Ergonomics in Product Design

Book excerpt: In the last two hundred years, the field of ergonomics has become a multidisciplinary science, incorporating elements of anatomy, physiology, psychology and engineering, all with the goal of making products and systems fit the people who use them. Ergonomics in Product Design is an invaluable resource for designers looking to stay at the forefront of ergonomic design, starting with a breakdown of human body points and percentiles, moving into an overview of principles and culminating in a curated selection of cutting-edge ergonomically designed products. Chairs and computer peripherals might be the first things to come to mind, and both are certainly covered here, along with much more: a thermometer, shampoo dispenser, bar of soap, bottle opener, fire extinguisher, dishes and tableware, wheelchairs, crutches, safety masks and more - all re-imagined based on the latest in ergonomic science.