Understanding User Needs

Question 1

Making the product fit the user

Answer 1

Products are designed to be comfortable for users, or erganomic, where size and proportion are considered to fit the user
This ensures that use of the product does not cause problems in health
These take into account the target market and the anthropometric data is used to ensure theproduct is the correct size and shape

Question 2

Anthropometric data

Answer 2

Measurements taken:
Upper arm, chest depth,knee length, head circumference, shoulder heignt, little toe length, height,hand width.
Collected from a wide range of people of different sizes
Likley measurements of intended users are needed by designers

First they need to work what measurements are needed
Next typical measurements are taken from the target group
The product is then designed to fit a range of users within this group

Question 3

Designed to fit 90% of the target market

Answer 3

Products are designed to fit most people in the tagret market, ok fit for 90% of the target market.
One size fits all follows the 5th and 95th percentile cut-off points
The bottom 5 and top 5% are not catered for in these examples
These people will need specialised products to be made

Question 4

Accessible for Disabled Users

Answer 4

Products are designed to help those with disabilities
Braille labelling helps to give info to blind people
Control buttons on items can be made larger to help the elderly locate them
Visible signals to help deaf people
Wheelchair users are also catered for with ramps and special access

Question 5

Designers need to think about age groups

Answer 5

Age groups have different physical limitations:
small children and elderly people may be unable to operate small fixtures or open packages
Elderly people may be unable to hold items
Elderly people may also need different requirements in textiles, with lower heels and wider feet for extra comfort