A better HMI designer in 7×10 minutes

The SIMATIC controller from Siemens has been the flagship in mechanical engineering for 60 years. Filling. Milling. Packaging. Every day, thousands of users worldwide interact with an operating panel from the SIMATIC HMI family from Siemens. These range from push-button devices for simple applications to large touchscreens for the operation of more complex applications.

The design of the digital HMI interface is primarily the responsibility of the company engineers who design a wide variety of machines based on SIMATIC. User-centred HMI design quickly becomes a challenge outside of their own core competences – with consequences for the subsequent user experience and productivity.

We show how 42 tips and a targeted, scalable design offensive can change the world of HMI panels and guide customers towards good design. Through our practical approach and the provision of modular HMI building blocks, we enable the simple realisation of user-friendly and efficient interfaces.

Our methods not only provide a clear overview, but also concrete implementation guidelines to achieve immediately visible improvements. This not only helps to sustainably optimise day-to-day work in production halls worldwide and significantly increase productivity, but also ensures the satisfaction of all stakeholders. In addition, comprehensive training and support can ensure that every engineer acquires the necessary skills to design modern, user-friendly HMIs.

This initiative promotes a culture of good design in the long term, which has a positive impact on the entire industry.