1. E10: Design for Purpose Option E AHL Human Factors Design IB Technology

2. Design for discomfort

3. Some products are purposely designed to provide only basic comfort for short periods of time. For example, airport seating is usually only used for relatively short periods of time. Or, seating in a fast food restaurant, where people eat quickly and then leave.

4. Conflicting considerations However, when flights are delayed, or families want to use fast food restaurants for a meal event (such as a party) the seating could become uncomfortable.

5. How do we reconcile conflicting design considerations? Designers need to design products which are suitable for the potential needs of a user, which is often a balancing act with design/client needs. Public seating needs to be robust, easy to maintain, look good, resist vandalism and be relatively cheap. Seating can be created when following these needs, which will allow for better comfort.

6. Signage

7. Airports International standards are very important when considering signage in airports. Many need to include the use of graphics, rather than words, to allow for users from another country.

8. Road signs Road signs use shape and colour to convey a message. Red is usually used in warnings, blue is used on motorways or highways, yellow is information about the road ahead.

9. Human factor issues With highway/motorway signs it is important that you position them correctly and ensure they are clear to read quickly. As a designer you would need to carry out the following research: Decision sight distance Information coding Driver sampling

10. Signage research Qualitative data collection: This could involve interviewing drivers about their experiences with signs. Observations of driver behaviour. Quantitative data collection: This could involve constructing a questionnaire or survey to gather specific information or measure viewing distances of individuals.

12. LED signs LED signs have been developed and can be used as a form of variable message signage. If you are speeding an LED sign can light up to warn you. It can warn of specific delays on sections of road as and when they happen.

13. Human Factors When designing and developing LED signage a designer would need to consider: Viewing conditions: fog, dark, light Eye resolution and sensitivity Night-time and day time viewing; in the day they are not as visually strong

14. Personal space

15. Work-space envelope A 3D space within which you carry out physical work activities when you are at a fixed location.

16. Anthropometric data What anthropometric data would be relevant to the design of a student’s workspace envelope when studying at a desk?

17. Personal space Personal space differs depending on your cultural background, family space and habitual patterns. In Spain people like to sit together, gather in groups and are very social. In Britain people like privacy and personal space. Both are generalisations, but can apply as a loose example.

18. Railway carriage When designing a railway carriage a designer would need to consider cultural diversity in personal space. The best way to do this is to consider the arrangement of the seats, organisation of carriage furniture (to allow for livestock or luggage).

19. Facing seats with tables (for families, social people or those who want to work) Individual seats with tray tables Table and power sockets for working or a laptop Overhead storage space Adjustable arm rests to separate or join seats

20. Bars and cafes In hotel lounge bars and cafes a designer may want to incorporate intimate areas. They could do this by considering: The arrangement of furniture Lighting Music Personal space Colour Texture Décor

21. Low level lighting Reflective surfaces Bar area Intimate seating at tables for two Concealed areas candles A combination of materials