Human Factors

The relationship humans have to

products to enable them to use
them.

Human Factors
Human factor issues are concerned with the
limitations and abilities of humans and the
relationships they have to products. They are
often regarded as the most important
considerations when designing.
Human factors might be broken down into three
different groups:
Physiological factors
Psychological factors
Sociological factors

Physiological factors

Physical limitations
How the body moves
Hand/eye coordination
Strength
Size
Stamina

Standard clothing sizes

Anthropometrical information is used to standardise clothing sizes
but the way they are labelled varies between different countries.

(Q) Why do you think clothes are

manufactured in different sizes?
In terms of a MANS shirt why do
you think they come in a wide
range of sizes?
Think about the human body?

(Q) Why do you think clothes are

manufactured in different sizes in different
countries?
(Q) Why isnt there a standard
UNIVERSAL/GLOBAL size?

Using anthropometric data

This is an example of more complex manual/guide for a TV remote.
-As you can see too much text and technical language.

How would you learn how to use this

TV remote?
- Read the manual?
- Trial and error?
- Recognise buttons have
symbols/colours and you already
know the function?
For example:
- The RED button does what?
- The RED button with a squared
dot means?

Using anthropometric data

Anthropometrics is a major issue when designing hand held
devices such as this.
Symbols need to be easy to understand, buttons easy to
operate and the screen clear to read.
Anthropometric data is a major factor in
ergonomics.
They go hand in hand when designing
products.
But make sure you dont get them mixed up!

Ergonomics in the design of hand held products.

The userproduct interfaces of many electronic products are extremely complex rather
than being easy to use. Products with easily accessible interfaces are likely to be more
popular with consumers (especially more affluent and older consumers).
Three important characteristics are:
Simplicity and ease of use (Simple buttons/easy to navigate/Remember)
Instinctive logic and organization (Common sense use/organised layout)
Low memory burden (Easy to develop a memory of how to use the product).

(Q) Using the Nintendo Wii Remote as an

example how has this controller been designed
for ease of use?
Use the bullet points above to answer this
question in your revision books.

Ergonomics in the design of hand held products.

Three important characteristics are:
Simplicity and ease of use (Simple buttons/easy to navigate/Remember)
Instinctive logic and organization (Common sense use/organised layout)
Low memory burden (Easy to develop a memory of how to use the product).
(Q) Using the Nintendo Wii Remote as an example how has this
controller been designed for ease of use?
Possible Answers:
Curved shape to fit the users wrist/hand.
Rubber used for easy grip.
Wrist strap to provide confidence in using the controller.
Buttons evenly spaced to match the span of the users
thumb.
Larger buttons are used most/easy to use.
Simple letter number logo icons used for button
recognition. For example A = action.
Simple control allows users to memorise functions
quickly/easily.

Lights used to indicate battery life.

Visually easy to navigate.
Buttons have brail to aid partially sighted users.

Ergonomics in the design of hand held products.

Question Why do hand held controller use different shaped/coloured/sized buttons?

Are these universal dependent on brand/product/country?

Ergonomics in the design of hand held products.

(Q) Using the Sky TV remote answer
the following questions in your
revision exercise books.
Lets see how you do.
Why is the TV remote shaped?
How would it benefit the user?
What materials do you think are used?
How would these help the user?

Why are the buttons spaced/located

on the handset like they are?
Why are buttons coloured?
Why are buttons different shapes?

Does button shape = a specific task.

How does button colours help with
consumer memory?
How would this controller help a
partially sighted and a blind person?

Ergonomics in the design of hand held products.

How did you do?
Why is the TV remote shaped?
(A) Curved to fit comfortably in the hand/enables good grip.
How would it benefit the user?
(A) Greater comfort, ease of use, leaves the thumb and fingers free to press the buttons
whilst the controller is comfortably in the users hand.
What materials do you think are used?
(A) Plastic and rubber..
How would these help the user?
(A) The rubber in particular will aid grip and support when being held
Why are the buttons spaced/located on the handset like they are?
(A) For ease of use, buttons are spaced for where the users hands/fingers can stretch.
Why are buttons coloured?
(A) Button colour schemes are used to differentiate between different functions. Helps
with memory and recognition.
Why are buttons different shapes?
(A) Assists with memory and recognition. Assist with partially sighted and blind users.
Does button shape = a specific task.
(A) Shapes, colours, symbols used to demonstrate the buttons task.
How does button colours help with consumer memory?
(A) Buttons colour are often linked to colours on other products eg) red = record. Making
the process more simple for the user to remember and understand.
How would this controller help a partially sighted and a blind person?
(A) Buttons are shaped, brail is used for users to touch/feel and understand the buttons
feature.