#anthropometrics

choosing the same theme as the last semester’s project; funtown. but this time i’ll be focusing more on the structures where i overlooked last time & i’ll try my best to apply my fav colour palette on this one aaaa

Photograph of Florentino Jaso Affixed to Bertillon Measurement Card

File Unit: Florentino Jaso, Inmate No. 8332, 1902 - 1921. Series: Inmate Case Files, 1902 - 1921. Record Group 129: Records of the Bureau of Prisons, 1870 - 2009

The Bertillon measurement card of Florentino Jaso indicates that he was examined on May 6, 1918. Affixed to this measurement card is Jaso’s prison photograph, known commonly as a “mug shot.” His inmate case file indicates that he was convicted in Laredo, Texas for violation of the Food Conservation Act. 

Definitions

Inclusive Design – ‘A design process that makes places usable by everyone, regardless of age, disability and circumstance.’

Ergonomics – ‘The study of people’s efficiency in their working environment.’

Anthropometrics – ‘The science of measuring size and proportions of the human body.’

Proxemics – ‘The branch of knowledge that deals with the amount of space that people feel it necessary to set between themselves and others.’

Inclusivity is the important factor of a design which ensures that the design is a comfortable and usable space for anyone of any age, religion, culture, ability and size.

Ergonomics in the built environment is where designers look at spaces and create designs and dimensions based on people. As Dul says in ‘Ergonomics for beginners’, “the word ergonomics is derived from the Greek words ergon (work) and nomos (law). In several countries the term ‘human factor’ is also used”. As the word ergonomics can also be referred to as human factor, it further iterates its importance and connection with peoples everyday lives. Dul further goes on to say that ergonomics within design allow and promote, “comfort and efficient performance at work and in everyday life”.

Anthropometry is explained by Julius Panero in ‘Human dimension and Interior space’ as a process of design which uses the dimensions of the human body to determine dimensions and spaces. Anthropometry uses the dimensions of human bodies in order to design and construct spaces which are inclusive for anyone.

Anthropometric tools: - Height - Length and circumference of body segments - Bone diameter - Skin thickness - Weight

Proxemics is different to ergonomics and anthropometrics as it can’t always be measured based on human dimensions, it’s more unseen and based on personal opinions. Proxemics is looking at personal space. It can be a tricky one to design by as everyone has different ideas of personal space – some may be happier to have people closer to them than others. Julius says “people boundaries don’t begin and end with skin”, which further emphasizes the difference between Proxemics and Anthropometry and Ergonomics. Proxemics is more than creating an inclusive and usable space for everyone, it’s about ensuring comfort and space between people.

References

“Adult Human Body Dimensions - Ventral .” Blogspot.com, archipaedia-archipod.blogspot.com/2011/12/anthropometrics.html.

BD Editors. “Anthropometry.” Biology Dictionary, 16 May 2017, biologydictionary.net/anthropometry/.

Dul, Jan, and B Weerdmeester. Ergonomics for Beginners. London, Washington DC , Taylor & Francis, 1993, pp. 1–4, archive.org/details/ergonomicsforbeg0000dulj_f6p7/page/2/mode/2up.

“Ergonomics Helps Us Harmonize Things That Interact with Humans Regarding Our Needs, Abilities, and Limitations.” MarketBusinessNews.com, marketbusinessnews.com/financial-glossary/ergonomics-definition-meaning/.

Fowler, F G, et al. Concise Oxford English Dictionary. New York, Oxford Univ. Press, 2008.

Panero, Julius, and Martin Zelnik. Human Dimension & Interior Space : A Source Book of Design Reference Standards. New York, Whitney Library of Design, 1979.

“Proxemics Illustrated.” What-When-How.com, what-when-how.com/paramedic-care/therapeutic-communications-principles-of-clinical-practice-paramedic-care-part-1/.

“What Is Inclusive Design.” Www.sensorytrust.org.uk, www.sensorytrust.org.uk/resources/guidance/what-is-inclusive-design.

Wikipedia Contributors. “Inclusive Design.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 24 May 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inclusive_design.

Whilst researching the different aspects of inclusive design (ergonomics, anthropometrics and proxemics) I have realised that there are so many more factors to inclusive design than just minimum dimensions. I have learnt that the width of stairs, hallways or lifts are just the basics of inclusivity and that within the design process we must consider a much wider variety of factors.