Anthropometrics

   

Anthropometrics in car, Sketch by me using colored pencil

Not only can Anthropometrics be defined as comparative measurements of the human body, it can also relate to the physical capabilities of the human body. It's the relationship between people and the things that they use. And this can mean on a quite regular basis or just occasionally. If you think of this through a design standpoint, you would probably want to measure the person you are going to be designing a space for. This is just so you can get product measurements right to ensure that people are comfortable in their setting. We wouldn't want to be testing anyone's physical capabilities in a space that they would be doing things in.

Source: http://ibdesigntech.com/1-1a-anthropometrics-4/

When I think of Anthropometrics and how it has to do with people and their measurements I cant help but think of my friend Cory. Cory was 6'4" in high school so about when we were 17/18 driving around our cars he would always have his eat reclined all the way as far as it could go which was a ridiculous amount. It was a coupe and had back seat but if there was more than two people then it was just better to ride in someone's else's car. We used to joke and say that he could just take out his front seat and sit on the back seat and it would still be fine for him given how tall he was. Of course, he did this because his legs were so long he had to give himself room for comfort down at the pedals. I assume he is above average for men, especially at that age. Nissan didn't take that into consideration, they just took the average height for measurements for the seat and distances from the pedals etc. Nothing against Nissan, I mean he did have the option to move and adjust his chair which does take in those above/below people such as Cory and his stilt legs. Cory's physical capabilities are great given his height, but when he was in his car they were constrained. He would have a negative relationship while in his car if he didn't have the option for adjustments.

   We can take this example and relate it to how we solve problems as designers. Suppose it wasn't just the car but any seating. If you are responsible for choosing seating for a waiting room or restaurant, taking Anthropometrics into consideration should be your first step. In settings where comfort is a key element, this speaks for itself. We can even take it a step further and decide that it's a children's waiting room that we are choosing for. Well the designer would have to take in consideration for the adults present there and maybe as well as the children. The designer could research into average measurements for children with age and gender specifics to give those kids the comfort they deserve.

The makers of this desk did not consider there may be small pitbull terriers in the leg opening

 Another example is exercise equipment. All sorts of different people are going to be on these different types of machines. Anthropometrics. It all comes down to how it is built and how the producers took in the fact that it needs to be the right measurements for people to use it. While on the topic, Me and my fiancée were once shopping for a certain elliptical machine when we came across a man on YouTube giving a review on one we had been looking at. Not only did he give a review on the machine but also showed off his set-up that he had with the machine. He had measured a lot of his body and BUILT himself a monitor and keyboard holder out of wood so he could use this thing while doing his work on the computer. It was all mounted to the wall and everything. After witnessing this hero I took a step back and rethought my efficiency.

As you can tell, there are numerous things throughout this world that someone took the time to consider how the measurements of an average person would fit in to the things that you and I use everyday. Whether it be a 1996 Nissan 240sx or that one exercise machine you've been looking at, there is comfort there that wouldn't be if Anthropometrics hadn't been thought about. Anthropometrics is the reason we can fit and feel right when doing certain things, no matter the task. That's why this is so important given any situation.