Designing Industrial Interfaces for Digitally and Functionally Illiterate Users: A Case Study in a Manufacturing Environment

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This study investigates how industrial humanmachine interfaces can be designed to support manufacturing workers with low digital and functional literacy, a population often overlooked in digital transformation initiatives.The objective is to design, deploy, and evaluate an inclusive production tracking interface that reduces cognitive load and improves usability on the shop floor.Using Design Science Research (DSR) combined with a case study in a real manufacturing environment, the work applies user-centered design through personas, the Double Diamond framework, and WCAG 2.2 accessibility principles.The main contribution is an evaluated artifact (a redesigned industrial interface) together with a replicable design process showing how clarity, color-coded feedback, iconography, and simplified navigation can address literacy-related usability barriers in industrial settings.Following deployment and a habituation period, structured satisfaction questionnaires were administered to machine operators, supervisors, and ERP operators.Results suggest improvements in perceived user satisfaction, task efficiency and ease of use.These findings reflect participant perceptions rather than measured performance gains.Nonetheless, they highlight the role of inclusive interface design in supporting equitable access to digital tools in industrial environments.