INTERIOR DESIGN

REFERENCE MANUAL
Second Edition
DAVID K. BALLAST, A.I.A.
NCIDQ Certified #9425

PROFESSIONAL PUBLICATIONS, INC.

BELMONT, CA

P A R T I: T H E O R Y

HUMAN FACTORS

he field of human factors involves the correctness

of fit between objects and spaces and the needs
of the people using them. It encompasses a number
of design disciplines that relate to the physical, psychological, and social needs of people. Because all
interior design is based on the physical size of people
and their physiological and psychological needs, you
must have a good understanding of these topics of
design theory.

want to review some of the specific space needs of

your chosen problem type.

backrest
reference
plane

95105

backrest
5"9"
(127
229)
7"10"
(178254)

ANTHROPOMETRICS

Anthropometrics is the measurement of the size

and proportions of the human body. A large amount
of research has been performed that establishes the
range of human dimensions from foot length to shoulder width. These dimensions have been established
for various population groups and ages, as well as
by sex, and include percentile distributions showing
what percentage of the population falls within various
measurement limits.
Based on anthropometric measurements, there
is also a large body of knowledge about the minimum
or optimum dimensions required for the average human to perform common activities. Room widths,
heights of shelving, and clearances around furniture
are examples of dimensions that are set by the interior designer and which must relate to the physical
sizes, needs, and limitations of people.
Although there are hundreds of individual dimensions that have been found to be either minimum or
optimum in a wide variety of situations, you should be
generally familiar with some of the more basic ones.
These are shown graphically in Figures 3.1 through
3.6. After you select the particular scenario problem
you will solve before taking the exam (corporate, residential, retail, institutional, or hospitality), you may
P R O F E S S I O N A L

seat
reference
plane
05

seat

14"18"
(356457)

15"
(381)

(a) work or secretarial chair

95105
backrest
reference
plane

seat
reference
plane
05
31"33"
(787838)
15"
(381)

16"17"
(406432)

(b) general purpose chair

Figure 3.1 Seating Dimensions

P U B L I C A T I O N S,

I N C.