User centricity – focusing on the target group

This article is part of the series Futureproof HMIs.

Those who consistently adopt the perspective of the user not only develop more intuitive interfaces, but also save costs for training, support, and troubleshooting in the long term.

At a time when skilled workers are in short supply and product cycles are short, good usability becomes a real competitive advantage. It increases efficiency, reduces error rates, and makes products more successful.

💡 User-centered design is therefore not an additional service—it is a key quality feature of digital industrial products.

• What is user-centered design?
  • Focus on the needs, abilities, and goals of actual users
  • Observation of real-life usage situations
  • Designing with people, not against them
• Why is this particularly relevant in an industrial environment?
  • Heterogeneous user groups (installers, operators, maintenance personnel, etc.)
  • Different levels of experience and workloads
  • High demands on reliability and safety
• What happens without user-centered design?
  • Operating errors, frustration, significantly longer training times
  • Training costs, workarounds (informal operation)
  • People must subordinate themselves to technology
• What are the concrete benefits of user-centered design?
  • Shorter training periods, less downtime
  • Less support required
  • Satisfied users with greater motivation at work
  • Higher acceptance = better utilization = better ROI

Developing a future-proof user interface requires more than just technological expertise—above all, it requires a change of perspective. The design of industrial HMIs still often follows a purely product-oriented approach. However, especially in environments where efficiency, safety, and reliability are crucial, a user-centered approach is essential.

User-centered design means consistently placing the needs, requirements, and abilities of operators at the heart of the design process. The goal is to create HMIs that are intuitive, efficient, and pleasant to use – even under stress, time pressure, or in shift operation. This requires a deep understanding of the usage situation: In what environment is the machine operated? What are the main tasks? What challenges and goals do users have?

Answers are provided by analyzing the usage context, ideally through participant observation and interviews. Only on this basis can the functions of the interface be tailored to real requirements – instead of relying on assumptions.

The DIN EN ISO 9241-210 standard offers a proven methodological approach. It describes four key steps for user-centered development:

• Analysis of the usage context
• Derivation of usage requirements
• Development of prototypes
• Evaluation through usability tests

In the second step, user roles are defined, tasks are prioritized, and operating procedures are structured. With the help of scenarios and user stories, the future user experience becomes tangible even before development begins. Based on this, clickable prototypes are created—e.g., with tools such as Figma—which can be used to simulate and test typical usage situations. This allows particularly critical processes to be examined in a targeted manner. The results of the usability tests are directly incorporated into further development – in an iterative improvement process that ensures that operating problems are identified and rectified at an early stage.

The benefits of this approach are proven – both qualitatively and economically:

• Shorter training times
• Fewer operating errors = greater safety & fewer downtimes
• Reduced training & support costs
• Higher acceptance and productivity

The competition for skilled workers in particular shows that intuitively operable systems are preferred. Those who can expect the same quality of operation they are accustomed to from consumer products also accept new machines much more quickly. User-centered design thus has a direct impact on the economic efficiency and innovative strength of industrial products.

At the same time, intensive examination of real user needs creates additional added value: companies recognize innovation potential at an early stage – for example, through new operating concepts, assistance functions, or process simplifications.

Last but not least, emotional factors also play a role. A good HMI is simply more enjoyable to use – and this effect should not be underestimated. Satisfaction, identification, and motivation increase – a psychological competitive advantage that should not be neglected.

Important: Good usability is not an accessory – it is the basis for every successful interface. An attractive design cannot compensate for weaknesses in usability. Conversely, good design only becomes effective when the user experience is also convincing. In the best case, form and function complement each other – and make the interface a real differentiator.

User centricity is not a trend, but a decisive strategic lever for better products – and motivated people at the machine.

Consistently focusing on users is challenging—especially when under time and cost pressure. This is exactly where HELIO comes in: As a modular UI platform, HELIO was designed from the ground up so that usability is not left to chance, but is structurally considered.

• Proven UX components: Instead of starting from scratch every time, application developers can draw on proven, user-friendly UI building blocks – including interaction behavior, states, and responsive layout.
• Clear design system: HELIO automatically ensures consistent user guidance through consistent design principles – regardless of device, display size, or user role.
• Adaptability to roles & contexts: Interfaces can be tailored to specific users, such as setup personnel, operators, or service teams.
• High development & testing speed: Integrated preview functions and configuration options allow ideas to be quickly visualized and tested with real users – in line with rapid prototyping for iterative usability optimization.

💡 HELIO takes the pressure off development teams because it delivers good usability as standard – and doesn't have to be reinvented for every project.

User-centered design is the key to successful industrial user interfaces. By focusing on the needs and working environments of users, intuitive, efficient, and safe user interfaces are created. This increases acceptance, productivity, and long-term success.

HMI Projects Usage-oriented design process
Customized solutions that work and inspire
hmi-project.com/en/services

Best Practice – Presentation of UX expertise at HMI Project
Information about user-centered design and UX methods.
hmi-project.com/services/hmiproject-bestpractice-en.pdf

How HELIO supports your user-centered approach
HELIO comes with intelligent UX components and ensures professional UX design.
helio-hmi.com/en/features

Design system & UX patterns in the HELIO Editor
Description of the systematically structured design system and how it enables good UX.
docs.helio-hmi.com/docs/reference/design-system

UX components in HELIO: structure, behavior, states
Overview of ready-to-use components, interactions, and layouts.
docs.helio-hmi.com/docs/guides/modularity/components

Modeling user roles & user context
Instructions for adapting interfaces to different user groups.
docs.helio-hmi.com/docs/guides/access-control/define-hmi-user-roles

Rapid prototyping & usability testing with HELIO
Functions for rapid testing and iteration in the development process.
docs.helio-hmi.com/docs/getting-started/build-your-first-hmi/preview-hmi

HMI Project Showreel
vimeo.com/850862118

Case Study “SIG CRUISER” – Interface for SIG NEO Filling Lines
vimeo.com/649684352

HELIO Showreel
vimeo.com/883878257

FAQ Fridays #1: What exactly is HELIO?
vimeo.com/852495190

What makes HELIO unique?
https://vimeo.com/883907990

Ergonomics of human-system interaction - DIN EN ISO 9241-110
Interaction principles between a user and a system in general terms
din.de/de/mitwirken/normenausschuesse/naerg/veroeffentlichungen/wdc-beuth:din21

Jakob Nielsen's “10 Usability Heuristics”
Ten fundamental, practical design principles
nngroup.com/articles/ten-usability-heuristics

Methods & Tools
Practical overview of key methods and tools for user-centered design
germanupa.de/wissen/methoden-werkzeuge

Certified Usability Engineer
Continuing education program offered by Fraunhofer FIT
usability-ux.fit.fraunhofer.de/de/weiterbildung/usability-engineer.html

This article is part of the series:

Future-proof HMIs – Success factors for industrial user interfaces with vision

1. User-centered approach
Those who focus on people rather than products not only get more satisfied users, but also better products.

2. Technological future-proofing
Web technology is leading the way because it offers a huge user base, established standards, and open interfaces.
Read More

3. Process and resource efficiency
Efficient HMIs don't happen by chance—they happen through clear processes, the right tools, and good role distribution.
Read More

4. Independence & scalability
When creating industrial HMIs, you should not tie yourself to suppliers or hardware. Independence is key, and here's why:
Read More

5. There is only one team
Successful HMIs are not created by tools or technology alone—they are created through genuine collaboration.
Read more

6. Practical sense
This is our ultimate ingredient for building future-proof HMIs. The best part is that it is usually already built in at the factory.
Read More