1. Ergonomics

2. Introduction
Developed into a recognised field in the Second World War. It allowed physiologists, psychologists, anthropologists, medical doctors, work scientists and engineers to address the problems arising from the operation of complex military equipment.
The word 'ergonomics' is derived from the Greek words 'ergon' (work) and 'nomos' (law). In the US the term 'human factors' is also used.
The IEA definition of ergonomics is:
'Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and method to design, in order to optimise human well-being and overall system performance.‘

3. Ergonomics The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Would you have spotted the fire escape in an emergency?
Which way is the arrow telling you to go? Through the door or up/down the stairs?
Which knob operates which ring?
The user has had to adapt the monitor height using books
Would you have realised you have to press the orange tile to make the shower work?

4. Find you shape by running the
Anthropometric test
This data is however general, when in actual fact we vary from the average. For example I have approximately average height, body and leg length, but my arms are in the 85th percentile…..(Which makes me comparable to the chimp below!)
Again this can be illustrated in car design, today seats and steering columns can be moved to accommodate a vast range of users.
Find you shape by running the
ergonomics calculator.xls and following the measuring diagram at the end of this powerpoint

5. Measurements