What Constitutes Good Ergonomic Design?-00-3606

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...design of objects, systems and environment for human use. Ergonomics comes into everything which involves people.

Work systems, sports and leisure, health and safety should all embody ergonomic principles if well designed. And here succinctly describe the essence of the word: Ergonomics is an approach which puts human needs and capabilities at the focus of designing technological systems. The aim is to ensure that humans and technology work in complete harmony, with the equipment and tasks aligned to human characteristics.

Where there is any kind of repetitive use of a tool or task ergonomics need to be considered. The aim should always be to reduce exposure to discomfort so if a task is repetitive the tool used should be designed so that the body can carry out the task in a number of different ways. If there is one simple rule it is that the job should be fitted to the user and the product to the user. As far as workplace ergonomics is concerned the aim is to maximise productivity while minimising operator fatigue and discomfort.

From this very broad description it is clear that ergonomics are applicable ...
... to every area of our lives: from driving the car to watching TV; using a phone or a computer; and from gardening to cooking. But, what should we be looking out for as consumers of products or as employees where equipment is provided for us? The answer is not as straightforward as one might assume. The word ergonomic is often (wrongly) associated with scientific, almost medical looking, equipment but there is no reason why ergonomically correct products shouldn't look exciting; they can appear modern or traditional in style. The same rules that apply to principles of good design also apply to good ergonomics: form should follow function.

Of course some product types are more flexible to be designed according to the needs of the person using them than others. Some have their form pretty much dictated by what they do, as opposed to the comfort of the user. Cars and motorbikes are much more constrained by the need to make a machine work, whereas a pair of scissors can be designed with ease of use as the main priority. Ergonomist and industrial designer Gary Davis writes ergonomics should be considered in the design of virtually any product, system or environment. Failure to do so may lead to designs which do not fit the physical, psychological or sociological needs of the user which are unlikely to be commercially successful.

So the principle consideration is not how a product looks, but how it functions. What is the most ergonomic chair for one person will not be the same for another. There are no visual motifs or styles that unite them. It's really all about finding products to fit your body type, height, routine or preferences. Human factors is sometimes used (mostly in the US) interchangeably with ergonomics and is perhaps a more direct and less confusing way to understand what we mean by the word.

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With over 17 years experience Colebrook Bosson Saunders believe passionately in http://www.colebrookbossonsaunders.com/about-us/ergonomics.htm design and are able to assist companies looking to improve their http://www.colebrookbossonsaunders.com/about-us/ergonomics.htm.
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