A set of guidelines resulted from the study, illustrated by a series of proposals for sensory devices integral to the product itself. The guidelines centred on the following user interface areas: form; colour; orientation, consistency and commonality of features, signs and symbols. The conceptual proposals looked at providing reassurance through other senses such as sound and touch.

Form has a huge impact on the consumer as 'busy' looking products can be viewed as too complicated to use; in user tests, nodule-like features were often mistaken for buttons. Colour is another area of importance as a visual contrast between buttons and the main body of the product is helpful to older people. Colour can also communicate the state of the appliance, such as a thermopolymer changing colour when the product becomes too hot to touch. Use of sound reeds in a vacuum cleaner, which respond to diverted air and alert the user by sound signal when the bin is full, is another sensory concept.

Bad orientation or positioning of the controls can confuse users who might not know where to start or might not be strong or dextrous enough to operate the button in its position. Consistency and commonality of features across a product range can reduce the amount of learning a person has to do to operate any single product. Signs/symbols is a massive area in itself, but product designers should not rely on signs to guide users as to the function of any particular button. More direction can be gained by reassurance through sound and touch - a 'click' says that the button has been pressed and a more tactile material such as rubber can indicate a button to be pressed.