Från komplexitet till klarhet: Visualisering av information i ett styrsystem : From Complexity to Clarity: Visualizing Information in an Industrial Control System

This bachelor thesis in Information Design with a focus on Interaction Design explores how information in an industrial control system can be visualized to improve operator understanding and decision-making. The study was conducted at Sandvik Coromant, a global company in the manufacturing industry specializing in tooling and machining solutions. The focus was on an existing machine where users reported low usability and uncertainty during operation. Through observations, interviews and heuristic evaluation, several key issues were identified, including unclear feedback, information overload, and a lack of structure in the user interface. A low-fidelity prototype was developed based on user needs and design principles such as Cognitive Load Theory, usability heuristics, and visual hierarchy. The prototype was tested with five operators using a think-aloud protocol and System Usability Scale (SUS). Results showed a significant improvement in perceived usability. The study concludes that step-by-step information, minimalism, and clear feedback can help reduce cognitive load and enhance user confidence in complex industrial systems.