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CRITIQUE #10
Staple Remover

The 2 figures above show 2 different staple pin removers. In this critique I have compared the 2 removers as I evaluate them using Nielsen’s 10 Usability Heuristic:
Visibility of system status/ Match between system and the real world:
Both the staple removers do not indicate their functions when presented to any user without giving a brief description about the device.
A first glance at the device makes user say that it may be used for fixing screws or nuts and bolts.
Affordances:
Once given that the devices shown in the figure are staple remover, Staple Remover in Fig A, lets the user use it in only one directon i.e. the user has to fix the curved part on the mouth of this staple remover in the stappled pin on the paper and try to pull it up.
However for staple remover in fig B, a few users use it upside down and release this after the document is a little damaged due to wrongly using the device.
Error prevention:
For both the staple remover there is no error prevention and user knows that he erred only when the document is torn or a little damaged.
Flexibility and efficiency of use:
The staple remover in fig A is easy to get hold of the pin because of the curved projection at the mouth of the device as shown in red circle marked 1 in the figure below . However due to circular handle the movement is restricted if the paper is placed on table or any other surface or even when simple held in hand, the handle is not comfortable if paper is below it.


For staple remover B, the handles have a rubber padding give a better grip and due to the handle design highlighted by red circle in the figure below is a little easier to use.

Aesthetic and minimalist design:
Look for both the staple removers is nice and the staple remover B was labelled elegant and complicated when compared to staple remover A when asked to a few RIT students
Help and documentation:
There should be a label on both the devices which state that they are staple remover as many people unaware of it may end up using pen or pencils to remove pins from stapled papers instead of this device which may be lying just next to the device.