Although the appearance of a product influences a consumer’s first impression of it, its ergonomics can greatly sway their purchase decisions as well. Ergonomics is the science of designing products to fit people’s needs and capabilities, enhancing the user experience in the process. This means that ergonomic products don’t only look good but are efficient, safe, and comfortable to use as well.

Thanks to these qualities, many consumers find ergonomic products more appealing and are more likely to purchase them than items that aren’t thoughtfully and ergonomically designed. Thus, it’s no surprise that a lot of companies invest in design and development to ensure that they can create ergonomic products that attract their target market.

To create an ergonomic product, design teams follow a set of principles to help them meet their goals. Let’s have a look at some of the basic principles of ergonomic design many industrial design NZ-based companies use today.

User-Centred Design (UCD)

 When a product features a user-centred design (UCD), it means that it has been developed to prioritise the needs and preferences of the end user. UCD involves understanding the users’ behaviours, goals, and challenges so that designers can create products that are intuitive, efficient, and enjoyable to use.

One example of a product that’s known to have great UCD is the modern smartphone. Its interface and intuitive gesture controls, for instance, enable users to easily navigate their device’s features, enhancing their overall experience.

Accessibility

 Accessibility is another key principle of ergonomic design, focusing on creating products that are usable by individuals with diverse abilities and disabilities. This includes considerations for physical, cognitive, and sensory impairments to ensure that everyone can interact with the product comfortably and effectively.

A prime example of accessibility in product design is the development of ergonomic keyboards. These keyboards feature larger keys, high-contrast labels, and adjustable tilt angles to accommodate users with visual impairments or mobility limitations. With these accessibility features, ergonomic keyboards enable individuals of all abilities to type with ease and efficiency.

Anthropometry

 Anthropometry involves designing products that fit the diverse range of human sizes and shapes. By considering anthropometric data, designers can create products that accommodate the variability in human dimensions, ensuring comfort and usability for a broad spectrum of users.

Anthropometry in design can be seen in adjustable office chairs. Their adjustable seat height, armrests, and lumbar support accommodate users of different heights and body proportions, promoting good posture and reducing the risk of musculoskeletal discomfort among users.

Task Adequacy

 Task adequacy refers to designing products that facilitate the completion of tasks efficiently and effectively. Products that exhibit this quality minimises unnecessary movements or cognitive load for the user, enhancing user productivity and satisfaction. Robotic vacuum cleaners, for example, are equipped with sensors and algorithms that enable them to navigate through rooms, detect obstacles, and adapt their cleaning patterns to different floor surfaces. They automate the task of vacuuming, saving users time and effort and providing a convenient solution for maintaining clean floors without manual intervention.

Ease of Use

Products with ease-of-use features are intuitive and straightforward to operate. They typically come with interfaces that minimise cognitive effort and prevent user errors when interacted with. One notable example of ease of use in product design is the development of automatic coffee machines. Many high-quality automatic coffee machines have a simple user interface and intuitive buttons or touchscreen controls. They also provide users with clear instructions to make various types of coffee, making it effortless for users to brew their favourite coffee with just a few taps. Products that embody ease-of-use principles generally enhance user satisfaction and reduce frustration during operation.

Safety

 Safety is another fundamental principle of ergonomic design that focuses on creating products that minimise the risk of injury or harm while using the product. This principle involves identifying potential hazards and implementing design features to mitigate risks and enhance user safety.

For instance, child car seats are designed with features such as impact-absorbing materials, adjustable harnesses, and side-impact protection to protect infants and young children in the event of a collision. By meeting rigorous safety standards and considering factors such as crash dynamics and child physiology, car seat manufacturers ensure that their products provide optimal protection for young passengers.

Conduct User Research

Conducting thorough user research provides valuable insights into how people interact with products in real-world settings. Design companies can use surveys, hold interviews, and conduct observational studies to gain a deep understanding of their target audience’s behaviours and challenges. They can use the information they’ve gathered to create products that truly resonate with users.

Use Case Studies

Case studies offer valuable lessons and inspiration for designing ergonomic products. Analysing case studies allows designers to understand the thought processes behind successful products, identify common challenges, and learn from real-world implementation. Whether they’re studying the design of office chairs, kitchen utensils, or electronic devices, designers can gain valuable guidance from case studies of existing products and develop products that prioritise user experience.

Follow Ergonomic Standards and Guidelines

Standards such as ISO 9241 for human-centred design and ANSI/HFES 100 for ergonomic principles in product design provide comprehensive frameworks and recommendations for ergonomic design practices. By adhering to these standards and guidelines, designers can ensure that their products meet industry-recognised criteria and best practices for ergonomic excellence.

Test and Evaluate

Testing and evaluation are crucial steps in the design process to ensure that products meet user needs and ergonomic requirements. Conducting usability tests, ergonomic evaluations, and pilot studies allow designers to gather feedback from users and identify areas for improvement. By observing how users interact with prototypes in real-world scenarios, designers can uncover usability issues, ergonomic challenges, and opportunities for refinement.

As technology continues to evolve and user preferences evolve, the importance of ergonomics in design will only continue to grow. By prioritising ergonomics in product development, businesses can differentiate their products, build customer loyalty, and drive success in the marketplace.