1. Physiological and Psychological Factors of Design

2. Psychological Factors
The issue
People are psychologically complex
Design touches every part of the human experience
Data pertaining to stuff that cannot be seen (touch, taste, smell) are often expressions of opinion rather than fact.

3. Psychological factors are those that impact operations including effects of environmental conditions such as:
stress
lighting
temperature
humidity
noise
Vibration
These need to be taken into account by the designer in order to improve the user experience.

4. Physiological Factors of Design

5. Designers study physical characteristics to optimize the user’s safety, health, comfort, and performance.
Use the following when designing for physical characteristics:
Physiological factor data (how major organs work and function)
Blood pressure, eye movement, lung capacity, balance, etc.
Comfort and Fatigue studies
Design for comfort/discomfort
Biomechanics
The study of mechanical laws relating to the movement of living organisms (mostly humans and animals)

6. More on Biomechanics

7. Within all designs there are assumptions about the biomechanical capabilities of a user population:
Strong enough to turn the top of a bottle?
Enough dexterity to open a small hatch on packaging?

8. Biometric design assumptions are not just guesses
Based on anthropometric data (dynamic and static)
Some groups do not fit the usual data patterns
The elderly, sick, or disabled
Design for inclusion

9. Biometric analysis may be used to examine data related to the use, misuse, or difficulties surrounding product design.
May result in age appropriateness suggestions

10. Biomechanics also come into play with design of packaging.
Lids
Drink caps
Ring pull openers