ERGONOMICS || ANTHROPOMETRY

What is Anthropometry?
“ The scientific study of the measurements and proportions of the human body .”
(Definition - Oxford dictionary)

What is Ergonomics?
“ The study of people's efficiency in their working environment. ” (Definition - Oxford dictionary)
Human for ages has been centric to design and approach solutions with respect to the tangible and intangible aspects. The process of
design is initiated by the control and comfort a user has, these definitions though subjective from person to person, they have settled in
the society with few set standards. Hence, it becomes a necessity for one to assimilate, relate and get a thorough understanding of human
senses, reactions and body.

Interestingly, human body is termed as a reference to a ‘natural design’, which speaks of proportion, size and scale to the most relatable
form of it present for our understanding. If the above statement is to be understood or rather to be proved, why not have a study of the
sizes of the body part and relate them to the proportions of the body, to understand the basics of designing for the body?

We are all aware of the fact that our height is equivalent to the arm length (when measured from tip of middle finger to the end of the
second arm tip while stretching horizontally). Well this could be one of the many body proportions that are related to each-other. In order
to understand few more proportions, let’s measure particular body parts and try to draw inferences of relatable proportions for the same.
 Activity: Measure and note down the measurements of adult human bodies on basis of the following headers, ultimately trying to draw
relations in the different number (averaging and referencing in a single body).

Proportions to be made with respect to the following parts:

1. Total Height and Head Length

2. Face Length and palm length
3. Arm span and Human height
4. Femur length and total height
5. Leg length and head length
6. Torso length and head length
7. Foot length and forearm length

Note : Data should be recorded in MM

 Body Length Human 01 Human 02
Height
Arm Span
Head Length
Palm Length
Forearm Length
Foot Length
Femur Length
Leg Length
Torso Length

Proportions Human 01 Human 02 Human 03

Height : Head

Face : Palm

Foot : Forearm

Arm Spam : Height

Height : Femur

Legs : Head

Torso : Head
Human Centered Design (HCD) is a framework for designing which based on the Usability, functionality and overall physical wellbeing of
the humans. Anthropometry and Ergonomics study will help students to understand the idea that the physical size of the person is somehow
related to the ability to function.

Exercise:

1. Identify any 5 of each static and functional human activities from your daily routine. Submission requirements: fill in the table attached.

Sr. No. Static activity Functional activity

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
 2. Identify different users’ in your family and subject them to the activities listed in the table above. Submission requirements: fill in the
table attached.

Activity USER 01 USER 02 USER 03 USER 04 USER 05

User Profile Ergonomic Data Graphical representation

Name
1
Sleeping Age
Gender
STATIC

Height
USER 01 USER 02 USER 03 USER 04 USER 05
User Profile Ergonomic Data Graphical representation

Name
2
Age
Gender
Height
 Activity USER 01 USER 02 USER 03 USER 04 USER 05
User Profile Ergonomic Data Graphical representation

Name
1
Sleeping Age
FUNCTIONAL

Gender
Height
USER 01 USER 02 USER 03 USER 04 USER 05
User Profile Ergonomic Data Graphical representation

Name
2
Age
Gender
Height