Human Factors in DesignHuman Factors in Design

Human factors (or ergonomics) is the science of adapting products to match the human body and mindbody and mind.

It focuses on the product user and aims toIt focuses on the product user, and aims to ensure products are easy to use, easy to learn, productive and safe.

Getting human factors right is an essential part of getting the design of a product rightpart of getting the design of a product right.

Ergonomic in everyday thingsErgonomic in everyday things

Anthropometric factors

Antropometry deals with dimensions and physical characteristics of the human body.

BMW Isetta (1950-1953) Anthropometric factorsp

Usually design to the Xth percentileUsually design to the X percentile level. i.e. X% of the population will not be adequately accommodatednot be adequately accommodated.

Ci ili P l ti Civilian Populations: 2.5 – 97.5 percentile

Military populations:5 95 til 5 – 95 percentile

Standard HeightStandard Dimensions

Adjustability to overcome anthropometric problem

Anthropometric factors may need to change as obesity bbecomes more and more a problemproblem….

Keep everything within easy reachp y g y

Long reaches can strain the body and make work more difficult, and waste ,time.

Make tasks more user-friendly by keeping frequently used items likekeeping frequently used items like knobs, switches, etc within easy reach.

Keep everything within easy reach

All controls are withinAll controls are within easy reach of the driver

2008 Honda Civic Si Mugen

Reduce excessive forces- how many are like these?

How much force can we exert? Forces exertable at various postures

Minimize fatigueMinimize fatigue

Continuous exertion of the same muscle group over a period of time should be avoided.

Example: Example:

S l tiSolution

Ergonomic chairs

P iPoor ergonomics can cause fatigue

Poorly designed equipment and operation manuals can cause mental fatigue

Jacob Jensen has created a timer clock which is a refined alarm clock displaying time in a different way. What time is shown here?

Bang & Olufsen Beotime clock WhatBeotime clock. What time is shown here?

Minimize contact stressMinimize contact stress

Contact stressContact stress causes discomfort anddiscomfort and can inhibit nerve function and blood flow

X-rays of hand using conventional and redesigned pliers. Redesigned model is more anatomically correct.

Conventional

ErgonomicallyErgonomically redesigned

P t f t l i t t ith h dParts of tool in contact with hand are padded to reduce contact stresses

Ergonomically designedErgonomically designed

ClipperC ppe

SanderSander

AestheticsAesthetics

Ancient Greek pottery, 5000BC

Ancient sewingAncient sewing machine by Gresham &Gresham & Craven, Manchester, England, 1870

Note the walnut table and the aesthetically designed treadle

Colour your brain

– think colours…

Ferrari F40Ferrari F40

Example: Apple i-Mac

Proctor Silax’s steam irons unashamedly borrow their “cool colours” and their strawberry, lime, tangerine and y, , gblueberry designations from the Apple production line.

Original design of Harveys’ sherry bottles was the i h hi b k d C l i l dsame with white background. Colour is later used to

distinguish the different sherry bottles. Size of label on bottles was reduced to make characteristic shapebottles was reduced to make characteristic shape more visible, hence unique and prominent

TDK’s innovative rainbow colour one-sided, petal-shaped CD case can be stacked, carried individually or hung on h k CD ll t t d id l h lhook. CDs are well protected one side only, hence only half a case is needed to reduce materials and space

People like choices. So Nokia designs phones that allow users to change colours to suit their tastes or occasions.

So does Swatch …

…. and

Shur-Line paint brushes: Handle brushes: Handle designed with ergonomically round edges and soft materials; Differently shaped Differently shaped for different painting tasks; Grip zones on surfaces zones on surfaces anatomically shaped and textured for superior grip comfort, grip security and brush security and brush control.

Belzer Screwdriver: Robust and non-slip Belzer Screwdriver: Robust and non slip handle designed to fit hand comfortably to reduce stress on hand muscles. Entire handle

f b i d ith l h d surface may be gripped with palm; so shaped that it cannot roll far away when set down.

Bahco hacksaw:A th ti Aesthetic: Harmonious colour scheme and fresh visual appearanceErgonomics:Lightweight frame with steel core jacketed in plastic f t th d d bilit i i i d i ht d li for strength and durability; minimized weight and slim body increase accessibility; quality tactile non-slip rubber handle with rounded ends promotes comfort; smoothly rounded secondary grip at front for extra stability and power

Nito Ergo water gun: designed to make its use as easy as possible. Ergonomic handle is situated in an angle so user is in resting position without in an angle so user is in resting position without bending wrist. Trigger is long; all fingers (except thumb) are engaged to prevent stretching of

fi i d h i hil hsome fingers in order to reach trigger while the rest of the fingers are holding onto the handle.

DV90 is designed with steering that automatically alignsDV90 is designed with steering that automatically aligns direction of joystick to the driven direction. Seat can be rotated 3600. When compacting, driver only needs to rotate seat so that he always drives forward literally. Note innovative free view concept with see-through cabin.

Honda CBF600 is designed for smaller rider and women in particular; key feature is a "Just Fit Design" women in particular; key feature is a "Just-Fit-Design" with adjustable handlebars, a fully adjustable seat, adjustable brake lever and adjustable windscreen. These adjustments make the bike suitable for any rider, providing them with extra confidence.

Aesthetics

Students’ amphibian vehicles - 1

Aesthetics

Students’ amphibian vehicles - 2

AestheticsStudents’ amphibianamphibian vehicles -packagingpackaging