© Boardworks Ltd 20051 of 24 Resistant Materials Social & Cultural Issues These icons indicate that...

© Boardworks Ltd 20051 of 24

Resistant MaterialsSocial & Cultural Issues

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Learning objectives


Lea

rnin

g o

bje

ctiv

es To recognize the importance of taking people’s different social, cultural and physical backgrounds into account when designing a product.

To have an awareness of the ergonomic considerations of designing products.

To understand ergonomes and how they can be used to help with ergonomic measurements.

To make products as user-friendly and non-confusing as possible.

To know the different methods of consumer protection and the symbols that appear on approved products.


People who buy products are called a ‘market’. Designers design products to be sold to certain target markets.

Designers need to consider:what people like what people can

afford.where people live

Which target markets are these people from?

The effects of social and cultural influences


Designers need to consider people as both:

individuals

Which sorts of products do you think this consideration will affect?

and members of groups.

Individual and group needs


People are not all the same. They come from a range of different social and cultural backgrounds and have different physical needs.

Different social backgrounds:

What different needs do you think people living in these places might have?

Different social needs


Different cultural backgrounds:

What sorts of different products might people in these places need?

Different cultural needs


Which other different physical backgrounds can you think of that may make a difference to a product?

Different physical needs


Social, cultural and physical needs


Suitability for purpose

The study of people and their surroundings is called ergonomics.Ergonomics and anthropometrics are human factors. All designers aim to meet a human need.All products interact with a person, but when designing your product it is important to remember that people vary, and what may be suitable for one person may be unsuitable for many more.You can standardize many things in the design process, but you cannot make your clients standard.


People who study ergonomics are concerned with designing things that are suitably comfortable for people to use.

Easy to reach Comfortable to sit in

Which other qualities should a product have to make it suitable for people to use?

Not confusing

Examples include being:

Safe to use

Ergonomics


This is an ergonome.

Ergonomicists use model figures like this to help them investigate ergonomics.

Ergonomes can be made quite simply from card.

The measurement of physical characteristics, particularly physical dimensions, should involve asking these questions:

How far can a person reach? How much space do they need? How much force can they exert?

Which other questions can you think of that are important when considering physical

characteristics?

In what sorts of situations do you think an ergonome would be useful?

Ergonomics


How does this situation change if the person is from a part of the world where people are shorter than here?

Ergonomics


Ergonomics


The first scale drawings of people which were used in design were used by Henry Dreyfuss.Characters were drawn sitting, standing and crawling.

Dimensions of small and large people were included.

But most designers worked on the Dreyfuss average. The Dreyfuss ‘average’ man – Joe.The Dreyfuss ‘average’ woman – Josephine.

Anthropometric data


The ‘average human’ is a dangerous idea for designers.

Placing a shelf at the right height for the average person is unlikely to suit the young, old, tall or short.

Consider all people in your target group.

Consider the limits of their capabilities.

Choose design dimensions carefully or build in adjustments so that your client can use the product effectively.

Anthropometric data


Physiology

Ergonomics is the relationship between people and the equipment or environment which they use.

It involves applying knowledge of:

to design.

Ergonomics

Ergonomic data can also be known as ‘human factors’.

Psychology Anthropometrics


? ? ? ? ?

The control panel of this photocopier has a large button with the letter C on it.

Does the C stand for Copy, Cancel or Clear?

And what does ID stand for?

What sense would you make of this if you were not an English speaker?

How do you suggest making the copier more user-friendly?

Confusing clients


The British Standards Institute is an organisation which looks after the consumer.

BSI tests products to make sure that they are safe for consumers to use.

If a product passes these tests it will be allowed to display the BSI ‘Kite Mark’.

The BSI kite mark shows that a product has been tested by the BSI product services department.

Product Services tests prove that the product meets the requirements of a standard specification.

Protecting the consumer


Safety is very important with young children.

Toys are subject to very careful safety checks.

The Lion Mark is the mark that shows that a toy has passed the safety standard for toys.

More and more products are sold around the world.

The European Community encourages trade between European countries.

Europe has a set of standards for all products that are sold in this area.

The CE marking shows that a product meets European Union directives.

Protecting children and consumers


Consumer protection


Key points


Key

po

ints

People come from many different backgrounds and cultures, and you have to take these into consideration when designing a product.

Ergonomics is about making products as comfortable and easy to use as possible, for as many people as possible.

Ergonomes are used to help with ergonomic measurements.

When designing a product, it is important to make it as easy to use as possible and to remember that it may not just be English speakers who will be using it.

There are a number of agencies who check products and make sure they are safe for the public to use.

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