Practice - 1. Introduction to Product Design & Ergonomics
Practice Questions
Test your understanding with targeted questions
What is the primary goal of Human-Centered Design (HCD)?
- Answer: To place the user's needs, limitations, and preferences at the very center of the design process to ensure the product is functional and intuitive.
- Hint: It means designing for the person, not just the object.
💡 Hint: It means designing for the *person*, not just the *object*.
Define Ergonomics in your own words.
- Answer: The study of how people interact with products and systems, focusing on making those interactions as efficient, safe, and comfortable as possible.
- Hint: It is often called "Human Factors."
💡 Hint: It is often called "Human Factors."
4 more questions available
Interactive Quizzes
Quick quizzes to reinforce your learning
Which term refers specifically to the measurement of human body dimensions?
- Type: mcq
- Options: A) Usability, B) Anthropometry, C) Prototyping, D) Ideation
- Correct Answer: B
💡 Hint: No hint provided
True or False: A product with "good ergonomics" is one that requires the user to adapt their body to fit the machine.
- Type: boolean
- Options: True, False
- Correct Answer: False
- Explanation: Good ergonomics means the machine is designed to fit the human body's natural capabilities and limitations.
💡 Hint: No hint provided
2 more questions available
Challenge Problems
Push your limits with advanced challenges
The School Chair Audit: Look at the chair you are currently sitting in.
- Task: Identify one Anthropometric flaw (e.g., "it's too high for my legs") and one Safety feature (e.g., "the corners are rounded"). Propose one change based on the Design Cycle to improve its comfort.
- Solution Example: "The seat pan is too deep, causing it to press against the back of my knees (flaw). The legs have rubber caps to prevent sliding (safety). I would add an adjustable backrest to accommodate different spine lengths (refinement)."
- Hint: Use your own body as the "measuring stick."
💡 Hint: Use your own body as the "measuring stick."
The Grocery Bag Redesign: Standard plastic grocery bags often "dig into" the user's hands when carrying heavy loads.
- Task: Use the principles of Ergonomics and Human-Centered Design to propose a new handle design. What "data" would you need to collect before starting?
- Solution: I would need Hand Breadth and Grip Strength data. A better handle would be thicker and made of a soft, compliant material (like silicone) to distribute the pressure across a larger surface area of the palm.
- Hint: Pressure Force / Area. How can you increase the area?
💡 Hint: Pressure Force / Area. How can you increase the area?
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