FURNITURE AND

PRODUCT DESIGN
ASSIGNMENT - 2
SUBMITTED BY:Y15AP0136
 PRINCIPLES OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN AND
THEIR APPLICATIONS IN FURNITURE AND
PRODUCT DESIGN
UNIVERSAL DESIGN:
Universal design is a framework for the design of living and working spaces and products
benefiting the widest possible range of people in the widest range of situations without
special or separate design. My husband Mark Leder and I have been applying its principles as
we build our new home, the Universal Design Living Library in Columbus, Ohio, which I’ve
written about in previous columns.
Ron Mace, an internationally renowned architect, product designer and educator, is
credited with conceiving the term “universal design.” He founded the Center for Universal
Design at North Carolina State University in Raleigh in 1989.
In 1997, a committee of 10, under Mace’s leadership, wrote the seven principles of
universal design. Now 10 years later, these principles are being re-evaluated. In June 2007,
the original committee will be joining others to gather public feedback. Edward Steinfeld,
director of the Idea Center at the University of Buffalo, will be leading this initiative.
 THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATIONS OF UNIVERSAL
DESIGN

PRINCIPAL 1: EQUITABLE USE

The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.

• It provides the same means of use for all users: identical whenever possible; equivalent
when not.
• It avoids segregating or stigmatizing any users.
• Provisions for privacy, security, and safety are equally available to all users.
• The design is appealing to all users.
 PRINCIPAL 2: FLEXIBILITY IN USE

The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.

• It provides choice in methods of use.
• It accommodates right or left handed access and use.
• It facilitates the user’s accuracy and precision.
• It provides adaptability to the user’s pace.

A user at a
computer
table. The
table
height can
be easily
adjusted
to suit
different Right & left-handed scissors
user needs
 PRINCIPLE 3: SIMPLE AND INTUITIVE USE

Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge,
language skills, or current concentration level.
• It eliminates unnecessary complexity.
• It is consistent with user expectations and intuition.
• It accommodates a wide range of literacy and language skills.
• It arranges information consistent with its importance.
• It provides effective prompting and feedback during and after task completion.
 PRINCIPLE 4: PERCEPTIBLE INFORMATION

The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of

ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities.
• It uses different modes (pictorial, verbal, tactile) for redundant presentation of essential
information.
• It provides adequate contrast between essential information and its surroundings.
• It maximizes “legibility” of essential information.
• It differentiates elements in ways that can be described (i.e., make it easy to give
instructions or directions).
• It provides compatibility with a variety of techniques or devices used by people with
sensory limitations.
Looking down the length of
Nanakuma Line, Japan. Each the symmetrical platform,
station is color coded and is lighting accentuates train
identified in English, doorways and the adjoining
Japanese, and by its gates that prevent riders
accompanying unique symbol. from falling onto the
Symbols generally relate to tracks. Nanakuma Line,
the station’s surroundings. Japan
 PRINCIPLE 5: TOLERANCE FOR ERROR

The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of

ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities.
• It uses different modes (pictorial, verbal, tactile) for redundant presentation of essential
information.
• It provides adequate contrast between essential information and its surroundings.
• It maximizes “legibility” of essential information.
• It differentiates elements in ways that can be described (i.e., make it easy to give
instructions or directions).
• It provides compatibility with a variety of techniques or devices used by people with
sensory limitations.
 PRINCIPLE 6: LOW PHYSICAL EFFORT

The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue.
• It allows user to maintain a neutral body position.
• It uses reasonable operating forces.
• It minimizes repetitive actions.
• It minimizes sustained physical effort.
 PRINCIPLE 7: SIZE AND SPACE FOR APPROACH AND USE

Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use,
regardless of user’s body size, posture, or mobility.
• It provides a clear line of sight to important elements for any seated or standing user.
• It makes reaching to all components comfortable for any seated or standing user.
• It accommodates variations in hand and grip size.
• It provides adequate space for the use of assistive devices or personal assistance.
Fare gates accommodate a
wide variety of users. Note
that the gate assembly is
long enough so that exiting
passengers do not have to
slow or stop walking in
order for the gate to open.
The gate has multiple The interior of the 100% ultra low
smart card targets to floor Alstom Citadis tram has both
speed fare collection. wide open areas as well as 2X2 seating.
Nanakuma line, Japan LUAS light rail, Dublin, Ireland
THANK YOU

N.V.GAYATRI RAMANI
Y15AP0136
B.ARCH IV/V
2ND SEMISTER
ANU COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING