicator. Source: Verhoef. |
Design ticket vending NS touch screen train ticket vending machine Routing problems solved using ...
 Ticket vending machine. Language optionfirst step (hierarchical solution)? Source: Belgium Railways.
 Ticket vending machine. Change language any time (parallel solution). Source: NS/ Verhoef.

It looks like a menu. However, no hierarchical steps. What is the structure?"
Which button is to help whizzkids and it-specialists? Source: NS/Verhoef.
 The train ticket vending machine solution is general applicable. It also can be used for complex drink vending machines. Source: Verhoef.
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High speed train driving ETCS, (European Train Control System)
Experimental speedometers

Analog classical experimental clock design Train speed: 192. Maximum permitted speed 200. Next target permitted speed 40. Good for general maintain speed task, bad for planning and when close to intervention.
Analog design, screen version
 Diagrammatic design, vertical version. Braking curve should not touch maximum permitted speed curve. The tongue below should
fit
in the pipe above.
Good
for planning and
insight,
bad when
close to
intervention.
 Diagrammatic design, horizontal version. Comparable with vertical version.
 Animated design Braking curve should not touch max permitted
speed
curve. The “vehicle”
in front should not be too close. Good when close to intervention, bad for planning and insight.
 Speed and safety information for high speed train drivers. The one that is now
standard.
Source: ETCS/Verhoef.
To top of this list of pictures.
Consistency
 Cab with inconsistent interfaces. Visible, even at low resolution. Inconsistent presentation and input of: date, time, numbers, colours, enter procedures, control of attention.
 Cab with consistent
interfaces. No differences in
presentation and input of:
date, time, numbers, colours,
enter procedures, control of
attention.

Consistent icon design.
The graphic elements can
be
combined for current
functions and for functions
to be developped. The
graphic elements are like
words. Designers can create
new sentences. Drivers
knowing the elements can
understand new
combinations
of
words/icons.
To top of this list of pictdures.
Use of colours

Same use of colours for all information. Colour is used for control of attention.
 Use of colour, white: no braking curve.
 Use of colour, yellow:
brake
shortly.

Use of colour, orange:
brake now!!

Use of colour, red:
brake
too late, intervention.
This use of colour for
control of user's attention
can be used for any systems,
for instance for passengers
and teachers.
To top of mmi concepts list.
Planning
 At the right maximum train speed profile ahead. Lower
maximum speed at 1000m.
The planning design was based on the experimental diagrammatic design
(see above).
Time to intervention The small square at the top left shows that there is sufficient time to safety system brake intervention.

Train braking curve is close to safety braking curve. The square top left shows time to intervention of the safety system. Time to intervention depends on maximum permitted speed minus current speed and the traction/ brake application. When looking outside the square is in the visal periphery but will be noticed when it comes up because: the periphery is sensitive for changes, for high contrast changes and the square is at the top of the screen. This design was based on the experimental animated design (see above).
Nautical screens
Current signs,
European standard(Cevni) signs,
experimental signs.
Underwater tresshold in lock

The problem
 Several markers for keep clear from doors. Source: Lock Kiel canal, 2011.

A clear text and sign for
the cill problem.
Keep clear from the door. Source: UK.

An other clear sign
for the cill problem.
Keep 1 meter clear
from the lock door. Source: experimental demo design,
Verhoef, 2011
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Underwater tresshold
under bridge

Source: Amsterdam,
near Central Station, 2011.
This is a Cevni sign.

A lateral tresshold sign that is understood. Source: experimental demo design, Verhoef, 2011.
Mooring sign

Current sign. Source: Enkhuizen,
The Netherlands, 2011.

Source: Vienna, 2011.
Redesign Source: Verhoef demo, 2011.
Dam sign
What is the meaning
of this Cevni sign? Source: Belgium Ardennes, 2011.
This sign stands for:
dam in 100 meter.
Source: experimental demo design,
Verhoef, 2011.
Shallow shore sign

What is the meaning
of the black arrow
pointing left and the
white arrow
pointing right? Source: Hamburg, 2011.
Cevni sign.

Keep 5 meter from shore,
shallow shore. Source: experimental demo design,
Verhoef, 2011.
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