[BC] Dealing with the Brain Challenged

[Mike McCarthy]

There is a balance to designing a studio.  In most stations these days,
the engineer and studios outlast most PD's, formats, and virtually every
user of the studio. What's more, each user has their own philosophy of
ergonomics and functionality. It's up to the engineer (and
consultants/architects if they're retained) to take that into account when
designing the "user interface" aspect of the studio or TOC.

Broadcasting even at the small cluster level is emerging into TOC centric
type environment where the typical operator is no longer in front of a
classic board. They're now piloting a ship of sorts in a "bridge" and the
functional layout needs to reflect that new operational philosophy. Remote
controls, EAS, et al. are being pulled from the shared or multi-use
stuidios.

99% of the PD's and operators haven't a CLUE as to how they'd react or
work in that more centered environment. As a result designers are working
from a generally clean slate, but need to take cues from networks, large
systems TOC's (both in and out of broadcasting) as many functions are
similar to what DOESN'T work in general.

Most operational habits are formed from working within a specific
environment designed BEFORE the users ever stepped into the room. It's
based on engineers' vision. As Boeing found out later, their cockpits
needed some functional overhauling going into the next generation of
aircraft. BUT, many of the things done over the years stuck and were held
over  as "That's how it's always been done, it works, leave it alone"
attitude despite seemingly disjointed functionaility. That same philosophy
still holds true in broadcasting.  At least until the users figure out the
new way/layout is in fact actually better than to what they've become
accustomed.

MM

>> How about engineers who "didn't get it" when designing a technical
>> showplace of a studio that no one can comfortably work in?
>
> Whenever I design or rebuild a studio I always ask
> "What do YOU want in the studio? How do YOU
> want it to be laid out? Where do YOU want the
> sources to appear on the pots?, etc." The talent,
> not I, have to work in that studio. I am going to
> build it the way YOU want it, not the way I think it
> should be (despite having been a DJ in the distant past).
> BK. Have it YOUR way!
>
> Boeing employed this philosophy in the design of the
> 777. They asked pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and
> others involved in the daily operation of the aircraft for
> input and feedback. OTOH, another arm of Boeing
> designed the border security for the Arizona/Mexico
> border. It is a debacle. Laptops in vehicles don't cut
> it in the rough road surface, sand in the keyboards, etc.
> Dr. Laura specified her own wishes for call screening
> software/display. A number one class talk show is the
> result. (I just had to put that in for Rich).
>
> Tom Osenkowsky, CPBE