Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1333960
87 Inclusive design Ordering systems Proportioning systems Design development Ergonomics Ergonomics is about designing for people and their immediate physical needs, and as a starting point it uses anthropometric data that details the range and diversity of human dimensions. ere are many books of design data that are potentially helpful, but interior design is a real subject, with practical problems and practical solutions; therefore it would be a mistake to rely on someone else 's observations at the expense of making your own. For example, rather than working exclusively in plan and asking the question 'is the access adequate?' take steps to visualise the situation for yourself and use a tape measure to confi rm the required dimensions. Visualisation of the problem could involve acting out a movement or action, creating a mock-up of your proposal by using props such as pieces of existing furniture, or using tape to measure out shapes of walls or pieces of furniture on the fl oor or against existing walls. Always remember that you are an individual, just as the client is, so you may need to modify your measurements to suit. If you are designing for a large and / or indeterminate group of people, be aware of extremes of the population such as the very young and old. It is also important to think about volume in addition to area: the circulation space between two relatively low items of furniture can be considerably narrower than that between two items where one or both of them are taller, without the access feeling restricted. Remember that ergonomics does not just cover size; it also looks at how much eff ort is needed to perform a task. ink about an everyday action such as opening a door. How easy or diffi cult this is will be a real indicator of the quality of a design. A hand taking hold of an object like a door handle is a fundamental connection with the space, and the experience that the user has will infl uence their perception of the building. How does the door handle fi t the hand? Does it feel sturdy or not? Does it embody a feeling of quality or not? How much physical eff ort is required to turn the handle? Overall, does this simple experience of opening a door give a positive or negative message about the space? Even if the experience is a good one for you, how do you think it would be for someone who is 40 or 50 years older than you? Will they have a positive experience, or will the eff ort required of them be unreasonable? If you are designing for one client, or a limited number of people, it might be appropriate to tailor the design solution to them closely, but this can exclude or disadvantage people who may subsequently use the space. As ever, there isn 't a right or wrong answer to this problem, but careful analysis should lead to a conclusion as to which approach is most appropriate. Human dimensions and scale