Concept and characteristics of safety information design that reflects human characteristics

In design studies, there has been extensive prior research on accident and disaster prevention, but it mainly focuses on visualization methods to improve visibility. Most accidents and disasters are caused by human factors. However, there is little design research that considers human characteristics that manifest in dangerous situations. This study aims to identify the concepts and characteristics of safety information design that reflects human traits. It examines the concepts of risk and safety from a social science perspective and looks into human visual information processing from a cognitive neuroscience perspective. Additionally, it explores the relationship between human information processing and accident rates in dangerous situations from a psychological perspective. Based on these analyses, the study distinguishes between conventional information design and safety information design, ultimately identifying the features of safety information design that incorporates human traits. The key findings are as follows: First, information should be presented considering the human tendency to suspend rational judgment in dangerous situations. Second, appropriately dispersing or concentrating attention according to the level of risk can serve as an opportunity to minimize harm. Third, it was found that sensory and perceptual characteristics should be given top priority in the field of risk and safety information design. Through these findings, the study concludes that a design approach that reflects human traits in safety information design can ultimately be a key indicator for improving safety levels.