Attention

People don’t always pay full attention to the task at hand. Some activities require a person’s full attention, while others can be completed while “multitasking” because they require minimal effort. Depending on the setting, people may be distracted while completing certain activities. A parent who is driving a car with a screaming child in the back seat may not be able to pay full attention to the traffic around them. A welder wearing ear protection and eye protection may be very focused on their work because they understand the severe consequences of making a mistake while welding and also because their senses have been reduced, removing some distractions. Both internal thoughts and external stimuli can impact how much attention a person can pay to their activities. Sometimes, designers can help improve focus by reducing distractions or simplifying designed interfaces. When designing products, services, and systems, consider how much attention a person may be able to give when completing an activity.