Engineering for Industrial Designers and Inventors

Chapter 8. Human Factors

Designers usually design for people. While the complexity of the mind is difficult to unpack, the body is more straightforward. Humans are mechanical linkages, muscles, and sensory systems—all of which are driven by both our stomachs and our minds.

In this chapter, we cover eclectic topics related to human factors. We consider how people use things and how they move their bodies. We evaluate human dimensions and how to make shapes fit people comfortably. We also briefly review the notion of comfort and how people interface with the world. This chapter is a bookend to the first chapters where we looked at nontechnical issues. When considering perception and the mind, we often rely on guidance derived from experience rather than the march of physical science presented in most of the preceding chapters.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the science of relating design to the human body. The goal of ergonomic design is to allow a device, system, or information interface to easily connect with a human. Ergonomic designs are more comfortable to use and reduce injuries and accidents.

The concepts behind ergonomics include a study of human dimensions (anthropometry), human movement (kinesiology), user psychology, interaction design, and environmental design. The idea of comfort is very subjective and involves every aspect of the user environment. A chair squeak might be more irritating than lack of lumbar support for some. An automobile’s poor cup holder placement may ...