WELCOME TO DESIGN & TECNOLOGY

Mr. Ahmad Bakir

 WHO AM I?
INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATIONS
❑Mr. Ahmad Bakir
⮚ Business Examiner
⮚C.S Head of Department ⮚ IB Business CAT.1+2
⮚Computer Science/D.T IB Teacher (G.11-12) ⮚ IB C.S CAT 1+2
⮚Business I.B H.S Teacher (G.11-12) ⮚ D.T CAT 1+2
⮚AP CS Grade 12 (AM)
⮚Computer Science Grade 11 (AM) RECENT ACHIEVMENTS
⮚Business AM H.S Teacher (G.12)
⮚Business AS / LEVEL Teacher (11-12) ⮚ Above world average Business 2024
⮚2024-2025 (40 Classes) ⮚ Top of world AP.CS 2023
⮚13 Years Elite Education School ⮚ Top of Africa IG-Business 2022
WHAT IS DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY
IDEAS
1.SIZE
2.SHAPE
3.FEATURES (Vibration, Light, etc.)
4.COLOR
5.SOUND
6.FITNESS (Body fitness)
7.TEMPERTURE
8.TASTE
9.COMFORT
10.SAFETY
 ERGONOMICS

https://youtu.be/LAKlmdMHpdE
COURSE OUTLINE
ASSESSMENTS
 HUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS
HUMAN FACTORS
AND ERGONOMICS
IB DESIGN TECHNOLOGY

Mr. Ahmad Bakir

 Anthropometrics
“Design is human centred and, therefore, designers need to

1.1
ensure that the products they design are the right size for the
user and therefore comfortable to use. Designers have access
to data and drawings, which state measurements of human
beings of all ages and sizes. Designers need to consider how
users will interact with the product or service. Use and misuse
is an important consideration”.

Human Factors and Ergonomics

ERGONOMICS
As designers, many of the things we create will interact with human bodies. The user might wear them, hold
them, swing them, look through them, or ride them. The products we make therefore have to fit the human
body. This is called ERGONOMICS - The relationship between products and workplaces and the human body.

ANTHROPOMETRICS
Making sure a product or workplace fits the body is where anthropometrics come into play. Anthropometry is
the measurement of the human body. Common measurements focus on length, girth, weight, body mass,
angles and more, but the precise measurements required will depend on the product type.

Q: Look at the headphones pictured. What measurements might you need?

THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DATA

When measuring the body, there are two main types of measurement we need to consider…

STATIC (aka STRUCTURAL)

This type of measurement is taken from a body in a fixed position, such as a the height of a standing person, or
the circumference of the head in the case of the headphones.

DYNAMIC (aka FUNCTIONAL)

This type shows the measurements while an action is taking place, for example, what is the angle
change between hands as someone is steering, or the angle of the bend of a foot when running? For
some wired headphones, it might be the angle and distance of head rotation. S
Q: For headphones, what data would we need, and what type would it be?
 1.1 Anthropometrics
SOURCES OF DATA
SECONDARY
Collecting data isn't easy or cheap. For good data, you need a large number of users measured, maybe
spanning a variety of age and genders. A designer working on an internationally distributed product will need
to know the data of people from different countries to know how they vary, For this reason, if that data is
already available, it makes sense to buy it rather than generate it. Secondary data is data collected by
someone other you as the designer/user. It might come from commercial or government surveys, such as this

Human Factors and Ergonomics

one by the CDC.

PRIMARY
Of course, there might be times when you need to generate this data yourself. Some products are bespoke for
a single user, such as a prosthetic limb. Primary data is data collected personally for a specific purpose.

Q: Think of a product that would fail without secondary data, and one that would fail with primary?

PERCENTILES and PERCENTILE RANGES

So you have all that data. The first thing you will notice is that
there will be quite a range. This range is often presented in
percentiles. A percentile shows the percent of people who meet
or are below a certain condition. For example, if you are in the
20th percentile for height, 80 percent of the people out there
are taller than you. If you are in the 50th percentile, you are
average!
PERCENTILE STATURE (HEIGHT)
5 110cm

This data is used to decide what dimensions our product must

10 116cm

adhere to in order to cater to our users measurements. A

20 122cm

30 128cm

designer has to decide the range of measurements they want to 40 132cm

cater for. 50 137cm

60 141cm

Buttons on a vending machine are placed for the 50th for height.
70 144cm

A cinema seat might consider the 95th for size.

80 149cm

A seat belt might consider 5th to 95th for size.

90

95
152cm

155cm S
Buttons on remote might consider the 5th for finger length. https://www.gigacalculator.com/calculators/height-percentile-calculator.php
Q: What is your percentile for height? CLICK HERE
 1.1 Anthropometrics
RANGE OF SIZES vs ADJUSTABILITY
RANGE OF SIZES- A designer will create products in a range of sizes to best accommodate the range of
user measurements. In the headphones pictured, a number of inner ear attachments are included, from S to
XL size!
ADJUSTABILITY- It might be possible to create a product that physically adjust to the measurements of
all users within a certain range. Think a baseball cap or car seat. The benefit of this is that with ranged
sizes, some users might fall between the gaps (EG too small for XL but too big for L). The headstrap of over

Human Factors and Ergonomics

ear headphones adjusts in this way.

Q: Advantages/disadvantages of each?

CLEARANCE, REACH and ADJUSTABILITY

CLEARANCE- The distance or space between points, such as a head and a door frame, cinema seat.
REACH- Distance/range that can be reached from a certain position, such as a car brake.
ADJUSTABILITY - How a product can adjust form to fit users of different measurements. Driving seat.
Q: Reaseach a product in relation to Clearance, Reach and Adjustability. Ex: Seatbelts
LINKS

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YOU MUST UNDERSTAND HOW CLIENTS PERCEIVE
THE WORLD, NOT HOW YOU PERCEIVE IT

Psychological Factors

Mr. Ahmad Bakir

 Psychological Factors
Human beings vary psychologically in complex ways. Any

1.2
attempt by designers to classify people into groups merely
results in a statement of broad principles that may or may not
be relevant to the individual. Design permeates every aspect of
human experience and data pertaining to what cannot be seen
such as touch, taste, and smell are often expressions of
opinion rather than checkable fact.

Human Factors and Ergonomics

PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTOR DATA
We just spent time looking at anthropometric data. To make a product successful, we need to
know more than just body measurements. We need to know what is going on in the mind. We
need to know how to make our product fit with how people think and behave in the environment
that they will use the product.
Psychological Data (or Human factor Data)
is data related to psychological interpretations caused by factors such as

LIGHT - TEMPERATURE - TASTE - SMELL - SOUND - TEXTURE

Notice that these are all things that can be sensed.

The user will interpret information gained from these factors, which then influences their
behaviour. It might make the user react in a certain way, for example feel the need to break if
their vision is obscured. If the temperature is too hot, it might make them irritable and lose
concentration.

We need to understand how our user will interpret and react to these factors.
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Q: How might the rider react to these factors?
 1.2 Psychological Factors
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Some psychological interpretations are inflenced by the environment. These affect things such as
the users…
PERCEPTION - The way in which something is regarded, understood or interpreted.
ALERTNESS - The level of vigilance, readiness or caution of an individual.

Some of the environmental factors that affect perception and alertness are…

Human Factors and Ergonomics

VISIBILITY- On a dust filled track, it might be hard to perceive the track ahead.

ACOUSTICS - With a screaming crowd, it might be hard to perceive audio cues.

TEMPERATURE- Riding on a hot day might reduce your alertness levels

ALTITUDE- Riding high with lower oxygen levels will also reduce alertness.
Q: How might these factors influence a soldier?

DATA TYPES
Collecting this kind of data is a little different to Anthropometric data, which as a data type falls
under the category of

QUANTITATIVE DATA- Measured by number or value (key is in the word - quantity).

Psychological data cannot be measured with a ruler however. It doesn't present as a number. A
feeling or thought presents as a description given by the user. For this reason, it is of the type
QUALITATIVE DATA- Measurement of the quality, rather than the quantity.

An example of qualitative data might be how hot a user FEELS, rather than the actual temperature
(which would be quantitative). S
Q: Prepare for a rapid fire “Which is is test”.
 1.2 Psychological Factors
HUMAN INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEMS
So we now know some of the factors that might affect how users think. Now let's look a way to
understand HOW the user will react to them. Think of this as Cognitive ergonomics
We are going to look at how humans process information. If you can understand how this works,
we can design products that work with the process, not against it. Here is a simple example:
User has a choice.
The rider Breaks
Stop or keep

Human Factors and Ergonomics

with one hand, and Rider can see
Mud splashes over The eyes can no going. As the rider
moves the other again and speeds
the riders visor longer detect light cant see, the brain
up to clean the up.
says stop. Message
visor.
is sent to arms.

INPUT SENSORY CENTRAL MOTOR OUTPUT

----- PROCESS PROCESS PROCESS -----
You might have heard people say a product it counter intuitive. This could be because the way the
designer intended the product to be used goes against the way the user will process while using.
Q: What would the process be for a burst tire?

BREAKDOWN OF HUMAN INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEMS

As a designer we might create products to work perfectly with the way people process
information. We have to be aware however, that there can be a breakdown at any of the stages
listed above. This needs to factor in our designs. Here are some examples.
SENSORY PROCESS- It is possible that the user does not, or cannot sense the input. For example,
a fire alarm is missed by a person with hearing loss
CENTRAL PROCESS- The user may process slowly, or incorrectly. Maybe a drunk driver is too slow
to react to seeing a person in the road.
MOTOR PROCESS - What happens if a user gets cramp, or has limited movement in one arm? S
Q: Give an example of a product and process that can break in each way listed above.
 1.2 Psychological Factors
COLLECTING PSYCHOLOGICAL DATA
There are a number of ways to collect this type of data. It could be

OBSERVATION- Recording how a user behaves in a certain situation

SURVEY/INTERVIEW- Written or spoken questioning
CASE STUDY- A study over a period of time, on location, including the methods above.
QUESTIONING METHODS

Human Factors and Ergonomics

Which of the following bike How hot did it feel inside the What day did you take part in the How tall are you?
safety products do you use? helmet? test ride?
HELMET X 1. EXTREMELY Mon 100 cm x
VISOR 2. VERY Tue 101 cm
GLOVES X 3. QUITE x Wed x 102 cm
SHIN/WRIST GUARDS 4. A LITTLE Thur 103 cm
BACK PROTECTOR 5. NOT AT ALL Fri 104 cm
Sat etc...

NOMINAL ORDERNAL INTERVAL RATIO

Selection of options by named class or Options in a hierarchical order. The In order + In order +
group difference between values is not The space between values is equal The space between values is equal
objectively equal or measurable. and... but...
Are used when there is NO absolute Also have an ABSOLUTE ZERO not
zero. The zero is artificial, such as days. decided by us, eg height!
Q: Imagine you are quwsitoning someone on their breakfast habits. Create a question for
each.
LINKS

https://youtu.be/rL38g06DbSc

https://www.ruthtrumpold.id.au/destech/?page_i
d=900

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Physiological Factors

Featured Designer
 Physiological Factors

1.3 Designers study physical characteristics to optimize the user’s

safety, health, comfort and performance.

Human Factors and Ergonomics

PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTOR DATA
The final thing we will look at in unit 1 is PHYSIOLOGICAL data. This type of data concerns data
related to physical characteristics used to optimise the user's safety, health, comfort and
performance. The body is a complex system. We sweat when it is hot. Muscles cramp when
strained. We blink when something gets in your eye. All these physiological processes combine to
keep us functioning as a whole.

When designing a product, we need to consider how the body will function during use. Examples of
physiological factors a designer might take into consideration are:

ENDURANCE- How long a certain action can be performed before exhaustion stops it.
TOLERANCE- How much force can be withstood.
COORDINATION- How different body systems interact to complete a task.
STRENGTH- How much force can be applied during an particular action.
STRESS- The physical type. What points on the body feel the most impact or strain?

A variety of methods can be used to generate this data, such as testing, observation and
measurement. Let’s think about the example pictured...running shoes. S
Q: What data can be used to make a shoe safer, more comfortable, and enhance performance?
 1.3 Physiological Factors
BIOMECHANICS
Biomechanics is the study of how the components of the human body interact to perform
movements. These components include muscle, bone, skin, ligaments, tendons, and blood. Think
about our runner over there. There is a lot going on in order to propel them forward to create
motion. Muscles will tighten and relax. Joints will rotate. Blood will rush to certain areas.
Understanding this helps designers to be more successful in terms of creating a successful design.
It could help shape designs in these four areas

Human Factors and Ergonomics

INCREASED PERFORMANCE- by understanding how the body moves mechanically, we can increase
the performance of the user at a given task. The running shoe is a great example. The designer will
understand the point on the foot where pressure is exerted to propel the runner forward. They can
then use a more springy material to help push off from that point.

REDUCTION OF INJURY/SAFETY- By understanding data related to strain, designers can reduce

the chances or severity of injury. The Nike Zoom are a good example of this. They have a custom
foam that absorbs much more of the impact on the heel when the runner brings down their foot.
Biomechanical data from observation will have helped decide the location of this foam.

REDUCTION OF FATIGUE
The longer a person is engaged in physical or mental activity, the more fatigued they will become.
Fatigue can take the form of a loss of physical energy, in the case of a runner at the back end of a
race, and/or tiredness. Through understanding the physiological data, designers can work to
reduce fatigue.

INCREASED COMFORT
Comfort can be defined as “A feeling of ease, and freedom from pain or discomfort”. Pretty
important for a product, as a user will not want to use something that causes them to suffer.
Understanding physiology is vital in making something comfortable.
S
Q: For a running shoe, give an example of how this knowedge could improve a product.
 1.3 Physiological Factors
OTHER FACTORS
It is really important to understand that there is not one universal biomechanical system. Different
people work in different ways. Examples being:
AGE- For example the ability to rotate the wrist to open a jar (TORQUE) is reduced.
GENDER- Slight variations in bone and muscle structure are what lead to male and female shoes.
DISABILITY- For example, partial paralysis.

Human Factors and Ergonomics

WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
The workplace is a physical place! If you want to maximise performance and reduce injuries…
• Management should have policies, and organise safety education
• Consider the physical environment (noise, temperature, pollutants, trip hazards, signage).
• Have safe equipment design (controls, visibility, hazards, warnings, safety guards).
• Consider the the nature of the job (repetitiveness, mental or physical workload, force, pressure).
• Understand the social or psychological environment (Social group, morale).
• Know your workers (personal ability, alertness, age, fatigue).

Q: What other biomechanical processes change as we age?

LINKS
TBA

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GLOSSARY
 TOPIC 1 GLOSSARY
TERM DEFINITION
Adjustability The ability of a product to be changed in size, commonly used to increase the range of percentiles that a product is appropriate for.
Alertness The level of vigilance, readiness or caution of an individual.
Anthropometrics The aspect of ergonomics that deals with body measurements, particularly those of size, strength and physical capacity.
Biomechanics The research and analysis of the mechanics of living organisms. Biomechanics in Human factors includes the research and analysis of the mechanics
(operation of our muscles, joints, tendons, etc.) of our human body. It also includes Force (impact on user’s joints), Repetition, Duration and Posture.
Clearance The physical space between two objects.
Cognitive ergonomics How mental processes, (memory, reasoning, motor response and perception), affect the interactions between users and other components of a system.
Comfort A person's sense of physical or psychological ease.
Dynamic data Human body measurements taken when the subject is in motion related to range and reach of various body movements. E.g. crawling height, overhead
reach and the range of upper body movements.
Environmental factors A set of psychological factors that can affect the performance of an individual that come from the environment that the individual is situated.
Ergonomics The application of scientific information concerning the relationship between human beings and the design of products, systems and environments.
Fatigue A person's sense of physical or psychological tiredness.
Functional data Functional data includes dynamic data measurements while performing a required task e.g. reaching abilities, manoeuvring and aspects of space and
equipment use.
Human error Mistakes made by users, some of which can result in catastrophic consequences for people, property and the environment, as they are considered key
contributors to major accidents.
Human factors A scientific discipline concerned with understanding how humans interact with elements of a system. It can also be considered the practice of designing
products, systems or processes to take account of the interaction between them and their users. It is also known as comfort design, functional design and
user-friendly systems.
Human information An automatic system that a person uses to interpret information and react. It is normally comprised of inputs, processes (which can be sensory, central
processing system and motor), and outputs.
Interval data Interval data are based on numeric scales in which we know the order and the exact difference between the values. Organised into even divisions or
intervals, and intervals are of equal size.
Nominal data scale Nominal means 'by name' and used in classification or division of objects into discrete groups. Each of which is identified with a name e.g. category of
cars, and the scale does not provide any measurement within or between categories.
 TOPIC 1 GLOSSARY
TERM DEFINITION
Ordinal data A statistical data type that exists on an arbitrary numerical scale where the exact numerical value has no significance other than to rank a set of data points.
Deals with the order or position of items such as words, letters, symbols or numbers arranged in a hierarchical order. Quantitative assessment cannot be made.

Percentile range That proportion of a population with a dimension at or less than a given value. For a given demographic (gender, race, age), the 50th percentile is the average.

Perception The way in which something is regarded, understood or interpreted.

Physiological factor data Human factor data related to physical characteristics used to optimise the user's safety, health, comfort and performance

Primary data Data collected by a user for a specific purpose.

Psychological factor data Human factor data related to psychological interpretations caused by light, smell, sound, taste, temperature and texture.

Qualitative data Typically descriptive data used to find out in depth the way people think or feel - their perception. Useful for research at the individual or small (focus) group
level
Quantitative data Data that can be measured and recorded using numbers. Examples include height, shoe size, and fingernail length.

Range of sizes A selection of sizes a product is made in that caters for the majority of a market.

Ratio data scale A ratio scale allows you to compare differences between numbers. For example, use a rating scale of 1-10 to evaluate user responses.

Reach A range that a person can stretch to touch or grasp an object from a specified position.

Secondary data Data collected by someone other than the user.

Static data Human body measurements when the subject is still.

Structural data Refers to measurements taken while the subject is in a fixed or standard position, e.g. height, arm length.

Workplace environmental These factors can be considered to maximise performance of a user in a role and reduce the risk of accidents. They can be categorised as:
factors • Management (policies, safety education)
• Physical environment (noise, temperature, pollutants, trip hazards, signage)
• Equipment design (controls, visibility, hazards, warnings, safety guards)
• The nature of the job (repetitiveness, mental or physical workload, force, pressure)
• Social or psychological environment (Social group, morale)
• The worker (personal ability, alertness, age, fatigue)