1. E7: Human Factors Design IB Technology
Contexts
E7: Human Factors Design
IB Technology

2. Product: Mobile Phone

3. Anthropometric data
There are four elements of anthropometric data which are necessary when designing a mobile phone:
Finger dimensions
Hand size
Thumb width
Viewing angle

4. Design factors
One design factor, related to ease of use of the mobile phone, that has compromised the use of human factors data is miniaturisation of components.
Products are so small that it is difficult to use due to the size of the hand, fingers and thumbs
Mini Mobile Phone Torch

5. Psychological human factors
Psychological human factors data that could be used in the design of a mobile phone are:
Texture
Sound
Colour
Light

6. Fashion & human factors
Fashion relates to style, for example, chunky or ultra slim, and texture.
These factors can then have an impact on ease of use or portability, which is important in the design of mobile phones.

7. Aesthetic-usability effect
Definition:
A condition whereby users perceive more aesthetically pleasing designs to be easier to use than less aesthetically pleasing designs.

8. Which of these phones looks easier to use?
Which of these phones would have point-of-sale impact?

9. System: Kitchen

10. Work triangle
A work triangle is used to assess the efficiency of placing key appliances in a design, for example, fridge, cooker and sink.

11. Safety in the kitchen
The work triangle ensures that working in the kitchen is as safe as possible, by considering the movement between major appliances.
Consider:
Transport of hot food
Carrying heavy objects

12. Sequence of use
Sequence of use is a design principle applied to kitchen design.
The sequence of use for a right-handed person is from left to right, from the sink to the main work surface to the cooker and to accessory work surfaces.

13. Anthropometric data in a kitchen
Height of the work surface
Position of cupboards
Depth of work surfaces
Circulation space
Which percentile would be important for each of these examples?
5th, 50th or 95th percentile?

14. Psychological human factors in kitchen design
Perception of texture
Temperature
Light
Colour
How might this kitchen affect you psychologically?

15. Commercial and domestic kitchens
There are different factors involved in the design of domestic kitchens and commercial kitchen, which may be in a restaurant or hotel.
Domestic kitchen
Commercial kitchen
Factors can include:
Interaction of staff
Heat generated
Ventilation
Access areas
Storage
Health and safety

16. Kitchen appliances
The labelling information on kitchen appliances can often be misleading to the user.
For example: microwave ovens have different labelling for control panels

17. Physiological human factors
When designing kitchen products and appliances as a designer you should also consider physiological human factors data, such as:
Viewing distance
Pulling strength
Lifting strength
Turning strength

18. Environment: open-plan office

19. Noise and temperature
These are psychological human factors which influence the design of an open plan office.
An open-plan office is open in design, therefore noise and temperature can be difficult to control.

20. Noise and temperature
as a designer of open-plan offices you should consider:
Sound absorbing acoustic partitions
Separating noisy equipment
Silent phone tones
Ventilation flow
Static tasks
Dynamic tasks

21. Space Vs Standardised design
The final design of an open-plan office is a compromise between individual space preferences and standardised design.
Space is often allocated based on standardised tasks or office status, but different individuals have different personal space needs.

22. Safety considerations
In an open-plan office there are a number of safety considerations that need to be addressed at the design stage.
Cable layout
Tripping hazards
Peoples circulation space
Storage areas
Fire evacuation plans

23. Office furniture Psychological factors: Comfort Aesthetics
Physiological factors:
Comfort
Adjustability
Long periods of use

24. Anthropometric data in office furniture
Office furniture needs to be adjustable to allow for different people. In office furniture designers must consider:
Desk height
Chair height
Space between work
areas
Thigh clearance

25. Environment: Car

26. Car controls
The location and layout of car controls should influence efficient use for the driver
For example: car windo controls on the door make it a better design than that of window controls in the centre console.

27. Car interiors
Car designers have used new technology to redesign the interiors of cars to improve human factors issues.
For example: the use of colours, sound and voice synthesisers to warn the driver of different situations.

28. Car interiors
Designers have also redesigned the interior of cars to benefit passengers and drivers.
For example:
climate control
zoned heating
memory adjusted seats

29. Multifunctional electronic controls
As with other electronic appliances designers can overstep the mark by allowing technology to dictate the design.
Many users find multifunctional electronic controls a problem, either because they do not understand them or because the controls are physically too difficult to use.