1. Human Factors
Brian Russell

2. Human Factors
Things about people we need to consider when designing products and environments

3. Physiological factors
Physical limitations
How the body moves
Hand/eye coordination
Strength
Size
Stamina

4. Anthropometrics The study of human measurements
Numerous data available
Need to be selective
Match target group

5. 5th-95th percentile Ignore the extremes Top 5% and bottom 5% taken out
Consider the rest as a normal range
Be selective – tallest for doors, shortest for chairs?

6. Ergonomics Efficiency - people to their products
Efficiency - people in their working environments
Comfort
Ease of use
Safety…

7. Ergonomes Ergonomes are models of people in normal proportions
Sometimes they are full size and sometimes to scale
They help designers make decisions about sizes, positioning etc.

8. Working triangles Most efficient working spaces: Reach envelope
Production lines
Kitchens
Offices

9. Adjustment Many products need to adjust to different sizes: Cycles
Car seats
Office chairs
Clothing…

10. Psychological factors
How we taste
How we smell
How we feel
How we see
How we hear

11. How we taste
Sweet
Sour
Bitter
Salty
Spicy
Bland…

12. How we smell
Enjoy
Disguise
Pleasant
Unpleasant…

13. How we feel
Textures
Grip
Shape
Temperature
Comfort…

14. How we see Colour Moods Identity Information Analogue/digital
Lighting levels
Field of vision…

15. How we hear
Sound
Feedback
Noise reduction
Relaxing
Warning

16. Sociological factors Personal space Access Toilets
Cleaning/maintenance
Safety
Disability
Transport

17. Personal space We live and work in groups but need: our own space
privacy

18. Disability We are all disabled at some times in our lives
Sometimes temporary
Sometimes very mild
For some people a serious disability is there for life

19. Access Many products cause access problems Medicines Food and drinks
Transport

20. Special groups Elderly Disabled Children Athletes Vegetarians
Diabetics
Religious groups…

21. Coping with physical disability
Wider doorway
Lower sink/bath
Handrails
Alarms

22. Health & safety How easy to swallow? What temperature does skin burn?
How much can we safely lift?
How close do uprights need to be on a child’s cot?
What materials are toxic?
Risk Assessment

23. Stereotypes Similar age? Similar values? Similar beliefs?
Similar lifestyles?
Similar size range?

24. Different values/beliefs
Religious
Cultural
Moral
Social

25. Social issues Trying to copy the catwalk models
Size Zero is not “normal”
“Normal” is a very large range

26. Exclusive design Targeted at a narrow range of people: Young Wealthy
Female…

27. Inclusive design An impossible aim? Suitable for all
Inexpensive to purchase
Inexpensive to run

28. Research and testing
Find out as much about the user as you can before you start
Products should be easy to use and easy to understand
Consumer trials needed
Human factors are the
most important ones!