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Anthropometrics
The study of Anthropometrics (human
measurement) is concerned with the
physical sizes and shapes of
humans.
Of particular interest are the
differences between and among
different populations (men vs. women,
Northern Europeans vs. Japanese).

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 Anthropometric Variance Parameters

Gender Age Ethnicity

height, size, height, size, height, size,
weight, weight, weight, and
strength, and strength, body segment
body segment and body proportion
proportion segment
proportion
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 GENDER
height, size, weight, strength, and body segment proportion

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 AGE
height, size, weight, strength, and body segment proportion

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 ETHNICITY
height, size, weight, strength, and body segment proportion

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 Anthropometrics literally means
man (anthro) measurements
(metric).

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 Percentile (inches)
Male Female
Measurement 95th 5th 95th 5th
1.Forward Reach 26.9 24.0 25.1 22.2
2.Elbow Height 44.6 39.5 41.5 36.1
3.Knuckle Height 31.0 27.2 28.6 24.8
4.Shoulder Height 60.1 53.2 55.8 48.8
5.Eye Height 68.4 60.9 63.7 56.0
6.Stature 73.2 64.4 67.7 59.5
7.Overhead Reach 84.8 75.2 78.8 69.2

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 The study of the human body and its
movements.

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 It is the measurement of the size
and proportions of the human
body, as well as parameters such
as reach and visual range
capabilities.

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 Accurate data on height, weight,
limb, and body segment sizes are
needed to design items ranging
from clothing, furniture,
automobiles, buses, and subway
cars to space shuttles and space
stations.

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 Anthropometrics enables us to
properly size items, including
system interfaces, to "fit" the user.

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 To properly select the data to use, we must
know something about our population
composition, and we must know what
percentage of the population we wish to
accommodate. The anthropometric range
will be much different if we are designing
products for male, professional basketball
players than if we are designing for the
general public.

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 STATURE IN INCHES

1st 5th 50th 95th 99th

MEN 63.1 64.8 69.1 73.5 75.2
WOMEN 58.4 60.2 64.1 68.4 70.1

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 FUNCTIONAL REACH IN INCHES

1st 5th 50th 95th 99th

MEN 28.4 29.1 31.5 34.1 35.3
WOMEN 25.9 26.7 28.9 31.4 32.4

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 In choosing the proper anthropometric
measurements to use, we must know not only the
user population, but also the specific application
or design problem. If we are designing overhead
luggage racks for public transportation,
accommodating 90% of the rider population is
probably sufficient.

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 However, if we are
determining the
position of an
emergency button,
we should design
to accommodate
99% of the rider
population,
including
wheelchair users.
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 * Encircled dimension is that of an Electric Wheelchair

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 High Forward Reach Limit

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 High and Low Side Reach Limits

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 Ergonomics
Ergonomics is the science of making
the work environment safer and more
comfortable for workers using design
and anthropometric data.
The study of people and their
relationship with the environment
around them.

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 The term “ergonomics” is derived
from two Greek words: “ergon”,
meaning work and “nomoi”, meaning
natural laws. Ergonomists study
human capabilities in relationship to
work demands.

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 Ergonomics draws on many
disciplines in its study of humans and
their environments, including
anthropometry, biomechanics,
engineering, kinesiology, physiology
and psychology.

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 Simply put, human factors involves
working to make the environment
function in a way that seems natural
to people. Although the terms "human
factors" and "ergonomics" have only
been widely known in recent times,
the field's origin is in the design and
use of aircraft during World War II to
improve aviation safety.

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 Whatever you design you must
always keep in mind that it must fit
the person it is designed for. Adults
and children come in all sorts of
shapes and sizes. We all like and
dislike a variety of colors, sounds,
shapes etc.. and so when we design
all these factors must be borne in
mind.

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 Conventional Mattress Sizes
Cot - 31" x 74“
Twin - 39" x 75“
Hospital Twin - 30" x 80“
XLTwin - 39" x 80“
Hospital XXLTwin - 30" x 84“
XX-Long Twin - 39" x 84“
Three Quarter - 48" x 75“
Rice & Antique Bed - 48" x 75“
Full Sofa Bed - 54" x 72“
Full - 54" x 75“
XL-Full - 54" x 80“
XX-Long Full - 54" x 84“
Queen Sofa Bed - 60" x 74“
Queen - 60" x 80“
Olympic Queen - 66" x 80“
X-Long Queen - 60" x 84“
Eastern King - 76" x 80“
King - 78" x 80"
* (can also be known as Eastern King)
California King - 72" x 84“
Western King - 72" x 84“
7 Foot Round - 84“
8 Foot Round - 96"
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 When designing a chair it is
important that the chair fits
the person who is going to sit
in it. Usually the seating
height is calculated by
measuring the most
comfortable seating height for
the person. If a number of
people are going to use the
chair then the average
seating height is calculated
for a large number of people.
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 When designing a toy
there are a number of
points to consider. Children
learn from sound, sight,
color, movement and other
aspects. These all
contribute to the
ergonomics or
anthropometrics of a
design.
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 Whatever you are designing
ergonomics and anthropometrics
are always points to consider.

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 Environmental design in the old-fashioned sense
develops physical environments, both interior and
exterior, to meet one or more aesthetic or day-to-
day functional needs, or to create a specific sort of
experience - the focus being the human-designed
environment. Environmental design includes such
specialties as architects, acoustical scientists,
engineers, environmental scientists, landscape
architects, urban planning, interior designers,
lighting designers, and exhibition designers. In
many situations, historic preservation can be added
to this list. Another recent addition to this general
area might be "disability access".
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 Consider designing a handle for a
door. Handles are designed to fit the
average hand comfortably.
Measurements are taken of the hands
of thousands of people and the
average measurements are worked
out. The design of the handle is based
on these measurements.

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 The diagram opposite
shows the
measurement that
would be taken for the
average width of a
hand. Once the
average width of the
hand is worked out,
the door handle can
be designed to fit this
measurement.
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 ERGONOMICS - EXAMPLE DRAWINGS

If measuring the comfortable seating height for a person,

draw an ergonomic person sitting on a chair or a stool and
clearly label the distance you are trying to find. 'X' is
marked on the diagram.

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 ERGONOMICS - EXAMPLE DRAWINGS

This diagram displays the comfortable reaching distance of

a designer. The diagram was used in a project which was
aimed at designing a drawing board and adjustable stand.
The reaching distance is labelled 'A'. It is important that
statistics for this distance are collected.
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 ERGONOMICS - EXAMPLE DRAWINGS

This diagram would be suitable for a designer attempting to

work out the correct height for the light source of an
adjustable table/reading lamp. Distance 'B' is marked on
the drawing.
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 ERGONOMICS - EXAMPLE DRAWINGS

Distance 'C' represents the comfortable height for a

foot-stool.

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 basic and average sizes (based
on 90 percentile) of human
beings performing various
functions and movements

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 Diagram 1
depicts the
average heights
and widths of
various parts of
the body face
on. Use this in
relation to joinery
and space
planning.

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 Diagram 2 depicts the
average maximum
distance of
outstretched arms.
This may be used
when planning a small
bathroom and the
distance need for
drying ones self.

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 Diagram 3 depicts
the various heights
and lengths of parts
of the body with the
legs bent as for
sitting or climbing.
Relate this to chairs
and tables.

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 Diagram 4 depicts the
reach of forward
outstretched arms.
Reference to this is
important with
cupboards and shelves
over benches and to
windows behind
furniture.

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 Diagram 5 depicts the
maximum reach (flat
footed) straight up. This
can be referred to for the
maximum height of close
shelves or cupboards
while also considering
the angle.

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 Diagram 6 depicts the
height of the forearm
when standing and bent
at right angles. This is
useful for determining the
heights of work surfaces.

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 Diagram 7 depicts
the height of a
person when
kneeling or
crouching down.
You can determine
minimum heights
of shelving or basic
reach.

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 Diagram 8 depicts the
height of a medium
use workbench. It also
shows space allocated
for the front of the foot
to fit under the bench.

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 Diagram 9 depicts a person sitting at a table. The
height of the chair and table are shown in relation to
the body.

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 Diagrams 10 and 11 depict heights and widths of
shelves showing the reach required and also the eye
line.

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 Diagram 12 depicts a person in sitting position showing
the base of the bent forearm to the seat height for
armrests, the thickness of the thigh and the height from the
base of the thigh to the floor for clearance under tables.
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 Diagram 13 shows
where the eyes height
in relation to the floor.
Use this to determine
placing of items such
as switching or
signage.

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 Diagram 14 depicts the
length of the legs and
body combined when
sitting on the floor or
bed. Use this to help
determine leg room

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thank
you