brian russell human factors. things about people we need to consider when designing products and...
TRANSCRIPT
Brian Russell
Human Factors
Human Factors
Things about people we need to consider when designing products and environments
Physiological factors
• Physical limitations
• How the body moves
• Hand/eye coordination
• Strength
• Size
• Stamina
Anthropometrics
• The study of human measurements
• Numerous data available
• Need to be selective
• Match target group
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?
Ergonomics
• Efficiency - people to their products
• Efficiency - people in their working environments
• Comfort
• Ease of use
• Safety…
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.
Working triangles
Most efficient working spaces:
• Reach envelope
• Production lines
• Kitchens
• Offices
Adjustment
• Cycles
• Car seats
• Office chairs
• Clothing…
Many products need to adjust to different sizes:
Psychological factors
• How we taste
• How we smell
• How we feel
• How we see
• How we hear
How we taste
• Sweet
• Sour
• Bitter
• Salty
• Spicy
• Bland…
How we smell
• Enjoy• Disguise• Pleasant• Unpleasant…
How we feel
• Textures• Grip• Shape• Temperature• Comfort…
How we see
• Colour
• Moods
• Identity
• Information
• Analogue/digital
• Lighting levels
• Field of vision…
How we hear
• Sound
• Feedback
• Noise reduction
• Relaxing
• Warning
Sociological factors
• Personal space
• Access
• Toilets
• Cleaning/maintenance
• Safety
• Disability
• Transport
Personal space
We live and work in groups but need:
• our own space
• privacy
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
Access
Many products cause access problems
• Medicines
• Food and drinks
• Transport
Special groups
• Elderly
• Disabled
• Children
• Athletes
• Vegetarians
• Diabetics
• Religious groups…
Coping with physical disability
• Wider doorway
• Lower sink/bath
• Handrails
• Alarms
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
Stereotypes
• Similar age?• Similar values?• Similar beliefs?• Similar lifestyles?• Similar size range?
Different values/beliefs
• Religious
• Cultural
• Moral
• Social
Social issues
• Trying to copy the catwalk models
• Size Zero is not “normal”
• “Normal” is a very large range
Exclusive design
Targeted at a narrow range of people:• Young• Wealthy• Female…
Inclusive design
An impossible aim?
• Suitable for all
• Inexpensive to purchase
• Inexpensive to run
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!