Gravity and Angle of Approach
Two of my many favourite topics around design, and these are terms I use, are ‘Gravity’ and ‘Angle of Approach’ (AoA).
Gravity, is not to be confused with layouts and reading gravity. And AoA is not to be confused with Angle of Attack, what fighter pilots consider in a dogfight. Nor with approach angles used in designing car fenders.
Many of us are familiar with gravity.
Ever been lying down on your back reading or watching something on your phone, only to have your phone magically fall on your face? Then that!
Of course, gravity extends to a lot more, especially in the service industry.
As does Angle of Approach.
Think servers at restaurants crossing over your shoulder or even your plate to, refill your water. Or taking the food over your arm to serve you. Or to serve someone sitting next to you. That’s what I refer to as Angle of Approach. One thing when it happens in a regular busy restaurant or fast food joint. Quite another at nicer restaurants. Both kinds of places, I simply observe with slight amusement, while trying to stay clear of their path. One unintentional tiny spill could really make a mess.
You might have also experienced this at temporary setups like exhibitions or fairs where, you either find yourself overshooting a stall and needing to walk back a few steps. Or not noticing a shop or entire sections because they are oddly placed and you walk right past them. Or when crowds of people walking in different directions that cross a common area come really close or are at constant risk of colliding with one another.
Another especially odd one is when sometimes driving in India. Say you are on a 3- or 4-lane road with little traffic. If you are headed on a straight path for a long distance, you might be inclined to drive in second lane, as the first might have vehicles turning right at every or every other signal.
But in that second lane sometimes, you might find yourself come to a quick stop in what seems like a traffic jam only in your lane. Happens when multiple people are unconsciously driving in the same lane, and one vehicle suddenly slows down or stops. And despite the other 2–3 lanes being absolutely empty, we have a momentary jam, almost a pile-up.
Recently, an Uber driver asked me rhetorically, how elevated trains would help when the road traffic below itself is in such chaos. I instantly wondered how crazy air taxis would be when we can’t stick to our lanes in 2D. Imagine gravity and AoA then.
Spaces could be better designed to factor in gravity and angle of approach. A few things that aid in the effort are well-designed signboards, relevant training to hospitality staff, rearranging and combining of sections to simplify a floorplan.
Are there any gravity or AoA instances you have experienced recently? And any ideas you might have for addressing them?
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