Do Now:

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING DESIGNS

IS THE MOST ERGONOMICWhy?
 ERGONOMICS&
ANTHROPOMETRICS

o Understand and remember the definition of the terms

‘User-centred design, ergonomics’ & ‘anthropometrics’

o Decide what you will need to consider in order to make

your design as ergonomic as possible, with the user in
mind

o Start your ergonomic & anthropometric development

NEA page
 REMEMBER THIS?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z6jkw6f/revision/10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKv6hNMk_3Q&list=PLAR1g6kM4e7pyEuOhlKWAKErBIOZ-jvMd&index=3
 ERGONOMICS

Is the study of the interaction between the human body,

products and the surrounding environment.

The main objective for ergonomists is to improve consumer’s

lives by increasing their comfort when using products.

How could you make

a smartphone more
ergonomic?
 PHASE 1- ERGONOMIC PLAN

The main objective: to improve

consumer’s comfort when using product.

Task: Look at your favourite design. How could you make it more ergonomic?
Create a list of things you could do. Add pictures of examples
I could make the product……
Take up less space on Easier to hold/ grip Lighter to carry More comfortable
the table • Add a pocket clip • Lightweight materials • Smooth corners on
• Make the base smaller • Use materials with the side
more friction

What else could you do?

Example: remember, this will need to be relevant for YOUR product.
 ANTHROPOMETRICS

Anthro: human Metric: a measurement

• Is the use of body measurements to determine the optimum size for products
for comfortable and efficient use.

When we ignore
anthropometrics….
Examples of anthropometric data include:
• How far people can reach;
• How much space people need;
• How much force they can exert;
• • Height of a person;
• • Length of arms/legs etc
WHEN DESIGNING THE FOLLOWING PRODUCTS..

• What anthropometric data would the designer need to

think about?
• What could they do to make their products
ergonomic?
 TASK TODAY: START YOUR NEA PAGE

Use the guide so that you know what to include/ have an idea of the layout:

1
2

3
Lets have a closer look at the things you’ll need to include

FUNCTION OF MY PRODUCT
Write a statement about:
1. • What your product needs to be able to do
• Where it will be used? Be as specific as possible (on a bedside table, on a desk,
in the park, etc)
• How it will be transported (one hand from room to room)? etc
EG. The intended use of my lamp is to give light to a writing desk or office space.
It will need to be able to function for long periods of time and will be powered by a wall outlet.
As my speaker may need to be moved from room to room, it should be lightweight enough for one of the intended adult
users to carry.

ERGONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS
Write a statement about:
2. • Write a list of all of the things that you will make sure of

EG. In order to make my product as ergonomic as possible, I will ensure that:

• It can fit on a (piece of furniture) and leave space for someone to work
• It is as smooth as possible on the edges
• The lamp can be held in one hand
ANTHROPOMETRIC CONSIDERATIONS
Write a statement about:
3. • What anthropometric data you will need in order to make your design as
ergonomic as possible

EG. To make my design as ergonomic as possible, I will need to consider

the following anthropometric data :
• The dimensions of the average adult hand
• The length of a child’s finger
• How far the average 15 yr old can reach when sat at a table

how big should your product will need to be in relation to the surface/ space
where it will be used to allow someone to be comfortable?

Eg. A desk

lamp

Person
 ERGONOMICS &
ANTHROPOMETRICS

What is the difference??

 TASK TODAY: CONTINUE YOUR NEA PAGE

You should have a page that you started for your ergonomics/ anthropometrics

Your job today is to complete it

with research, creativity and
ergonomic engineering
 PHASE 1- ERGONOMIC PLAN

The main objective: to improve

consumer’s comfort when using product.

Task: Look at your favourite design. How could you make it more ergonomic?
Create a list of things you could do. Add pictures of examples
I could make the product……
Take up less space on Easier to hold/ grip Lighter to carry More comfortable
the table • Add a pocket clip • Lightweight materials • Smooth corners on
• Make the base smaller • Use materials with the side
more friction

What else could you do?

Example: remember, this will need to be relevant for YOUR product.
 PHASE 2 RESEARCH
o Find out the measurements of your target user
Task: Use the internet to get the anthropometric data you
will need to decide on the size/ shape of your product

This may be tricky to find but search:

• ‘anthropometric data’
• ‘average height of 5 year old’
• Length of average adult index finger etc….

Include images to illustrate

Be logical! The measurements must be relevant

If you are making a speaker for a teenager, you
don’t need to know the width of their toes!
 P H A S E 3 - C R E AT I V I T Y ! ( E X T E N S I O N )

Develop the
ergonomics of
your idea

Task: using everything you have learned, sketch 3-5 possible improvements the
shape/ size/ proportions of your idea.

These should be rough and free experiments

 IN SUMMARY

Done last
lesson
(I hope)

What is the difference??

To Do Today
PHASE 1 PHASE 2 PHASE 3
ERGONOMIC PLAN RESEARCH C R E AT I V I T Y