Ergonomics Principles in Design

Prabir Mukhopadhyay holds a BSc Honours Degree in Physiology and an MSc Degree in Physiology with specialization in Ergonomics and Work Physiology both from the Calcutta University, India. He holds a PhD in Industrial Ergonomics from the University of Limerick, Ireland. Prabir started working with noted ergonomist Prof R.N. Sen, at the Calcutta University both for his Master’s Thesis and later on a project sponsored by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India... It was during this time Prabir developed a keen interest in the subject and wanted to build his career in ergonomics. He joined the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, India as an Ergonomist for one of the projects for the Indian Railways. There he was mentored by Dr S. Ghosal, the project lead. He then joined the same institute as a faculty in ergonomics. During his tenure at Ahmedabad, he worked on many consultancy projects related to ergonomics. Some of his clients there included the Indian Railways, Self Employed Women’s Association and the United Nation Industrial Development Organization.After working there for two years Prabir left for the University of Limerick, Ireland, on a European Union Funded Project under the supervision of Prof T. J. Gallwey. He completed his PhD in Industrial Ergonomics from the same University and decided to return to India to apply his acquired knowledge. He joined the National Institute of Design, Post Graduate Campus at Gandhinagar, India as a faculty in ergonomics. There he headed the Software and User interface Design discipline. He also completed a research project funded by Ford Foundation-National Institute of Design on ergonomics design intervention in the craft sectors at Jaipur in Rajasthan, India. Simultaneously he started teaching ergonomics across different design disciplines at other campuses of the institute like Ahmedabad and Bangalore as well. After working there for around five years, Prabir joined his present Institute as an Assistant Professor in the Design. He was later promoted to an Associate Professor and later became the Discipline head. He teaches practices and researches in different areas of ergonomics and its application in design. He has authored a book Ergonomics for the Layman: Application in Design, Published by CRC Press in 2019. He is a bachelor, and his hobbies include watching action movies, listening to Indian and Western Music, travelling and cooking.

• Chapters1. IntroductionOverview1.1. Application of ergonomics in design 1.2. Ergonomics in tangible and intangible design1.3. Where exactly in the design process ergonomics could be applied1.4. Areas of ergonomic application in product, space and communication design1.5. Thrust areas one must keep in mind while applying ergonomic principles in design1.6. Documentation1.7. Key Points1.8. Practice session2. Breaking the ice exercisesOverview2.1. Identify ergonomics and design around 2.2. Note down the good and bad ergonomics in design around you2.3. The way forward through ergonomic application in design2.4. Template for assignments for data collection, synthesis, and analysis2.4.1 Documentation and portfolio2.4.2 Key Points2.5 Practice session3.Product ErgonomicsOverview3.1 Ergonomics in simple product design3.1.1Hammer3.1.2Door handle3.1.3Trolley bag handle3.1.4Water bottle3.1.5 Garden pruner3.2 Bigger product3.2.1 Refrigerator3.2.2 Automated Teller Machine3.2.3 Ladder3.2.4 Water Faucet3.2.5 Key Points3.3 Practice session4.Ergonomics in workspaceOverview4.1 Groundwork4.2 Shoe store4.2.1 Layout4.2.2 Flow of people in space4.2.3 Fitting workstation4.2.4 Seat height4.2.5 Display racks4.2.6 Storage area4.2.7 Cash counter4.3 Ergonomic issues4.4 Ergonomic directions4.5 Key Points4.6Practice session5.Ergonomics in moving space (Transportation)Overview5.1 Introduction5.2 Some directions for ergonomics in moving space related projects5.3 Ergonomic design intervention in the general compartment of railways5.3.1 Movement of commuters5.3.2 Task flow analysis5.3.3 Ergonomic issues identified through direct observation5.3.4 Emergency chain5.3.5 Ladder for climbing the upper berths/seats5.3.6 Layout of the compartment to enhance ease of movement and passenger comfort5.3.6.1 Concept 15.3.6.2 Concept 25.3.6.3 Relaxed Seating5.3.6.4 Final Concept5.3. 6.5 Concept refinement5.3.6.6 Rig Testing5.4 Key Points5.5 Practice session6.Ergonomics in communicationOverview6.1 Introduction6.2 Some directions for ergonomics in communication design6.3 Fire extinguisher6.4 Pesticide packaging6.5 Wayfinding map for a college campus6.6 Ergonomics at homework station6.7 Key Points6.8 Practice session7.Ergonomics in User Interface DesignOverview7.1 Introduction7.2 Some directions for applying ergonomic principles7.3 Example 1: Ergonomic design of the interface of a blood pressure monitor7.4 Example 2: Ergonomic design of a movie ticket vending machine interface7.5 Example 3: Ergonomic design of the interface of a coffee vending machine on a college campus7.6 Key Points7.7 Practice session8.Report and portfolio8.1 Overview8.2 Key Points9.Application of mannequin in ergonomics9.1 Introduction9.2 Mannequins of different percentile values9.3 Scale down grid boards which can be used for checking the designs either on paper or in the laboratory on the grid board to scale.9.4 Usage of mannequin and grid boards for testing out the ergonomic design9.5 Key PointsReferences