1. Determine the User Population
Description
Measurement of Data
No one is exactly average
  • Tape
  • Anthropometer - measures distance between two body landmarks
  • Spreading caliper
  • Sliding compass
  • Photographic methods
Anthropometric Data
Data
Standardized measurement devices and methods
  • must pay close attention to the charts and where they are referring to.
Civilian and Military Data
  • Military data is public (paid for by the government)
  • Civilian data is private
Types of Data
Structural and functional data; in the chart if there is a parenthesis, it comes from a non military source. 
Structural Data
Static data, or stationary. 
  • Body is in standard and still positions
Functional Data
Dynamic data, or moving positions
  • Body adopts various working postures
Steps of Using the Data
2. Determine Relevant Body Dimensions
Description
Determine the percentage of the population to be accommodated.
Design for: 
  • Extremes - everyone must use, ex. doors
  • Clearance - use 95% male measurements
  • Reach - use 5% female measurements
  • Safety - accommodate 100% of the population
  • Adjustable Range - if possible
  • Average - last resort, one size fits all
4. Determine the percentile value of the selected anthropometric dimension
  • Lower Limit of SYSTEM - can't be smaller or ill be unusable by the largest person
    - High percentile
    - ex. door
  • Upper Limit of SYSTEM - can't be larger or will be unusable by the smallest person
    - Low percentile
    - ex. button in a car
5. Make necessary design modifications to the data from the anthropometric tables
Changes due to wearing gloves/shoes/etc
  • Adjustment in calculations for things like clothing and conversions from static to dynamic data. 
6. Use Mockups or simulators to test the design
Description
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