Human factors

Human factors

Ergonomics and Anthropometrics

Ergonomics

• Ergonomics refers to the study of people’s efficiency in their working environment. It involves designing or arranging workplaces, systems and products to fit the people who use them.

Anthropometrics

• Anthropometrics is the aspect of ergonomics that deals with measuring the human body. It’s important to consider a range of percentile averages when designing to accommodate different body sizes.

Cognitive Considerations

Human Information Processing

• This is about understanding how people process information and use it to make decisions. Understanding this can help designers to simplify interfaces and make products more user-friendly.

Attention and Perception

• Designers should consider how a user’s attention is drawn to certain areas and how different design elements are perceived. This can be used in product design to highlight key features and control the visual hierarchy.

Human Factors Methods

User-centred design

• This design philosophy involves in-depth understanding and consideration of the end-user’s needs, abilities and preferences throughout the design and development process. This results in a product that is user-friendly, efficient, and satisfying to use.

Usability Testing

• This involves testing a product with representative users to see if it is easy to use, efficient, and satisfying. The findings are used to make improvements and modifications to enhance the user experience.

Physical Considerations

Physical Abilities and Limitations

• Recognition of the fact that not everyone has the same physical abilities can inform design choices. Products can be designed to be more accessible, adaptable and universal by considering different levels of mobility and dexterity.

Material Considerations

• The physical properties of materials used in a product can significantly influence its usability. Considering the strength, weight, texture and flexibility of materials can ensure a product is comfortable and easy to use.

Psychological and Emotional Considerations

Emotional Design

• Designers may use colour, shape, and other aesthetic considerations to elicit specific emotional responses from users. This can help to make products more appealing and enjoyable to use, thereby increasing user engagement.

Psychology of Colour and Shape

• Understanding the psychological associations of different colours and shapes can inform design decisions. For example, using bold colours and rounded shapes can make a product seem more friendly and approachable.