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Buttons Archives

October 14, 2006

Globe Toy


Globe Toy, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

Boom Box Controls


Boom Box Controls, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

Keyboard Consol


Keyboard Consol, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

Dishwasher


Dishwasher, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

Oven


Oven, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

Not the best design to have to reach over the burners to control the oven.

Cordless Phone


Cordless Phone, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

The "find handset" button is clever. The designers realized that the phone part often gets lost and is annoying.

October 15, 2006

Security Alarm Control Panel


Security Alarm Control Panel, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

October 16, 2006

Security System Panel


Security System Panel, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

Love the giant A, Z, and Call buttons here.

Motorcycle Hand Controls


Motorcycle Hand Controls, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

Probably a lot can be discovered and utilized from the multiple buttons and levers of a typical motorcycle's hand controls. Imagine a mouse as functional.

Intercom


Intercom, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

A pattern of buttons, although only one is pressable.

October 17, 2006

Apartment Building Doorbells


Apartment Building Doorbells, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

Note the USPS Bar Code label at the bottom.

Laundromat Dryer Control Panel


Laundromat Dryer Control Panel, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

Laundromat Washer Control Panel


Laundromat Washer Control Panel, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

Not sure how/why some of the bulbs burned through the plastic buttons...

October 19, 2006

Push Button For


Push Button For, originally uploaded by Chico Gino.

via Gino Zahnd

October 20, 2006

Hidden Dishwasher Controls


Hidden Dishwasher Controls, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

Only visible by opening the dishwasher.

Coffee Maker


Coffee Maker, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

These icons are pretty incomprehensible to me, but then I don't drink coffee. (Apologies for the lousy photo.)

Motorcycle Parking Meter


Motorcycle Parking Meter, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

Yes, that's me in the reflection. Sigh.

October 24, 2006

Numeric Door Lock


Numeric Door Lock, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

Press to Exit


Press to Exit, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

Fire Alarm Control Panel


Fire Alarm Control Panel, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

October 26, 2006

Airline Boarding Pass Reader


Airline Boarding Pass Reader, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

People don't appreciate taking pictures of equipment in airports, I've found.

October 27, 2006

Elevator Buttons by Touch

via Nat Boehm.

"What I wanted to bring your attention to is that the numbers are duplicated - there’s a number on the actual button and then a raised number above the button.

Why?

My guess is that due to the nature of the intended use of the raised number - that is, to be read through touch - that if the raised letter were on the button then a person may accidentally trigger the button whilst attempting to read the button and figure out what the button will do once pressed."

How, though, does a visually-impared user know if the label is above or below the button they want to push?

October 28, 2006

Chromatic Tuner


Chromatic Tuner, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

Input is an internal microphone. When the played note is on pitch, the light is green.

October 29, 2006

Mini-Bulldozer Joystick (left)


Mini-Bulldozer Joystick (left), originally uploaded by odannyboy.

I really like the clarity of the controls diagram.

November 3, 2006

Hand Scanner Lock


Hand Scanner Lock, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

Apologies for the blurry photo, but had to be taken quickly. Note the hand diagram. I bet we're going to see a lot of this sort of thing.

Programmable Safe


Programmable Safe, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

Hotel Room Phone


Hotel Room Phone, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

Parking Payment, Toronto Street


Parking Payment, Toronto Street, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

Love the "Maximum Time" button, since that's probably what most people do most of the time when parking at a meter.

November 4, 2006

This Button Not In Use


Just for decoration, originally uploaded by Jennifer Whitehead.

Wow.

November 5, 2006

Emergency Stop


AFS-060748.jpg, originally uploaded by Alex Segre.

"Red emergency stop button on industrial machine in a factory."

Server Call Button


call button on the table, originally uploaded by akaitori.

In an Osaka restaurant, according to the photographer.

Japanese Crosswalk Button


face, originally uploaded by mellific.

The display politely reads "Please wait a moment."

High Fidelity


High Fidelity, originally uploaded by drp.

Delta Air Lines Cockpit. 757?


Delta Air Lines Cockpit. 757?, originally uploaded by garyhymes.

Be sure to view this photo in Flickr to see all the controls detailed out. Very cool.

Sex Machine


Sex Machine, originally uploaded by www.DaveWard.net.

View larger in Flickr to read the button labels. No comment on the form.

Toilet Control Panel


remote-controlled toilet, originally uploaded by takejiro.

Photographer says: "These are the controls of the toilet in a restaurant in Ginza. Most of the toilets in Tokyo are remote-controlled. You can control the strength of the splashing water. I even saw one with a "flushing sound" button."

November 6, 2006

Toaster Oven Control Panel


Toaster Oven Control Panel, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

Emergency Telephone Button


Emergency Telephone Button, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

Love the "Help Is On The Way" light.

November 7, 2006

Espresso Buttons


Espresso Buttons, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

I think I understand these icons...

Tech.Know.Logical.023


Tech.Know.Logical.023, originally uploaded by root2.

Rhode & Schwartz dc power supply.

November 9, 2006

Korg Oscilloscope Panel


Korg oscilloscope panel, originally uploaded by pureCaffeine.

"Korg EA-1 Mk II analog modeling synthesizer. Portamento is how quickly it changes pitch so you can play it like a piano or make it sound like a siren. The rest is for the two oscilloscopes and the type of each and how they interact with each other (modulation). Also can patch in the audio in, instead of Osc 1."

November 11, 2006

Decaf


Decaf, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

When there are multiple coffee machines, how can you tell which one is decaf? A label, apparently.

Muni Kiosk Display


Muni Kiosk Display, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

What does the button marked with the handicapped icon do? And the repeat button? And the numbers below each of the buttons? And the unused buttons? What a mess.

November 13, 2006

Dr. Beat


Dr. Beat, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

November 14, 2006

Digital Thermostat


Digital Thermostat, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

Coffee Maker Controls


Coffee Maker Controls, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

Optional Safety Switch


optional safety, originally uploaded by out of ideas.

Redundancy


Redundancy, originally uploaded by Will Pate.

Awesome.

Bike Crossing Button


P1010032, originally uploaded by Mayu ;P.

November 20, 2006

Canon 400d Screen and Controls


Canon 400d screen and controls, originally uploaded by Dazecoop.

November 26, 2006

Super Pump Panel


super-pump_panel, originally uploaded by sillydog.

Hotel Radio

This interface, since travelers won't know the stations or their frequency in a new city, makes perfect sense.

November 29, 2006

Speed Queen


Speed Queen, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

Love the instructions with cute icons.

Dryer Controls


Dryer Controls, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

Interesting there needs to be an "available" light, that the control panel isn't just unlit.

November 30, 2006

Solid State 8-Track Stereo


Groovy interface, originally uploaded by birdahonk.

Groovy indeed.

December 3, 2006

ACD Button


coolest button ever, originally uploaded by ugly hugo.

Is this a button or a switch? A switch would make more sense, because you could push it forward for front-wheel drive and back for rear-wheel drive.

Panic Button


panicbutton_640x480, originally uploaded by Emo Squid.

Panic!

Control for Heating/Cooling


IMG_2260, originally uploaded by mikepirnat.

Possibly from a winery.

December 9, 2006

Pay Here


Pay Here, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

If you need a sign that says "Important Please Read" pointing to another sign, chances are it's not very well designed.

Danger Crushing Hazard


Hydrolic Lift Controls, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

IDT Prepaid Phone Card Machine


IDT Prepaid Phone Card Machine, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

"Press Product Button to Begin." Wouldn't "Choose Dollar Amount" (like the other instructions say) be better directions?

Robo Coffee


Robo Coffee, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

Also makes tea and hot chocolate ("Choco").

Buttons


Buttons, originally uploaded by peterme.

Bar cash register. What a mess!

December 20, 2006

Water Dispenser


Work Water Dispenser, originally uploaded by dorkshoe.

Does a water dispenser need an interface this complicated?

One Armed Bandit


My new best friend, originally uploaded by mrlerone.

Old Pedestrian Lights Button


Old Pedestrian Lights Button, originally uploaded by JayJay04.

Elevator Buttons


Elevator buttons, originally uploaded by DaPi ♫.

Apparently you can only go to certain floors...

Call for Elevator


20061215135546 w810i, originally uploaded by plasticstare.

Another example of good design from BART.

Strange Elevator Buttons in Paris


Strange Elevator Buttons in Paris, originally uploaded by akenin.

Oh those wacky French.

January 1, 2007

Stove and Oven Control Panel


Stove Control Panel, originally uploaded by odannyboy.

It's complicated to operate a stove these days.

Frequency Switches


Frequency Switches, originally uploaded by lexus1299.

In an air traffic control tower.

Car-Ferry Control Panel


IMG_0381, originally uploaded by Load.Error.

Hotel Room Controls


controls, originally uploaded by c'est gerber.

In an Indian hotel.

Wii Controller


Control Clásico para Wii, originally uploaded by fentrena.

The more "traditional" one.

January 20, 2007

Railroad Engineer's Control Station


controls, originally uploaded by paulsid.

"The button marked "Alerter Reset" is more commonly known as a "dead-man's switch", and must be pressed before two minutes has elapsed with no other controls operated."

Fancy Toilet Computer


Fancy toilet computer, originally uploaded by barbarellaj5.

Mitsubishi Jet Bridge Control Panel

January 22, 2007

Maytag Washer Interface


temp/spin options, originally uploaded by gordonr.

February 4, 2007

Pennsylvania Lottery Machine


, originally uploaded by AntiChrist1996.

I suppose you have to know what the different types of lottery tickets you can buy are--the interface doesn't really tell you.

Wurlitzer


Wurlitzer, originally uploaded by bcostin.

Monroe Adding Calculator


Monroe Adding Calculator, originally uploaded by egcd32.

Interesting that clear ("enter") buttons are often on the right.

Home Pong Game


Anyone for tennis?, originally uploaded by Nick Lawes.

1970s Calculator: Elka 103


70s calculator elka 103, originally uploaded by bay m.

A rare Bulgarian made calculator, with soviet components inside. The M button means it has some sort of memory...

Sinclair ZX81 Keys


For Sinclair fans, originally uploaded by rvnix.

This was my first computer (albeit a "Timex Sinclair" in the US.

Olympia RAE4-15


Olympia RAE4-15, originally uploaded by teclasorg.

Canon Canola1614P


Canon Canola1614P, originally uploaded by teclasorg.

I love the font on the display numbers.

Big Buttons


I forget the machine, originally uploaded by peterme.

Beer Control


Beer Control, originally uploaded by complexify (David Gilford).

February 21, 2007

Lights Controls on an Organ


Lights!, originally uploaded by aqhejmanowski.

From the description: This is a pull-out panel on the left side of the organ console. The numbered buttons are a control panel for the sanctuary's light system, allowing the organist to control the lights from the organ console.

GVG 200 Control Panel


GVG 200 Control Panel, originally uploaded by g7odd.

A video production switcher. I love the "Fail-Safe" feel of this panel, with its differently lit buttons.

Missile Silo Monitoring Station


Monitoring station, originally uploaded by Airstream Life.

Check out the Titan Missile diagram. Also: I see a rotary phone dialer, but where is the handset?

Bathtub Control Panel


Bathtub control panel., originally uploaded by gak.

In Japan of course. From a comment: "Once you've selected the temperature and the tub volume, press the two bottom buttons and plug up the bath. 10-15 minutes later, your bath has been perfectly drawn."

March 22, 2007

Airport Gate Controls


Airport gate controls, originally uploaded by TPower.

Digital Interface Tester


Controlfreak #8, originally uploaded by Sameli.

Any ideas what this is? Neat looking, whatever it is.

Air Traffic Control Station


Controlfreak #7, originally uploaded by Sameli.

April 27, 2007

Miele Slimline Dishwasher Controls


incognito dishwasher, originally uploaded by j_dangergirl.

The space makes it impossible to have much more than buttons.

CNC Control Panel


CNC Control Panel2, originally uploaded by raytube.

No idea what this is. Looks like it is circa 1985.

StrippitTurrentPunch


StrippitTurrentPunch, originally uploaded by raytube.

Used for punching parts out of sheet metal.

Nagoya Washer + Dryer Control Panel

Wow, so complicated.

Rabbits and Snails Label


Rabbits and snails, originally uploaded by m.fedoseev.

Love the illustrations for labels!

Gatherer and Binder


Binder control panel, originally uploaded by m.fedoseev.

Red Baron Arcade Game Controls


Red Baron control panel, originally uploaded by dan10things.

I don't remember this game.

May 6, 2007

Hospital Bed Remote Control


Goodbye button friends, originally uploaded by Kimblahg.

Love the icons, especially the "I'm in pain" one.

May 14, 2007

Taiwan Airport Toilet Controls


Toilet control panel, originally uploaded by jtu.

Disney World Monorail Controls


monorail control, originally uploaded by steevil.

Nearly all digital, except for the giant red stop button.

May 17, 2007

Vtech Little PC Fun


IMGP5870, originally uploaded by mikek.

No keyboard on this toy. All about the slider and some buttons. With that small screen, it is almost like a mobile phone!

Precomputer 1000


IMGP7597.JPG, originally uploaded by mikek.

Note the colored keys. And the handle!

By god, that is one tiny screen.

Exploratoy


IMGP7831.JPG, originally uploaded by mikek.

A little smaller and this could be a neat form factor for a mobile device.

Vsmile


A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by mikek.

I don't know what this is.

May 24, 2007

Cherry Picker Controls


^ < < < \ / * &$#!, originally uploaded by BrittneyBush.

Wow, what in the world does this diagram mean?

Portable Oxygen Tank Controls

Car Wash Buttons


Car Wash Series: 4_Button Box, originally uploaded by deaMax.

June 13, 2007

Toyota Auris 2007 Dashboard


Toyota Auris 2007, originally uploaded by Titanas.

A car with modes!

Music Controls


Music controls, originally uploaded by mag3737.

Crane Controls


CONTROLS CRANE, originally uploaded by under ground over ground.

Amazing how simple these are for such a large and powerful object that can be extremely dangerous.

Old Subway Controls


Underground controls, originally uploaded by cycleologist.

In a museum in Glasgow.

Bridge of the Viking Sun


Bridge of the Viking Sun, originally uploaded by MomLes.

"That little joystick-wheel is how the captain steers the ship."

June 19, 2007

Refrigerant Management Center


refrigerant management center, originally uploaded by DCvision2006.

BionX Electric Motor Control Module

August 28, 2007

Atomic Coaster Controls


atomic coaster, originally uploaded by doublelibra.

Hard to tell if the red panel are buttons or a display. Guessing they are for emergency use by the operator in case the coaster is in trouble.

Cluttered Analogue Instrumentation Un-refurbished Class 318 Train


Old Office, originally uploaded by Pgcc.

Look at the Flickr photo to see all the notes on this one. Everything is mapped out.

The Basics


start-stop-reverse, originally uploaded by obo-bobolina.

Start, Stop, Reverse.

Japanese Toilet Control Pad


IMG_3615, originally uploaded by ultraclay!.

This is probably the nicest one of these I've seen yet. They are usually overly complicated.

October 4, 2007

Garwood Controls


left control, originally uploaded by gffryedw.

Colorful.

Boat Buttons


Boat Buttons, originally uploaded by penfifteenclub.

Piste Basher Cockpit


At the controls, originally uploaded by petes_travels.

This is the inside of one of those giant snow groomers. Cool. Looks pretty complicated, with those two joysticks on the right.

Lexus LS600hL with RX400h * Double "h" * Rear-Seat Audio Controls

October 6, 2007

Mixer


Controlfreak #11, originally uploaded by Sameli.

Aircraft Navigation Equipment?


Controlfreak #10, originally uploaded by Sameli.

Data Entry


Data entry, originally uploaded by Sameli.

Only 1-7 and 0. Wonder what this was for.

October 23, 2007

ATV Throttle


All the Control You Need, originally uploaded by The Jer.

Ye Olde Airplane Passenger Basic Controls


2007056, originally uploaded by bruce bigtimber.

You know, the ergonomics of these kind of suck. If you are elderly, how do you reach up to adjust the air flow? It requires some detail hand work and these things never work very well--it is difficult to get the right flow of air aimed in the right place. Especially since you have to change your position to adjust the air, then when you sit down you have to test to see whether it is hitting the right spot on you or not, often requiring more adjustment, etc.

September 20, 2010

Lexus LS600hL with RX400h * Double "h" * Rear-Seat Audio Controls

September 2, 2011

Road Runner Game

Road Runner Complete Control Panel

About NIBIT

No Ideas But In Things is a library of controls, animations, layouts, and displays that might be a source of inspiration for interaction designers. Dan Saffer is the curator.

The title comes from a William Carlos Williams poem.

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This page contains an archive of all entries posted to No Ideas But In Things in the Buttons category. They are listed from oldest to newest.

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