IBDP Design Technology - Anthropometrics & Psychology

IBDP Design Technology Study Notes

Anthropometrics

• Definition: The study of human body measurements and proportions.
• Applications:
  • Essential in product design for ergonomics.
  • Influences workspace design, furniture, and consumer products.
• Key Measurements:
  • Body dimensions (height, width, depth).
  • Functional reach and grip strength.
  • Variability due to age, gender, and ethnicity.
• Tools Used:
  • Measuring tapes, digital calipers, 3D scanning technologies.
• Reference Data:
  • Use anthropometric databases for standard dimensions (e.g., ADA for the U.S. population).

Psychological Factors

• Definition: The impact of cognitive processes on user interaction with products.
• Key Aspects:
  • Perception: How users see and interpret products.
  • Motivation: Factors that drive user engagement and satisfaction.
  • User Experience (UX): Overall experience of a person using a product, influenced by usability and interaction design.
• Design Considerations:
  • Visual aesthetics: Color, shape, and branding.
  • Consistency and predictability in design aid learning and retention.
  • Feedback: Ensuring users receive appropriate responses from interactions to enhance comfort.

Physiological Factors

• Definition: Biological processes affecting human interaction with design.
• Key Aspects:
  • Physical capabilities: Strength, dexterity, stamina, and age-related changes.
  • Sensory perception: Vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell impacting product interaction.
• Ergonomic Design:
  • Tailoring products to fit anatomical features (hand grips, seat heights).
  • Ensuring comfort and reducing the risk of strain or injury.
• Safety Considerations:
  • Minimize physical risks through design (e.g., sharp edges, weight distribution).
  • Incorporate safety features in products (guards, shields against injury).

Anthropometrics

• The study of human body measurements and proportions.
• Crucial in product design for ergonomics.
• Impacts workspace design, furniture, and consumer goods.
• Considers body dimensions like height, width, and depth.
• Factors in functional reach and grip strength.
• Acknowledges variability based on age, gender, and ethnicity.
• Tools include measuring tapes, digital calipers, and 3D scanning technologies.
• Uses anthropometric databases for standard dimensions (e.g., ADA for the U.S. population).

Psychological Factors

• Understands the impact of cognitive processes on user interaction with products.
• Focuses on perception, motivation, and user experience (UX).
• Addresses how users see and interpret products.
• Explores factors driving user engagement and satisfaction.
• Considers visual aesthetics (color, shape, branding).
• Advocates for design consistency and predictability to aid learning and retention.
• Emphasizes the importance of feedback for user comfort and interaction enhancement.

Physiological Factors

• Addresses the influence of biological processes on user interaction with design.
• Considers physical capabilities like strength, dexterity, stamina, and age-related changes.
• Takes into account sensory perception (vision, hearing, touch, taste, smell) impacting product interaction.
• Incorporates ergonomic design, tailoring products to anatomical features (hand grips, seat heights).
• Aims to ensure user comfort and minimize risk of strain or injury.
• Prioritizes safety considerations, minimizing physical risks through design (e.g., sharp edges, weight distribution).
• Integrates safety features in products (guards, shields) to prevent injury.

Explore key concepts in IBDP Design Technology, focusing on anthropometrics and psychological factors. Understand how human body measurements and cognitive processes influence product design and user interaction. Enhance your knowledge for better ergonomic and user-centered design.