Human+factors+data.



The amount of data involved in Human factors design is vast, not only do we use primary and secondary anthropometric data, but we devide and sub devide and devide again various groups. We even split potential //user populations,// sometimes based on: age, gender, height, weight, etc etc.

How any user population is split up will depend on what the designer is trying to do.

__Percentiles.__
Remembering that every person is an individual and every person is different. What can a designer do to ensure her design is successful from a human factors design perspective?

She can use a normal [|distribution curve] to help her identify her user population.


 * [[image:Normal_curve.jpg width="411" height="316"]] ||  || This will help her identify the user population, normally located between the 5th and 95th percentile.

Why wont it be economically viable to design for everyone?

What percentile would be used to set the height of a fixed shelve?

What percentile will be used to design and make a bed?

What percentile would be used to fix the height of our SCHOOL work benches? ||

__Biomechanics.__
[|Biomechanics] is "//the research and analysis of the mechanics of living organisms//". Sometimes Designers need to know something about Biomechanics, especially when their designs will require the user to hold, or twist. Some of the things the designer will need to think about; grip, strength, age, size, possibly weight. Biometrics is very big in the world of professional sport where the difference between success and failure can be measured in miliseconds.
 * The designers of high performane trainers must have a knowledge of the Biometrics of the foot.

Why would this help them when they are designing trainers? || media type="youtube" key="h_tlBZe25oU" height="344" width="425" ||