We make systems safer, more human, more effective, more efficient, and easier to use.
Founded in 2007, HF Designworks, Inc. is a Boulder, Colorado-based human factors engineering and user experience design practice. It applies cognitive systems engineering, workload modeling, and human-centered design to optimize complex systems and operator performance across defense, aerospace, and medical device sectors. The practice has improved more than 100 systems, supported thousands of end users, and published over 50 technical papers for industry and standards working groups.
Work in this area is organized into supported delivery tasks.
Support includes Optimizing human interaction with complex systems.
Support includes environments to enhance safety.
Support includes usability.
Support includes operational performance.
Uncovering operator and user insights through structured research methodologies to inform design decisions and drive intuitive, human-centered experiences.
Work in this area is organized into supported delivery tasks.
Support includes Developing user-centered interface.
Support includes software designs that balance operational requirements.
Support includes technical constraints.
Support includes human capabilities.
Validating product designs and software interfaces through empirical testing to identify usability issues, verify performance, and ensure operational readiness.
Assessing and predicting operator mental workload and task distribution through computational simulations to optimize crew sizes and human-system performance.
Developing discrete event models using the Improved Performance Research Integration Tool to evaluate mental workload and crewing configurations.
Quantifying operator cognitive state using physiological sensors, eye tracking, and performance metrics to assess real-time workload.
Applying cognitive systems engineering to align technology, processes, and human operators, ensuring seamless coordination from initial concept through system deployment.
Deconstructing complex decision-making and cognitive demands to design effective human-automation interfaces.
Mapping system functions to human or automated agents to establish optimal operational procedures and system architectures.
Simulating mission timelines and task sequences to predict human performance and identify high-workload periods.
Defense · Aviation · Medical Devices · Government · Software
Defense · Client: NAVAIR / ThayerMahan
Developed an AI-teaming aviator training tool under a NAVAIR Phase II SBIR, employing real-time multi-modal physiological and performance metrics to monitor pilot workload and elevate mission readiness.
Aviation · Client: NASA
Supported the integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems into the National Airspace System, co-leading research working groups on human factors design for ground control interfaces and contributing to ASTM standards development.
Defense · Client: US Navy
Developed a Learning Management System integrating cognitive burden insights with simulated environments, enabling pilots to master Multi-Domain Data Fusion and AI-powered unmanned asset control.
Defense · Client: US Army
Conducted workload modeling and discrete event simulation using the IMPRINT tool to evaluate crewing configurations and human-system performance for the Army's Future Vertical Lift program.