Advances in Ergonomics In Design, Usability & Special Populations: Part II

AHFE International

Accelerating Open Access Science in Human Factors Engineering and Human-Centered Computing

Advances in Ergonomics In Design, Usability & Special Populations: Part II

book-cover

Editors: Francisco Rebelo, Marcelo Soares

Topics: Usability & User Experience

Publication Date: 2022

ISBN: 978-1-4951-2107-4

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1001214

Articles

Ergonomics versus Inclusive Design Spaces The Case Study of The National Tile Museum

The current conceptions of the museum determine the exploration of strategies that promote not only observation of the works, but also dialogue and interaction, ensuring access, social and cultural participation of an increasingly diverse audience, without discrimination and within equal access conditions. The aim of this paper is to discuss the potential of Inclusive Design Spaces applied to museum space, taking into consideration the common and specific user needs as a consequence of human diversity. Based on an empirical study, undertaken in The National Tile Museum (MNAz) in Lisbon and applied on two distinct groups of visitors - a young and a senior group with different needs and expectations at the physical, social and cognitive level - it was possible to ascertain the impact of the physical attributes of a museum space on visitors. Ergonomics and Inclusive Design Spaces are the two sides of the same coin. This study seeks also to expand knowledge on the influence of Design in museological space in the process of communication and in the effective accessibility of all information with maximum visitor autonomy.

Maria João Bravo Lima Nunes Delgado, Fernando Moreira da Silva

Conference Proceedings

An Approach Through Painting to XIX Century Fashion Ergonomic Issues

Through times, innumerous attacks to health and social well-being were made in the name of fashion. Since the XIX century doctors and artists have drawn people’s attention to the severe damages made to health and to the need to ensure that what one wears, either clothes or accessories, should be comfortable and practical. As a matter of fact, that should be the main concern of those who create and those who wear these products.

Maria Heloïsa Albuquerque

Conference Proceedings

The System Ergonomics and Usability as a Measurement of the Software Agents Impact to the Organization

The purpose of this article is to analyze the concept of ergonomics in theory of software agents and its use in the construction of agent systems that supports the knowledge based organizations. In particular, the study will be focused on testing methods in context ergonomics of the agent society and their use in the analysis of the impact of agents on the business processes in the organization. Modern organizations require knowledge-based construction solutions, which in conditions of pervasive communications will support the processes occurring in them. Such solutions can be software agents. However, to assess their impact, it is necessary to define metrics that would indicate how much software agents support organization. Undertaken research in this area indicates that various features of software agents cause that they should be treated on a higher level of abstraction compared to the currently used software solutions. One of the aspect that can be picked up is the area of the cognitive ergonomics. It focuses around mental processes such as perception, memory, reasoning, knowledge, and issues of human reliability and increasing human cognitive abilities. Cognitive Ergonomics can be seen in the context of the software agent interaction solutions for users. The implementation of the cognitive ergonomics in human-computer relationship can take place through the use of agent technologies, such as anthropomorphic agent-system. Available literature does not define sufficiently the construction methodologies of the agent systems in the context of the presented issues of cognitive ergonomics. As a result, it becomes necessary to undertake research in the field of ergonomics and evaluation of impact on users as well as business processes in which they participate.

Bartosz Kopka, Mariusz Żytniewski

Conference Proceedings

Worker’s Perception on Ergonomic Workstation Analysis: A Descriptive Study of L-Shaped Desk Usage

Ergonomic conditions and workers comfort during L-shaped desk usage in an occupational environment has not been extensively studied in the literature. Thus, the objective of this study was to describe how workers have spontaneously positioned their VDUs on L-shaped desks and to analyze related ergonomic aspects of the workstation and the worker’s comfort. Thirteen females and one male VDU worker were observed by a physiotherapist ergonomist during their working time and their comfort was evaluated when using the desk on an 11 point scale. Eight workers positioned the VDU on the concave edge of the desk and seven of them reported high levels of comfort. The main reason for workers positively evaluating this desk was the extra space provided by the desk, which increases the working area in relation to the traditional ones. Workers who evaluated their comfort as lower than 7 (n=6) usually maintained the VDU either on the straight part of the desk or on an intermediate area between the concave and the straight part of the desk (n=5). Observations performed during work revealed the need for environmental, organizational and ergonomic rearrangements of the workstation aiming to prevent musculoskeletal disorders among workers who use L-shaped desks.

Cristiane Moriguchi, Fabiana Foltran, Josiane Gonçalves

Conference Proceedings

Human vs. Machine in Life Science Automation: Comparing Effectiveness of Manual and Automated 3-D Cell Culturing Processes

There is an ongoing shift from 2-D cell culturing to 3-D approaches, particularly because three dimensional cell cultures better simulate in vivo conditions. Thus, automation of 3-D culturing processes is a current issue in life science automation, as it is supposed to provide standard qualities and the potential of large-scaled production of 3-D tissues. In the traditional production process, human sensory-motor and evaluation skills are essential for successful 3-D cultivation. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of an semi-automated HeLa-cell culturing process compared to traditional manual processing. HeLa cells were manually and automatically encapsulated in alginate matrices and cultivated in media with (+P/S) and without antibiotic (-P/S). The manual steps were carried out by skilled laboratory staff. The automated procedures were performed by the Biomek® Cell Workstation. The proliferation rates and toxicities were evaluated on day 1, 14 and 35. Further, measurements of the duration of the processes and an expert interview as well as process observation of novice and expert staff have been carried out. The proliferation rates of manual produced alginate beads +P/S were significantly higher compared to the rates of the semi-automated produced beads. Average proliferation rates of the manually and semi-automatically produced alginate beads –P/S were similar on all post production days. Further, our results showed a significant increase of the cytotoxicity +P/S and –P/S from day 1 to day 35 for both types of production. On day 1, the cytotoxicity of manual produced beads was significantly higher compared to semi-automated produced beads. Particularly on day 35 toxicity of alginate beads +P/S was significantly increased compared to beads –P/S. Concluding, single process duration of the automated alginate bead production is higher and effectiveness and efficiency of the manual bead production is slightly worse compared to manual processing. However, the main benefits of automated processes are a stable quality, high reproducibility and increased absolute sample production (24/7-operation).

Ricarda Lehmanna, Kerstin Thurowa, Regina Stollb, Matthias Weippertab

Conference Proceedings

Build an Ergonomics Program for an Industrial International Group

In order to protect health at work and to improve the performance of its sites, the Safran group is committed to implementing an ergonomics program at all of its sites in Europe and abroad. This article, based on both a literature review and preliminary feedback from the current process within the Safran group, presents the challenges of such a program, the program’s structure, its perspectives, and the questions it poses in its different modes of integration of ergonomics in a diverse environment.

Jean-François Thibault, Jacqueline Papin

Conference Proceedings

Ergonomics in Industry: Various Sectors Contributing to the Development of a New Product

The process of product development is one of the most important and complex stages for the industry. For a new product to get into the hands of the consumer, a lot of research and testing is performed. Although the intention is to generate a product that makes the difference the market, catches the attention of the consumer and can increase sales of the company, another issue is considered important: the production process. The integration between various areas of knowledge can provide solutions that meet diverse industrial needs that go beyond usability needs of users. This article will deal with a multidisciplinary team during the development of a new medical product. How can segments of knowledge apparently distant from each other work together and provide improvements to the employees of a company? This article shows how teamwork between professionals of Ergonomics, Industrial Design, Engineering, Medical, Production and Sales allowed the optimization of the production process, employee satisfaction and sales success.

Ademario Santos Tavares, Luiz Wilson Nunes de Albuquerque, André Francisco da Silva Sousa, Marcelo Márcio Soares

Conference Proceedings

Time Structure Analysis in Task with Manual Components of Work

A comparison of traditional work time study and the study of temporal parameters of operator’s performance demonstrate that they have both common and distinctive features. However, in both cases concept of time structure of performer’s activity should be considered. The term time structure is a new and important concept in the area of time study and work design. Very often we cannot design equipment or efficient methods of task performance if we do not know time stricture of activity during task performance. A fairly complex time structure of activity is encountered during a manual control of human-machine systems, where cognitive and behavioral actions have complex organization. Therefore, in this paper we consider time structure analysis in tasks with manual components of work.

G. Bedny, W. Karwowski, I. Bedny

Conference Proceedings

The Influence of the Stress of Logistics Professionals in the Organization's Results. A Theoretical and Practical Research with Specialists of the Area

With the globalization of economy, logistics has gained more importance on a global scale and logistics concept has been strengthened worldwide. The corporate world is more competitive every day and it is essential to put logistics as a business strategy. Considering the constant developments and changes in the corporate world, but specifically in this area, the logistics concept gained wider context, according to Di Serio, Sampaio Pereira (2006:4) " the logistics came to be seen as part of the management process supply chain that plans, implements and controls the flow and storage of goods , services and related information from point of origin to point of consumption in order to meet the needs of consumers . In this sense, logistics is presented as a response to the new context of competitiveness, supply chain management or supply chain management - SCM”. But this concept of evolution and constant struggle for competitiveness in current industrial scenario are generating some effects on professionals in this area and consequently also for organizations. Stress and daily workload affecting the quality of work life of these people. Vanderley and Ximenes (2008), claim that stress is the result of a complex reaction of physical and psychological components from exposure to situations that exceed the coping resources of the person. This article will seek to understand the impacts that the excessive workload and consequently the stress of these professionals can generate for logistics results and also to the organization. The research will be conducted in the main large companies in Curitiba, Brazil, and the data collected through interviews with professionals and also by historical records which these companies have.

Alessandro Vieira a, Giles Balbinotti b, Leandro Vieira c

Conference Proceedings

Anthropometric Consideration of Interior Design of City Buses

There are numerous researches that are connected with designing of the bus driver's workplace. However, there is no a study that has been conducted in relation to the designing of the interior of city buses from the anthropometric aspect. It is noticeable the lack of existence of the methodology for collecting the relevant ergonomic data that can be used at the designing stage of buses for public transport of passengers. This article is primarily concerned with solving the problem of selection of relevant anthropometric dimensions that need to be considered when designing the city buses. On the basis of adopted criteria, certain number of relevant anthropometric dimensions is initially selected for designing the interior of buses. In addition, the initial methodological approach has been further improved by creating the new anthropometric dimensions (such is, for example, the comfortable grip height) that should be measured in connection with designing certain elements of the bus interior. These dimensions are named the comfortable anthropometric dimensions. For each new dimension, the measurement method is described. In addition, each dimension is associated with the function that it has in terms of designing and positioning of certain parts of the interior of the bus.

Aleksandar Zunjic a, Svetozar Sofijanic b, Evica Stojiljkovic c

Conference Proceedings

Pushing and Pulling Risk Assessment in Fiat Group Automobiles Industrial Reality: Methods to Analyze Critical Operative Conditions According to ISO 11228-2 Principles

The Italian legislation, D.Lgs 81/08, requires employer to make the assessment of every risk the worker is exposed to, including the risk of biomechanical overload of musculoskeletal structure due to Manual Material Handling. In particular, the Italian legislation recalls international ISO standard of 11228 series as reference to Manual Material Handling risk assessment. More in deep, ISO 11228-2 is the reference standard to the risk assessment of pushing and pulling tasks. According to this standard, the risk assessment can be carried out using two analysis levels, each one characterized by a specific method. The first level analysis is deeply used in the industrial reality, it allows a fast screening of risk factors and it is based on an evaluation checklist and tables coming from Snook&Ciriello psychophysical tables. Psychophysical tables reports experimental force values based on risk factors of load, environment and operator characteristics. Effectively, the risk level is assessed by a comparison between measured initial and maintenance forces and the corresponding force values reported in Snook & Ciriello tables. Snook&Ciriello tables are a collection of experimental data (psychophysical data) and this is the main limitation in their use because of they don’t cover all conditions that could be present in the complex industrial reality as the automotive contest is. Therefore, Fiat Group Automobiles (FGA) has internally developed a conservative method to analyze pushing and pulling tasks, according to ergonomics principles mentioned in the legislation requirements and shared with Occupational Doctors. This method allows to assess the risk of biomechanical overload of pushing and pulling tasks, when the critical operative conditions of the task are not explicitly comparable to the discrete value of psychophysical tables. The developed method is based on standardize procedure to experimentally measure initial and maintenance forces as well as to statistically elaborate the experimental data. The application of this procedure allows to have repeatable and comparable experimental data, where an interpretability of the current legislation in open, because of ISO standard does not give detailed and unambiguous information to acquire and statistically manage the experimental forces data. Finally, a case study of FGA methodology application will be illustrated.

D. Germanàa, S. Spadaa, G. Lombardib, A. Baraccoc, M. Coggiolac, F. Sessad, L. Ghibaudoa

Conference Proceedings

Effects of Appearance on the Perceived Comfort of Automotive Seats

Automotive seat comfort is becoming one of the major aspects in distinguishing companies from their competitors. We here explored the role of the visual appearance of automotive seats in the perception of initial seat comfort. Unlike discomfort, the concept of comfort is regarded a highly subjective and multi-faceted phenomenon. This paper addressed the possibility of improving the perception of comfort through the mere manipulation of the visual appearance in otherwise identical automotive seats. In addition, the study explored gender differences in sensitivity to the effects of visual appearance and perceived comfort. The results showed that the visual appearance of physically identical seats had a large and statistically significant effect on perceived comfort. Furthermore, the effect of visual appearance on perceived comfort was found to be considerably larger for female participants. The results are discussed in the context of potential underlying mechanisms relating visual appearance to aesthetics, positive affect, perceived ergonomic quality, and product personality. Suggestions for future studies are provided with regards to visual design parameters and their effect on the perception of automotive seat comfort.

Tuğra Erol, Cyriel Diels, James Shippen, Dale Richards, Chris Johnson

Conference Proceedings

The Benefits of Developing People to Acquire Competences in Ergonomics

The current macroeconomic environment is highly competitive the search for best practices aimed at producing products and effectively and at lower cost services is a constant search for organizations thus ensuring that all resources are used optimally to maximize profit. To meet these needs the development of people have an important role in the whole process the acquisition or improvement of competences through training streamlining activities developing practices aimed at continuous improvement will help employees improve the quality of work life increasing their performance and productivity. Ergonomics is an applied science to the development of machines systems and tasks in order to provide greater security hygiene and comfort of the general working conditions helping to increase productivity and efficiency of the process and also to improve the quality of life of employees. This case study was conducted in an automotive industry with the aim of analyzing the efficiency and effectiveness in the development of competences related to ergonomics and accident prevention measures. The information reported in this study was obtained in a field survey using questionnaires data analysis and routine documents and observations of the day- to-day company.

Adriano Varasquin, Giles Balbinotti, Leandro Vieira, Nelson Colossi

Conference Proceedings

Ergonomic and Financial Benefits Reached Through the Application of a Kaizen Culture: Theoretical and Practical Study in An Automotive Industry

After the advent of the 2nd World War increased international competitiveness in the automotive industries, began to think about saving and lower production costs. For this purpose many ways were created to reduce costs and waste of raw materials and reduce activities that do not add value to manufacturing processes. In the early XVIII century comes the manufacturing system, which process were rigid with little concern for the health and safety of employees and the conditions of the work environment. After the advent of the production system called Lean Manufacturing, began a new way of thinking, with a lean process and without waste and reducing costs, without neglecting the welfare of the operator and improving conditions of their work environment. Some studies show that the companies that there is a culture Kaizen continuous improvement and reduction of activities that do not add value to the results of product quality and tax of absenteeism are better than those obtained in companies that do not exist this same culture. A reflection will be applied in this paper on the application of ergonomics in a lean production system of an automobile industry using Kaizen methodology based on the (Continuous Improvement) and how to deploy this methodology in culture in a manufacturing environment, will also be shown performance gains the conditions of the job, in addition to the financial gains that the organization can get. The research will be conducted by collecting data "in loco" and interviews with operators, technicians and managers.

Vieira Leandro a, Balbinotti Giles b

Conference Proceedings

A Product Design Process to Evaluate Users’ Intrinsic Satisfaction—Designing Center Consoles in Cars

Popular products such as cars, consumer electronics, and electronics have attained a high level of efficiency, usability, and performance. To increase user satisfaction by improving these aspects becomes very difficult. Since the standards of the users are becoming diverse, products that are superior in these aspects are not necessarily accepted, which is seen in the recent trend where users accept some mobile phones. Therefore, the introduction of a more comprehensive evaluation in the design process is necessary to satisfy the users’ intrinsic satisfaction. This study aims to suggest a process to determine a products’ design using intrinsic user satisfaction as indexes. Specifically targeting the center console in cars, this study models the relationship of the users’ intrinsic satisfaction and design elements of a car. In addition, by formulating this relationship, this study establishes a quantitative method to evaluate the users’ intrinsic satisfaction.

Shu Muraji a, Tsuneyuki Yamamoto b, Masayuki Kurihara b, Takashi Suzuki b, Miwa Nakanishi a

Conference Proceedings

Effectiveness of Auditory and Vibrotactile Cuing for Driver’s Enhanced Attention under Noisy Environment

If the warning signal is presented via visual or auditory stimulus, the auditory or visual interference with other information might arise. On the other hand, if vibrotactile cue is used, such interference would be surely reduced. Therefore, it is expected that a vibrotactile signal would be very promising as a warning signal especially under noisy environment. In order to clarify the most suitable modality of cue (warning) to a visual hazard under noisy environment, the following two cues were used in the experiment: (1) auditory cue and (2) vibrotactile cue. The condition of SOA (Stimulus Onset Asynchrony) was set to 0s, 0.5s, and 1s. The noose level inside the experimental chamber was 60dB(A), 70dB(A), 80dB(A), and 90dB(A). It was hypothesized that vibrotactile cue under noisy environment is more effective for quickening the reaction to a hazard than auditory cue. As a result, it was verified that the vibrotactile warning got more and more effective with the increase of noise level. The reaction time to the auditory warning was remarkably affected by the noise level, while the reaction time to the vibrotactile warning was not affected by the noise level at all. Moreover, the SOA condition did not remarkably affect the reaction time to the auditory or the vibrotactile warnings.

Atsuo MURATA, Takashi KURODA, Michihiro KANBAYASHI

Conference Proceedings

A Comparative Study of Design Perceptions of Vehicle Cluster Instruments by Designers and Non-Designers in India and Germany

Cultural differences in the perception of products can be studied by using the Repertory Grid Technique (RGT) where the idiosyncratic views of individuals are studied. This study examines the perceptions and prioritization of attributes with regard to six existing vehicle cluster instrument designs with thirteen designers each from India and Germany along with thirteen non-designers each from India and Germany (i.e., comparing German designers with Indian non-designers and Indian designers with German non-designers). The elicited constructs from interviews using RGT were categorized according to Hassenzhal’s (2004) Pragmatic and Hedonic qualities and their subcategories. The categorized data was compared along three metrics of Dominance, Importance and Descriptive Richness. Comparing designers and non-designers across cultures indicated differences in perceptions owing to the cultural background and education in design. For example, German designers emphasized the pragmatic aspects in comparison to Indian non-designers. Alternatively, Indian designers placed more importance to the Identification aspects (ex., exclusive, premium, sporty, etc) when compared to German non-designers. The design implications of these findings provide hints to designers on how to go about designing for Indian and German audiences.

Pratap Kalenahalli Sudarshan, Michaela Kauer, Ralph Bruder

Conference Proceedings

Maneuvering in Intersections – What Is the Specific Challenge for Elderly Drivers?Underlying Causes for Violations and a Design for an Assistive System

Statistics of traffic accidents in relation to specific situations and maneuvers show that in intersections elderly drivers have a significantly increased risk, especially when turning left. In cooperation with Ruhr University, Bochum, an extensive analysis of real maneuvers in various intersections has been undertaken by multiple-view video observations. The age of the drivers has been determined by rating the age as observable in the faces. It has turned out that this higher risk cannot be contributed to any distinctive constructive element in road. A subsequent experiment in a driving simulator has led to similar results. It is therefore plausible to assume that increased risk is related to already known age-related deficits in cognitive functions. These are of special importance for the dynamic and situational factors when maneuvering in an intersection, in contrast to the static factors as e.g. road design. In order to assist drivers in intersections when turning left, a Left-Turn- Assistant has been developed and evaluated in a driving simulator. It turns out that with the Intersection Assistant elderly drivers improve the quality of their decisions for their maneuvers significantly and no longer show an increased risk in comparison to experienced drivers in the medium-age category.

Katharina Dahmen-Zimmer, Alf C. Zimmer

Conference Proceedings

Synesthetic Metering for Speed

As proven by some studies, the approach to estimate the speed of travel has significant levels of error. In addition, the meters usually used, such as the speedometer, are not sufficient for the drivers perception of risks. Often the driver’s perception of speed is based on a comparison with other drivers present on the road. In addition, cars tend to be acoustically isolated and the noise of the engine therefore tends to be minimized. In this way, the references are even fewer and so drivers lack for signals that trigger their self-awareness with regard to the level of danger of driving at high speed. This is true, specially, concerning the situation when the driver needs to arrive at a certain time at his destination. Devices such as GPS and on-board computers provide guidance on travel time and arrival and the maximum speed allowed on any road, but they still do not provide the information necessary for a more effective use of speed and more efficient travel in terms of saving time. For this reason, we propose a system that advises the driver on the best speed in every part of the route, giving a better performance without exceeding the speed limit. This system uses auditory icons that reproduce the sound of a natural event (e.g. the wind) present in some situations while driving. Since this adds on channels of reception with a natural signal this is an effective and non-intrusive way of informing the driver.

João Paulo Cabrala, Rosângela Míriam Lemos Oliveira Mendonçaab

Conference Proceedings

Work Ergonomic Analysis and Change Laboratory: Similarities and Complementarities Between Interventionist Methods

The objective of this study is to compare the interventionist methodologies of Ergonomic Work Analysis (EWA) influenced by a French approach, and the Change Laboratory method based on the Activity Theory approach. This study aims at identifying complementarities and convergences between these methods to improve work related accident and diseases prevention. Reference publications of these two methodologies were selected to make a theoretical comparison between the approaches. The criteria selected for the comparison were: units of analysis and key concepts, main methodological principles, the role of demand, main steps of the method, the relationship between the diagnosis and creation and construction of new solutions processes, the role of researcher / interventionist, the role of practitioners and ethical issues. Based on this comparison, resources will be drawn from both approaches to map out the ingredients for efficient intervention for the prevention of accidents and health problems related to work. We argue that ergonomic analysis has as its main strength deep and detailed understanding of the actions and operations of workers engaged in real work, while, on the other hand, the Change Laboratory seeks understanding within a historical and systemic perspective and emphasizes intervention in the whole activity system.

Rodolfo AG Vilela a, Marco Antônio Pereira Querol b, Laura Seppänen c, Francisco de Paula Antunes Lima d, Renata Wey Berti Mendes e, Manoela Gomes Reis Lopes a, Ildeberto M. Almeida f, José Marçal Jackson Filhog

Conference Proceedings

A Library Based Tool to Assist the Generative Activity in Workstation Design

Workstation design processes are seldom as rigorous as product design processes. Instead, workstations are often “just built”. This commonly results in workstations that suffer from problems related to ergonomics, flexibility, logistics, productivity etc., in turn leading to reductions in human wellbeing and/or economics. The problem is seldom a lack of information, about ergonomics or other relevant areas, in itself. The problem is rather knowledge of how to find, interpret and use the information proactively in the design of workstations, e.g. in the definition of a complete set of goals for a successful design, or in the generation of design solutions that fulfil these goals. Moreover, the evaluation of a workstation design is typically performed on actual workstations, or physical mock-ups representing near-completed proposals. This paper argues that workstation design processes could gain from utilizing product design methodologies. In line with this, a novel and structured way of establishing a library of verified design solutions that fulfil certain requirements is presented in this paper. This would help the designer to select and generate solutions for the design task at hand, thus speeding up the design process and reducing the risk of redesign and rebuild, due to not fulfilling set requirements.

Christian Bergman, Dan Högberg, Gunnar Bäckstrand, Lena Moestam

Conference Proceedings

ERGO WORK - Creating the Best Places to Work

"Social Cohesion" is one of the seven main objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy, and including disabled people in the labour market is a key element. There are challenges associated with providing fit for purpose workplaces and job design for full inclusion of people with disabilities. Ergonomics as a discipline has a key role to play. This paper describes the premise behind, and initial research undertaken within the 10 partner, European funded project "ERGO WORK - joining academia and business for new opportunities in creating ERGOnomic WORKplaces". The picture across Europe is variable in terms of workplace inclusion, and in the application of ergonomics and universal design. The project aims to encourage cooperation between universities, businesses and other organizations to improve learning, teaching and knowledge transfer in respect to ergonomic workplace design for disability. In the long term, the impact of the project is intended to be improved equal employment opportunities, enhanced understanding of universal design and principles for providing quality working environments in Europe. This paper describes the project rationale and some preliminary data from a scoping study to understand the provision for disability made in workplaces across Poland, Slovenia and the UK. Future work is outlined.

Grażyna O'Sullivan, Louise Moody, Janet Saunders Andreja Čurin, Marjan Leber

Conference Proceedings

The User-Oriented Integration of a Decision Support System for Tunnel Control – Challenges in Methodic and Design

Developing a decision support system with the goal of a seamless integration into different existing complex system environments is a very challenging task. Especially if these environments are characterized by a high heterogeneity, a high dynamic of the information to be processed by the working operator and the uniqueness of occurring event situation that requires a non-linear task solving processes. Supporting operators in this context means supporting their decisions by providing an appropriate information basis for the quick and easy assessment of risk and event situations. The aim of this paper is to describe the methodical and the design challenges that occur during the individual phases of the development of such a system for the specific context of tunnel control. The results are based on analytical and empirical studies conducted within a research project on integration of a real-time-security-management-system for tunnel control centers. In order to determine the requirements, a methodical mix of interviews, observation and cognitive walkthroughs was performed in 12 tunnel control centers in Germany, Austria and Luxembourg. During this, the used methods could be refined and adapted to the development of a decision support system for the present context.

Sebastian Spundflasch, Heidi Krömker

Conference Proceedings

Designing for Future Professional Activity – Examples from Ship Bridge Concept Design

This paper proposes a design approach for generating radical design concepts for professional activity. The approach includes analysis of domain-specific work activity, user-experience goals setting as well as work domain and technology trend foresight. The intention of the approach is that the concept solutions reflect the existing means and professional recourses applied in work activity, the potential benefits of future technology, and the existing and future challenges particular to a certain work domain. This approach is exemplified with a ship command bridge design case in which future bridge concepts were generated for three ship types: tugboats, platform supply vessels, and cargo ships. Several subject-matter expert interviews and observations were conducted for gathering understanding required to generate the concept ideas. From the existing user-centred design approaches, our approach combines elements of experience design, co-design, and contextual design, but includes certain features for the purpose of creating radical instead of incremental design solutions, the latter typically being the result of user-centred design. These features include, futurology, generation of broad systems usability design goals with Core-Task Analysis method, reformulation of user-experience goals into themes, stories, or personas, and co-design in the end of the concept design process.

Mikael Wahlströma, Hannu Karvonena, Eija Kaasinena, Petri Mannonenb

Conference Proceedings

Nonlinear Dynamical Analysis of Eye Movement Characteristics

The purpose of this study was to clarify eye movement characteristics during a visual search using nonlinear dynamics (scaling properties). More concretely, the fractal dimensional analysis by means of the box-counting technique was carried out for the time series data of x- and y-directional gaze-locations. The eye movement characteristics during two types of search tasks were measured and analyzed. It tended that the search time increased with the increase in task difficulty such as the display range and the layout complexity. For both x- and y-directional eye movements, it tended that the scaling property represented by the fractal dimension increased with the increase of difficulty of a search task. The fractal dimension also tended to be smaller for the wide display than for the narrow display. On the basis of the result that the search time and the x- and y-directional fractal dimensions were not so strongly related, we inferred that the search time and the fractal dimension stem from the different mechanism underlying a variety of search activities.

Atsuo MURATA, Tomoya MATSUURA, Makoto MORIWAKA

Conference Proceedings

Comfort Optimization Method for Work Equipment Based on a Digital Hand Model

Comfort optimization for work equipment handles frequently fails in practice because of high temporal complexity and high development costs, coupled with the pressure of shorter development times. Handle design also has a strong subjective element rooted in the communication of comfort as sensation. Finally, handle design lacks an objective method to make comfort measurable. This paper presents a new method for achieving comfort optimization of work equipment based on a digital hand model, using the example of an iron bender. After determining significant factors of the work equipment, a so-called work equipment dependent pressure discomfort model (PDT model) is derived. The paper then focuses on practical creation of a finite element method (FEM) hand model. Finally, handle design parameters such as shape, size, material and surface can be derived from the FEM hand model in relation to the PDT model.

Peter Gust, Aydin Ünlü

Conference Proceedings

Intangible Cultural Heritage and Digital Communications

ICT aims to democratize the access to information for individuals despite their professional, social and/or personal objectives. Digital artifacts became an interactive way to promote the contact between individuals and entities while pursuing information about a particular issue. Intangible Cultural Heritage is an area of knowledge which by means of digital artifacts can expand its field of action. The impact of digital artifacts on ICH on creation, management and delivery of information was recognized by ICOMOS and European Union; however the knowledgeable entities do not invest on the conception of this kind of documents. The results are inefficient websites which communicate information as if they were traditional static documents. Recurrently, considerations of communication and interaction design are excluded from digital artifacts’ conceptual process. The authors elected three Portuguese cases which illustrate the scarcity of information, an interface difficult to interact with, the failure of inclusive design principles, a questionable aesthetical and functional layout and navigation and particularly the nearly inexistence of interaction chances for the user. This paper proposes an analysis of the impact of digital artifacts on ICH, as well as the design concepts along the conceptual process of these digital artifacts, namely websites. The main objective is to propose a set of guide lines to help creative professionals conceive websites oriented to ICH in order to attract and support different kinds of users.

Cristina Caramelo Gomesª, Maria Luísa Costa b

Conference Proceedings

Wearable Devices: A Design Approach Through Biodesign and Ergonomics

Nowadays there is a great inclination to modify well-being concept and health care by changing the technology in “wearable”. For this reason the relation between human body and new technologies are changing deeply and continually. The design necessarily should drive these changes. It is fundamental to understand if design is able to filling the gap in wearables project, caused by the absence of a user-oriented approach. The design development of the wearable device needs to accomplish the requirements of comfort and adaptableness connected to the anatomy of human body. From this point of view, the wearable is not an overlapping structure but “a second skin”. These aspects require a study about the ergonomics and “wear-ability”. Users often reject objects felt unfamiliar to own body, even if they can improve daily life. This happens because sometimes the designer overlooks the relationship between body and wearables, which involve both physical and psychological side. The study in wearable area is directed toward a new phase, where the attention is on the user desire. This paper presents the result of the research developed by Biodesign Lab of Politecnico di Milano: a methodological approach, which is based on a combination between the Lines of Non Extension, a theory made by Iberall and the unobtrusive areas set by the Institute of Complex Engineered System. The research has developed an instrument able to support and guide the design process.

Marita Canina

Conference Proceedings

Accessibility Passport Model for Designing Inclusive Games– A Requirement Engineering Viewpoint

While disability and other types of user exclusion issues are evident in society at present and thereby universal design is a key concern in design society, less effort towards inclusive games design is obvious. Designing inclusive games are authoritative and it would therefore be important to recognize any framework or model that could be followed to come up with any well-adjusted inclusive games design solution. In this paper an accessibility passport model for inclusive games design was proposed. The model was based on and originated from a requirement engineering model for inclusive games design which was also presented. The accessibility passport model was combined with the requirement engineering model together with different accessibility passport features which could be suitable for inclusive games design as projected in this the paper. The accessibility passport features and model were then discussed within the context of sustainable system design and a new concept of universal design, where usability augmentation was prioritized through the practice of universal design by considering further than the scope of accessibility issues only intended for triggering the innovation process for future games design.

Moyen Mohammad Mustaquim

Conference Proceedings

Software Interfaces of the Jaco Robotic Arm: Results of a Focus Group

Robotics is a good opportunity for developing assistive technologies that could provide greater functionalities to provide for more independent activities of daily living. The Jaco robotic arm is one of these devices. Using standard joystick control requires fine motor skills, which are often lacking in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). A user-centered approach was conducted to design two alternative graphical user interfaces to control the Jaco arm. Firs, five Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) were designed: three based on a software keyboard and two on pie menu concepts. The three software keyboards differ from the visual representation: text buttons, icon buttons, or color organization and are adapted to the Jaco’s control modes. The two pie menus differ according to the interaction technique used to access the second level of the pie menu, i.e. the two techniques designed: pointing and “goal crossing”. Then two groups (one of occupational therapists and another of persons with quadriplegia caused by SCI) were invited to answer a questionnaire to collect their feedback and evaluate their future needs regarding the five GUIs presented. Following the focus group two GUIs were proposed taking into account these issues. The paper will discuss the user-centered approach and the issues that arose at each stage of the design.

Nadine Vigouroux a, Damien Sauzin a, Frédéric Vella a

Conference Proceedings

Visual Comfort and Human Wellbeing at Coworking Environs

The lighting design in workplace environments involves/demands multidisciplinary knowledge; however, the principle that supports its conception is repeatedly grounded on aesthetical considerations and technical requirements rather than on comfort and inclusive solutions. Besides legislation it is important to observe how people work and the requirements and expectations felt by individuals according to the tools used, spatial layout, geographical orientation, windows area and the reflectance of the surfaces. Natural light aims to illuminate working plans while it is a crucial factor to manage human circadian cycle and mood. Contemporaneous workplace concept is changing to respond to economic pressure and technical improvements. Coworking spaces require a deep understanding as they shelter people from different professional, cultural and social backgrounds with different gender and age issues. Anthropometric and ergonomic concepts are fundamental for a healthy and comfortable environ in which lighting design emerge and deserve special attention. This piece of research aims to study the “do´s and don’ts” of lighting design in a workplace layout in a way that it becomes useful for future humanised planning of coworking environments. In order to achieve such goals this research will be conducted throughout literature review stemming from elected keywords and the analysis of two case studies: Lx CoWorking and Ávila CoWorking, in Lisbon.

Cristina Caramelo Gomesª, Sandra Preto b

Conference Proceedings

An Ergonomic Vision of Actors and Resources in Distance Education Environment

Comparative studies aim to identify, describe and evaluate conceptual and technological innovations focused on the continuous training of students with emphasis on distance education methodologies and tools. The learning process in web-based instructional models becomes a complex commitment to educator, just as the blackboard and the chalk paradigm had been in the past, when the blackboard and chalk were deemed the formal means of transfer of knowledge between the professor and the student in the traditional school environment. Breaking this paradigm is just the initial step to accept the "Invisible School" and the "remote" teacher, who can be "turned on and off" by the students, according to their time constraints and learning conveniences, which are as flexible as the selection of roadmaps on the development of the curriculum frameworks of what should be learned, and where to learn, with whom to learn and when to learn. Some Distance Education environments are being designed by web-designers and html language programmers, and it is expected that the final product, besides presenting a friendly interface and pleasant visual, can also present a pedagogical environment and ergonomic relationships with its users.

Isnard Thomas Martins b, Edgard Thomas Martinsb, Marcelo Márcio Soaresc

Conference Proceedings

Development of e-Learning System for Network Education and Visualization

Recently, as Internet becomes over ground and most effective for our lives, in higher education, especially information engineering, network and communication are ones of the most important and indispensable subjects for almost all the students to learn in a short period. There are many trials to teach and educate some theoretical and practical understanding of network and communication. In fact, however, network and communication, particularly a viewpoint of Internet, have a very huge scope and include a lot of themes to understand in a relatively short period. So we have developed a limited scope and self-learning oriented facility of application program for e-Learning tool for network/communication study. Our key topics are as follows: Web-based e-Learning tool, Focusing of IP(Internet Protocol), Easy-drawing network topology, Animation of Packet transmission, Illustration of routing mechanism, and so on. We have applied our e-Learning tool into real classroom lectures and had some questionnaires for technical course and beginning course after trial questionnaire for laboratory members. It is confirmed that our e-Learning tool has been significant for learning network/communication based on the above questionnaire.

Chiaki Kawanishi, Yoshiro Imai

Conference Proceedings

Anthropometry as a Resource in the Learning Process of Ergonomics / Human Factors & Design

The Design Faculty’s Ergonomics Research Line at the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (UPB) in Medellín, Colombia, which provides the basis for courses in Ergonomics and Design, has developed a series of didactic strategies that are included in the academic training of industrial designers. These strategies develop students’ ability to recognize – within a framework of Ergonomics/Human Factors – conceptual criteria, techniques and Anthropometric procedures for the design process. This proposal presents theoretical and practical activities designed by the Ergonomics Research Line of the Design Studies Group (GED) at UPB, within the framework of the Anthropometry for Design: Manual and Measuring Equipment research project. This project entails the development of Anthropometry approach exercises, a procedure for sizing objects based on anthropometric criteria. It has also led to a basic research process for the erGO research seedbed (thematic examination, current state of the industry and the development of a prototype of an instrument for measuring hands). The project also acts as a motivational endeavor for the students: through these proposals, they contribute towards the creation of a laboratory of Ergonomics/Human Factors from the anthropometric component.

Luz M. Sáenz, Ana María Lotero, Emilio Cadavid, Gustavo Sevilla

Conference Proceedings

Space Usability Study from the Point of View of the Teacher in Public Schools from 1st to 5th Grade in the City of Bauru, SP, Brazil

Spaces and furniture are considered pedagogical material having fundamental importance in the result of the performance of student's and teacher's work. For this study there was special attention regarding the application of teaching methodologies that rely on these physical elements. It shows how the teacher uses it in the evaluated places. Due this terms, a study was conducted in 34 classrooms among eight elementary schools with children between 6 and 10 years old in the city of Bauru in the state Sao Paulo, Brazil . In this study we compared the area differences found in the classrooms of these schools and impossibilities of applying distinct types of lay outs or assortments as well as the movement difficulties of the teacher in the classroom . This point was crucial because it is the basis of the usability of spaces and furniture in education from the point of view of the teacher. The amount and quality of space may cause some loss in teaching performance, because space may become a limit to the teacher's work.

Adriana Lima Caversan, José Carlos Plácido da Silva

Conference Proceedings

Influence of the school furniture design on the body posture of college students

This study examined the perceptions of college students regarding body posture (trunk inclination) adopted while using chair with tablet arm and their preference for two chair models (with and without armrest), and also the associations between these variables and sex, age, course shift and school furniture design. Overall, 420 students aged 22.4 ± 5.0 years of different courses and shifts participated in the study. A questionnaire containing identification data and questions about students' perceptions regarding the trunk position leaned over the tablet arm and their preference for the existence of chair armrest was used. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test (p < 0.05) were used. It was found that 63.6% of students mentioned staying more than half the time of a class with trunk leaned over the tablet arm and 67.9% would like to have chair armrest at the opposite side of the tablet arm. There was association between body posture and sex (p = 0.003), in which women mentioned leaning more the trunk laterally and/or anteriorly than men and with the current school furniture design (p = 0.003), i.e., chair without armrest, the proportion of students who leaned the trunk over the tablet arm was greater.

Adriana Seára Tirloni, Diogo Cunha dos Reis, Marcelo Soares, Antônio Renato Pereira Moro

Conference Proceedings

Proposal for a Method to Clarify Customer Needs Using HI (Human Interface) Patterns

We have been developing methods of clarifying and describing customer needs for usability on the basis of human-centered design (HCD) processes. This paper proposes a method of clarifying customer needs in requirements definitions through prototype creation. This method helps system engineers (SEs) without expertise to create and evaluate suitable prototypes by offering prototype components based on the classification of customer needs. These components are defined as HI (human interface) patterns that have four layers of screen transitions, screen layouts, screen elements, and color combinations. This proposed method is assumed to solve problems with previous prototypes such as those where it was not easy for unskilled SEs to create prototypes that reflected customer needs. We confirmed the effectiveness of this method and found additional problems by applying it to a system development project.

Ryosuke Okubo, Yukiko Tanikawa, Shin’ichi Fukuzumi

Conference Proceedings

Influence of Web Usability as Stimulus to Generate Positive Emotions

The study of web usability has forayed into increasingly subjective scopes, such as user experience, where usability is regarded as a stimulus that may impact in the generation of positive emotions. This nexus between usability and positive emomciones still has several questions, since the studies show mixed results and have not been able to establish a critical relationship between them. However, there is a tendency to suggest that better usability is the trigger for express positive emotions about the use of that product. An usability test allow us get metrics about the usability components, which were analyzed in relation to the positive emotions reported by users through the PrEMO tool after using a design. Do the results we can assume that the relationship of the usability with positive emotions lacks a determinant structure, even if the frequency in which emotions like fascination were generated made us assume that it would be strongly affected by variations in the usability, otherwise the further analysis showed negative relationship and pointed that usability metrics like quality level of completed tasks and perceived mental effort are those that have a greater relationship with the expression of positive emotions.

Irma Cecilia Landa Ávilaa, Lilia Roselia Prado Leónb

Conference Proceedings

Usability Test for a Bank Service Website

The purpose of this study is to analyze one of the biggest electronic banking products in México, from the usability point of view. Two kind of analysis were made: a heuristic analysis and a user test. The heuristic analysis was based on previously defined models by Eason (1984), Leventhal and Barnes (2007) and Bastien and Scapin (1993). The format of the site design has an adequate visual style and legibility, and provides some shortcuts. But the analysis showed some negative issues too, matching the user test results. 7 people, 23 to 37 years old, participated in the user test. It consisted on two on-line transactions on the web service, considered some of the most common transactions, complemented with two questionnaires. Although all of them finished the required tasks, 29% stated they had some problem to do it, and a high percentage (71%) said it was not easy to find the needed sections on the web service. The information they got from the service was understandable just for 43% of the users, and none of them expressed the design and organization of the web service made easier the tasks for them. Based on both analyses, some proposals were made for improving the service.

Rossy CossyLeon-Pereza, Brenda Gallardo-Vazqueza, Marcelo Soaresb

Conference Proceedings

Research of Website Interaction Design Based on UX

This paper makes a research of the relationship between interaction design elements and Kansei image words along with user preference based on user experience, Kansei Engineering and Interaction Design. First, four representative group buying websites were selected by the multidimensional scaling analysis and clustering analysis, and the interaction design elements were extracted by the discussion of experts and the method of morphological analysis, then the emotional assessment scale was established. Second, the article aims to build a correlation model between the interaction design elements and Kansei image words along with user preference via encoding the interaction design elements though quantification theory I, using the neural network algorithm, and then optimizes the design parameters with genetic algorithm.

Fu Guo, Qing-Xing Qu, Xia-Ying Zhang, Wen-Ting Ye, Huan Wang, Xue-Shuang Wang

Conference Proceedings

Terminology Matters: About Labeling Used in the User Interfaces of Home Networking Devices

This paper presents the results of a terminology survey on home networking. The results of this study show that all of the major brands of home networking appliances use complex terminology in their user interfaces and that a very small percentage of people know the meaning of these terms.

Abbas Moallem

Conference Proceedings

Usability Evaluation of Engineering Research Center for Compact Efficient Fluid Power Website

This study aims to investigate usability problems of the National Science Foundation engineering research center for compact and efficient fluid power (CCEFP) website and provides design recommendations to improve it. A discounted usability evaluation technique, heuristic evaluation was applied and followed by a usability testing. Usability metrics were then analyzed. Top usability problems were discussed in detail. Findings from this study can help CCEFP improve its effectiveness and efficiency of their website and better serve the fluid power community.

Dorian Davis, Olivia Leak, Steven Jiang

Conference Proceedings

Data Gathering for Ergonomic and Design Evaluations: Issues and Pitfalls

There are moments within the process of creating an artifact, for instance at the initial requirements gathering or in the assessment phase, that input data is collected from users. There may be an impact directly on the results of the analysis of this data if, for some reason, this data input is not accurate. Another important matter when designing a new artifact is to find out the appropriate number of product reviewers that would better reflect the views of the target population to which the product is intended. In order to contribute to the strategy of increasing the accuracy of the evaluations and minimizing the chance of errors of judgment, this article identifies some case studies where the input from the users is not accurate because of the presence of a phenomenon known as Conjunction Fallacy and also where the number of product reviewers is not calculated properly. This article also presents a possible strategy to minimize errors of judgment caused by the fallacy and also presents a case study where the number of evaluators is calculated correctly by using statistical methods.

Fabio Camposa, Dino Lincolna, Maria Nevesb, Walter Correiaa, Marcelo Soaresa

Conference Proceedings

PLT (Persona Logical Thinking): A Method to Generate User Requirements for Multidisciplinary Design Teams

In this paper, we present a new original method to generate user requirements, Persona Logical Thinking (PLT). Because this method combines several ways of reasoning (empathetic thinking and logical thinking), we hypothesized that it would be particularly efficient for multidisciplinary design teams. To test this assumption, we compared PLT to an empathetic method and to a logical method for generating user requirements for tablets in the education field. We organized working sessions of 60 minutes with 4 designers (from student population of engineers, industrial designers and ergonomists). Nine working sessions were conducted with a total of 36 participants (21 males and 15 females aged 25 years old on average). To evaluate the effectiveness of the three methods, we collected two variables: quantity and originality of user requirements, classified into three categories (User's Needs, Product Functions and Technical Solutions). Our results show that teams were more productive with PLT for the generation of product functions (examples: thinness, being powerful, long life battery…), including original functions (be recyclable, be resistant to chemical substances...). These preliminary results being promising for improving the innovation process, we discuss the future steps that would be necessary to validate our method.

Jessy Barré, Stéphanie Buisine, Améziane Aoussat

Conference Proceedings

Application of a User-Centered Design Approach to the Definition of a Knowledge Base Development Tool

Knowledge Bases (KB) are used to store structured and unstructured information about a specific subject. KB are a key element of Expert Systems, a type of Computer-Based Information Systems designed to analyze and offer recommendations and explanations about a specific problem domain, providing support when human experts are not available or helping experts dealing with very demanding and critical problems, usually because of the problem’s complexity, the volume of information processed, and the pressure for short time answers. Developing KB is a quite difficult task, since there is the need to figure out and map, among others, the knowledge elements, organization, context of use, composition and representation, relations, importance and the reasoning processes used to feed the inference process, combining the inputs coming from real world data with such knowledge in order to present the desired outputs. In this paper we propose to address the context and issues involved in defining the requirements for designing a KB development tool, which supports cooperative and participatory processes of knowledge elicitation, which, despite the eventual complexity of the problem at hand, are intuitive and easy to implement. This calls for an approach that carefully considers the principles and methodologies proposed by User-Centered Design.

Mário Simões-Marques, Isabel L. Nunes

Conference Proceedings

Multi-Method Systems Modeling and Analysis: Is It Possible to Apply Holistic Design, Linking the Physical and Cognitive Aspects?

The objective of this study is to present relevant data which would support proposed taxonomy and methodology in physical-cognitive based control models of human performance. This approach can be applied directly to the development of emerging worker/user body systems with equal emphasis on biomechanical and cognitive performance. The worker’s biomechanical and physiological responses and functions are not imposed by the environment but are established by the system itself. Thus, there is an emerging need for the concept of a human system with perceptive insight into the complexity of the mutual relationships of the human biomechanical measures and cognitive factors. The description of human operators/users should reflect the biomechanical measures of fatigue and the complexity of brain activity, which includes cognition and the dynamic process of knowing. Many system control problems arise from a lack of attention to the interactions among different human system components in relation to the work/activity environment. In order to predict the ecological connectivity there is an arising necessitation to model the mutual relationships of environment, perception, body sensors and task. The proposed method can be represented in terms of control-theoretical features for quantitative predictions in the various work environment behaviors.

Krystyna Gielo-Perczak

Conference Proceedings

Development of a Method Based on Ergonomics Activity Analysis in Order to Enhance Knowledge and Skills in Product Design Comfort

This paper’s purpose is to present and propose a method to enhance knowledge in comfort and discomfort in aircraft interior design, under Ergonomics Activity Analysis (EAA) methodological approach. Literature shows that comfort is an important subject to consider in competitive airlines market that may improve and differentiate companies and brands. Making a literature analysis and review, it was possible to verify that development of comfort in aircraft interiors design project is no easy task for engineers and designers. Moreover, comfort and interior design in aircraft are guided by several standards and rules, and these restrictions might diminish the possibilities on creation process. Notwithstanding, this paper proposes a multidisciplinary method originally developed to study comfort and discomfort in aircraft interiors, which are finally shown to be affordable to enhance capability in design product project.

Felipe Mujica, Laerte Idal Sznelwar

Conference Proceedings

Prototype-Centered Design: For Better Interactive Design Process

Several authors have talked about the complexity of the design activity, pointing several factors to its elevation, such as: globalization, reduction of the development cycle and product diversification, sustainability, rapid changes in user behavior, new materials and production technologies, ... it has expanded the research in methodology and stimulated the emergence of new technologies applied to the development of projects such as: 3D scanning, rapid prototyping and rapid manufacturing technologies. In this context, after several research about methodology and design management, we find that the design process could become more interactive and efficient if the prototyping activity could assume the central role in the design process and if appropriate prototypes were used in each phase, stage and purpose of design. Those factors could improve the management, the communication inside the team and among other actors in the process and expand the insertion and evaluation of user requirements. Accordingly, this article will present the results of a doctoral research in design which proposes a new design methodology centered on the prototype and the results obtained after the completion of a projective challenge to experiment and validate that methodology.

Manoel Guedes Alcoforadoa, José Carlos Plácido da Silvab, Luis Carlos Paschoarellib

Conference Proceedings

Usability Evaluation of MOSES (Monitoring and Operating System for Emergency Services Tablet)

MOSES Tablet is a device specifically made for Filipinos to help prepare them for climactic disasters through its software applications. Currently in prototype stage, the tablet is not yet tested for usability. This study focused on the usability evaluation of the tablet before its deployment to different barangays all over the Philippines. Five officials from different barangays were asked to undergo the usability test. MOSES applications received high ratings on effectiveness and overall look and impression, but varied ratings on learnability and ease of use. NOAH and Arko are the top 2 desired applications by most test subjects, but they received the lowest ratings on ease of use. For NOAH, 3 of 5 test subjects had difficulty choosing the right option when checking a specific type of weather information. Most users agreed that performing tasks with Arko was difficult and more complicated than NOAH. Distinguishing between the functions of the two applications is quite difficult for one test subject. For other applications, issues about unrecognizable icons, illegible font size and hard to perceive message alerts were observed, among others.Given the findings from the study, it can be concluded that usability evaluation is indeed necessary in the development of MOSES tablet. Issues and problems that users encountered were revealed and thus could help in improving its design for the users.

Sarah Jane Carillo, Neil Adam L. Marinas, Richelle Relator, Lorelie C. Grepo

Conference Proceedings

Usability-Based Mobile Phone Selection for Communications in Emergency Situations

The work presented here describes the selection process of mobile phones with better usability for use in emergency situations in Portugal. In emergency management, communications are a fundamental asset for limiting the consequences of risky situations. Since mobile phones have revolutionized the way people communicate they can constitute an opportunity to be used in information exchange during emergency situations. In this study the mathematical methodology developed by (Jeelani, 2011) - which holistically represents human factors’ issues associated with the use of mobile phone in emergency - was adapted to the Portuguese context. This methodology allows the rating of mobile phones in terms of suitability for use in emergency situations, having the satisfaction of user needs as a main priority. The methodology used in this study comprehends three phases: identification of the more important features of mobile phones for use in emergency situations; determination of the selection factors relative importance, using Analytic Hierarchy Process; and usability testing of five mobile phones using Cognitive Walkthrough protocol, with 20 individuals.

Isabel L. Nunes, Duarte Patriarca, Ana Sofia Matos

Conference Proceedings

Ergonomic Design for Young Users of Mobile Phones

Children and adolescents increasingly use mobile phones worldwide. The Report Information and Communications for Development 2012 shows that between 2000 and 2012 the world-wide use of mobile phones has grown from 1 to about 6 billion, resulting in a mobile revolution that is changing our lifestyles. After less than forty years, mobile phones, initially complex, heavy and expensive have become light, handy, economic, visually attractive and multifunctional. These technological and aesthetic improvements allowed high usability for all, especially for children. The physical, cognitive and social ergonomic characteristics of mobile phones for younger users need to be considered in order to ensure their wellbeing: physical ergonomics implies for example the prevention of awkward postures, musculoskeletal disorders, eye sight and hearing overload, electromagnetic fields exposure; cognitive ergonomics includes the prevention of dual tasks (such as texting while driving/walking), over connection, addiction and abuse; social ergonomics might prevent cyberbullism, sex messaging, self and other aggressive and violent behavior. As an example of precaution, this paper discusses how different countries have started education campaigns for the safe use of mobile phones among children, by minimizing radiofrequency exposures, according to international recommendations and the precautionary principles.

Giliberti Claudiaa, Figà Talamanca Ireneb, Salerno Silvanac

Conference Proceedings

Ergonomic Engineering of a Mobile Walker

Due to demographic development and rising problems in cost and resource management in health care and social systems, higher demands with respect to assistance for the elderly in everyday life are to be expected. Especially the need for mobile walker to assist people with developmental differences has risen throughout the years. Against this background, ergonomic product design is used in most parts of the construction of such walkers and their properties. On this basis, much care is taken in designing the man/technology interfaces (MTI) to increase the usability of medical products. Surveys of users have shown that an improvement of MTI of mobile walkers is necessary. This medical equipment allows deriving forces which need to be transmitted by the human hand. The ergonomic design of the walker handles needs to be adapted to the user requirements. In this paper, several problems with conventional handles and the problems such handles cause are discussed. To prove the benefits of adapting the handles to ensure better support, conclusions based on the results from experiments that were carried out are drawn. Increasing the usability by reconstructing the product with a user-oriented geometry and taking ergonomic aspects into consideration is achieved comparatively easily.

Sebastian Kamp, Tilmann Spitz, Ulf Müller, Nico Feller

Conference Proceedings

Surprise as a Design Strategy in Goal-oriented Mobile Applications

Emotions are important in product experiences. Besides utilitarian aspects in interacting with technological products, recent research has focused on hedonic and affective aspects of product interaction. Designing unexpected product features evoking surprise has proven to be advantageous for product user interaction and user experience. Especially, in classical product design surprising the user is an efficient design strategy to create pleasurable products. However, current research has not extensively focused on the effects of surprise in technological interactive products. It is important to understand users´ experiences in relation to unexpected events in digital products in order to design pleasurable and engaging technological products. Therefore, the focus of this study is to resolve how surprise affects user experience in goal-oriented mobile applications. The product features evoking surprise is conveyed via visual user interface design by manipulating visual characteristics of the user interface elements. The results of this study indicate that introducing surprise in goal-oriented contexts does not have a positive effect on users. It seems that an unexpected interruption of task flow lets satisfaction levels drop. Results of this study provide novel insights how surprise affects user experience in technological products and can be utilized in designing mobile applications.

Alice Gross, Johanna Silvennoinen

Conference Proceedings

An Application of Ballistic Movement Method for Evaluating the Effects of Movement Direction Using a Standard Mouse

Most studies on the effect of movement direction utilized Fitts’ law; however, the use of Fitts’ law has a limitation of discriminating the extent to which properties of speed and accuracy contribute to the aiming movement time. Hence, this study aimed at utilizing the two ballistic movement models to separately assess speed and accuracy. Four participants performed ballistic movements with a standard computer mouse in eight radial directions. The measured movement time and two axes of end-point variability were analyzed using the two ballistic movement models. The results showed that two ballistic movement models accounted well for the measured data in various movement directions, and movement direction had certain effects on movement time, aiming-constant error, and aiming-variable error. Movements took the shortest times in the directions of 0° and 180°. Participants aimed targets with a counterclockwise angle when moving toward 90°, 135°, 180°, and 225°, and with a clockwise angle when moving toward 270°, 315°, 0°, and 45°. Aiming-variable errors were relatively smaller along cross axes, compared to those along diagonal axes. Ballistic movement models, compared to Fitts’ law, provided individual performance information of “speed” and “accuracy”, helping provide detail information for HCI designs.

Ray F. Lin, Yi-Chien Tsai, Chi-Yu Huang, Min-Hsin Lin

Conference Proceedings

Physiological Workload Response of Laboratory Staff during simulated Life Science Processes

High demands for new drug development and advances in robotic technologies have led to automation of compound screening and biological culturing processes in life sciences. Nevertheless, not only cognitive skills during planning, programming, supervision, and evaluation are mandatory but also human manual skills are still essential for system performance in highly automated life science laboratories. Aim of this study was to assess the physiological workload response during simulated cell culturing tasks.20 healthy volunteers underwent a standardized test protocol including typical cell laboratory tasks. Cardio-respiratory parameters including heart rate (HR), breathing frequency, minute ventilation, oxygen uptake (VO2) and blood pressure (DBP, SBP) were measured and analyzed.There were strong effects of task condition on blood pressure (SBP: F(10,210)=30.8, p<0.001, η² = .618; DBP: F(10,210)=17.9, p=.000, η²= .485), HR (F(10,210)=34.5, p<0.001; η²= .793) and VO2 (F(10,210)=253.5, p<0.001; η²= .969). Especially during material transportation including static work components, SBP and DBP increased significantly, while HR and VO2 were significantly elevated during dynamic transportation tasks.We found significant increases of physiological activation during typical tasks in a modern life science laboratory. During transportation tasks including stepping stairs, average HR reached cut-offs for sustained effort (120 bpm), during all other tasks HR was well below these cut-offs. Episodes of static muscular work during charging and transportation where associated with blood pressure elevations. However, as these muscular loads occur only intermittent during a work shift these elevations seem to be uncritical. Nevertheless, individual assessment is advised for persons at risk.

Matthias Weippertab, Annika Riegera, Ricarda Lehmanna, Weiping Zhanga, Kerstin Thurowa, Regina Stollb

Conference Proceedings

Ergonomic Design Thinking - Approaching Ergonomics Through a New Way For Performing Innovation in the Workplace

Design Thinking is somewhat understood as a tool for acquiring design optimization but still far from being considered as an instrument for competitive advantage. The main idea to that approach is based on the concept that one can apply the kind of thinking designers employ when solving problems to business related or work system optimization. Instead of ordinary decision-making methods, designers resource to iterative processes. This translates into nonlinear reasoning and creative thinking. Thus, according to Design Thinking theory, we can apply innovative schemes and creative actions in the course of carrying out any kind of project, or even business venues. The proposition set forth in here approaches alternative project management methods in which workplace optimization is considered an end user product, like in HFE related processes contexts. Therefore, usability and participatory design is thought to be a necessary demarche to produce and user friendly work environment. A set of successful cases employing the preliminary versions of this “under construction” model, is presented through the text in order to both contextualize the methodology and validate its implementation. Final considerations ask for open participation from HFE professionals and academic community in general for ample consolidation of the model.

Marcello Silva e Santosa, Marcelo M. Soaresb

Conference Proceedings

An Expert System Approach for Ergonomic Evaluation of Advanced Manufacturing Technology

Current models to evaluate and select Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) present deficiencies since human factors and ergonomics (HFE) aspects have been neglected and obviated. Therefore models have emerged that propose the effective integration of these aspects. This chapter presents a literature review emphasizing in authors and methodologies that have addressed this topic. Also, the development of a fuzzy expert system (FES) based on Fuzzy if-then rules with a novel axiomatic design approach for ergonomic compatibility evaluation on the selection of AMT is presented. A numerical example for the selection of CNC plastic molding machines is also included. Literature review was made by using key words on scientific databases such as Science Direct and Ebscohost including papers from the last five years.As results we present a list of authors, methodologies and models that have contributed to ergonomic evaluation of AMT. A fuzzy expert system (FES) was developed and programmed in Matlab ®. It was validated using previous case studies’ results and sensibility analysis. The FES provides a practical way for single or group evaluation for ergonomic compatibility of AMT and may contribute to more complete decision making processes including HFE aspects.

Aide Maldonado-Macías, Arturo Realyvásquez Vargas

Conference Proceedings

The Knowledge Changes the Behaviour Under the Focus of Cognitive Ergonomics

The increase in the number of accidents at work and removal of the workers from their jobs , contribute to the increase in cost of production meant that entrepreneurs start thinking about managing and empowering workers so more focused on the causes involved. Due to the necessity of seeking the reduction and / or elimination of workplace accidents companies, they and safety at work. Considering the objective ergonomics modify the systems work to tailor the activity to existing features, abilities increasingly seek to train staff, identify ways to better and systematic safety management of health and limitations of people with a view to its efficient , comfortable and safe performance in it, according, entrepreneurs consider the application of ergonomics , even though still incipient mode

Silvania Rodrigues, Edgard Thomas Martins, Marcelo Márcio Soares

Conference Proceedings

Ergonomics and Cognition in Manual and Automated Flight

Advances in technology have enabled increasingly sophisticated automation to be introduced into the flight decks of modern airplanes. Generally, this automation was added to accomplish worthy objectives such as reducing flightcrew workload, adding additional capability, or increasing fuel economy. To a large extent, these objectives have been achieved. Safety also stood to benefit from the increasing amounts of highly reliable automation. Indeed, the current generation of highly automated transport category airplanes has generally demonstrated an improved safety record relative to the previous generation of airplanes. Vulnerabilities do exist, though, and further safety improvements should be made. To provide a safety target to guide the aviation industry, the Secretary of Transportation and others have expressed the view that the aviation industry should strive for the objective of none accidents. Training standards and currency in manual flying skills may well have deteriorated, but are these changes in proportion to the tasks and situations typical of modern operations, or really at the root of handling related safety concerns.

Edgard Thomas Martinsa, Isnard Thomas Martinsb, Marcelo Márcio Soaresa

Conference Proceedings

The Fault Tree in Aviation-Always Ends in Humans

Guilt! : A word which disrupts accident investigations. In the scenario of aircraft with high degree of automation control which resembles computer consoles, point to the need for further research focused on possible conflicts between the "human logic" and "logical automation" checked in control systems for aircraft. It is very important to consider that the logic of automation was also drafted by pilots, so that this assumption is difficult to validate. A pilot in command of the Airbus blurted that "modern technology was withdrawing men of cockpits. This happened with the radio-telegraph when they got the new communication systems called SSB and VHF. But from there, the pilots were more burdened with the task of transmitting operational information and logistics companies, diluting attention at critical moments of the flight, in congested terminal areas. Also happened with the navigator when new systems arise like Omega and Doppler Radar. Over a sequence of operations adjustments and manipulations more equipment were transferred to the pilots on this occasion, adding to the known and the complex and overloaded duties of these professionals. This also happened with the mechanics of flight (the third man in the cockpit), when computers arrived. Until the 70s there was a work station flight engineer.

Edgard Thomas Martins a, Isnard Thomas Martinsb, Marcelo Márcio Soaresc

Conference Proceedings

Impact of the Seat on Aircraft Passenger Comfort Experience in the Cabin Interior

The aircraft seat has been shown to impact passenger comfort experience in the cabin interior. A previous study defined passenger comfort experience in the cabin in terms of eight experiential themes. This study first investigated the possibility of differentiating passenger comfort and discomfort experience in economy class based on participants’ rating of those themes. No significant differences were found between the two concepts. Second, themes that were found to be most connected to the seat and participants’ respective concerns were highlighted. The theme ‘physical wellbeing’ was mentioned most frequently, followed by ‘peace of mind’, and ‘proxemics’. These three accounted for more than 70% of passengers’ seat experience. Among those, only the physical experience correlated with participants’ height, suggesting that to improve the passengers’ comfort experience, design efforts should go beyond the physical fit of the seat to the occupant’s body and explore passenger’s concerns for ‘peace of mind’ and ‘proxemics’.

Naseem Ahmadpour, Jean-Marc Robert, Gitte Lindgaard

Conference Proceedings

Ergonomic Evaluation of Workstation Furniture for Wheelchair Users with reference to Brazilian Standards ABNT NBR-9050 and NR-17 on Ergonomics

This paper presents a case study using ergonomics methodology to design workstations for wheelchair users in administrative offices. The case study was conducted for a large financial institution in Brazil with headquarters in São Paulo-SP. The design project seeks to meet two existing technical standards in Brazil , one of them is Brazilian standard ABNT NBR-9050: Accessibility of Buildings, Furniture, Urban Spaces and Equipment and the other is Ergonomics standard NR-17 which sets out the minimum comfort requirements for workstation furniture . The furniture in question will enable the financial institution (a Bank) to hire operators who have locomotor disabilities so that they can work in their premises at workstations that meet users’ needs and address their limitations, as well as complying with the Labor Legislation and the Accessibility Legislation (the Law on quotas), thereby demonstrating a real social contribution of Ergodesign and Ergonomics as a whole.

Carlos Maurício Duque dos Santos a, Pedro Luiz Oliveira Costa Neto a, Rosangela Ferreira Santosb

Conference Proceedings

Classification of Seating Postures

A classification of seating postures is necessary for a systemic approach in chair ergonomics. The methodology used criteria for differentiating and grouping seating variants into categories. Morphological (hip flexion, trunk inclination, lumbar lordosis, and muscular involvement), functional (the relationship with working areas), and cultural criteria (conventional and unconventional) were brought into discussion with arguments for validation. Each valid criterion describes, by its degree of expression, two categories. Cases of particular interest were found, when two or more criteria behave interdependently. The combined categories, defined by several criteria, were used to build up a classification. Discussions resumed conventions and described multi-criteria categories.

Dan - Radu Moga

Conference Proceedings

Incidence of Low Back Pain in Relation to Sedentary Workstation Design and Anthropometric Assessments

This 12-months follow-up study aimed to investigate the incidence of low back pain (LBP) and the relations of workstation dimensions and workers anthropometry to LBP among office workers. Participants were 159 office workers from Khon Kaen University of Thailand. Data were collected by use of interview structured questionnaires, baseline measurements of workstation dimensions and anthropometric parameters. The finding of 12 months LBP incidence was 83.0%. The linear regression analysis for the linearity of the relationship between workstation dimensions and anthropometric parameters of office workers identified the linearity significance between the seat height and the popliteal height as well as the workspace (workstation) width and the sitting elbow height. The correlations of specific factors with LBP were analyzed by using t-test and chi-square test. The popliteal height, the buttock-popliteal length and the elbow height of LBP cases were significant smaller than those of non cases. The body mass index (BMI), the workspace width and the difference between the seat depth and buttock-popliteal length were significantly contributed to the occurrence of LBP. The findings are very useful for the design of the sedentary workstation. The suggestion is that the seat and workstation area should be optimized to individual worker in order to prevent LBP among office workers.

Sunisa Chaiklieng ab, Pornnapa Suggaravetsiri bc, Jenny Stewart d

Conference Proceedings

Study of Body Postures Adopted in Public Spaces to Define Furniture Design Principles

In this study, Intermediate Body Positions refers to a group of spontaneous gestures assumed by people interacting with surrounding objects, which are in between biped-erect and sitting-standard. Furniture that motivates the sitting-standard posture is usually found in outdoors as the only option to rest; therefore users adopt different objects to rest their body. In this study, we observed the common postures adopted in public spaces while spontaneously using objects which were not designed to rest the body. The study conducted the evaluation of three Intermediate Body Positions and two control postures (sitting and standing) with two different finishing surfaces (rough and smooth), and the registration of the angles and forces in the points of support with a Dinagoniometer. The posture’s performance was evaluated in terms of time of permanence, energy expenditure and subjective perceived exertion measured in five male models in laboratory conditions. These results were compared with the angles and forces measured at each point of support. We have found that the interaction of the body with different types of materials and at different positions is crucial, since they specify not only the biophysical reaction of the body, but the individual perception. These results permitted to establish a number of design principles for furniture and public spaces.

Julie Waldron a, Laura E. Olaya a, Alvaro Muñoz a, Marco A. Giraldo b

Conference Proceedings

The Car Segment Reconceptualization in Portugal: New Users, New Functions

This article concerns to a current research that aims to develop and implement processes of analysis focusing on design, in particular with regard to the identification, study and the redefinition of new concepts for the automotive segmentation. The project also intends to identify the types most widely sold in Portugal from 1990 to 2013 and produce knowledge in the area of automotive design according to the characteristics and preferences of Portuguese drivers, mainly focusing on the user with the license under the age of 30. The user segmentation versus the automobile segmentation must be approached by common indicators, unlimited by technical terms non consistent with the Portuguese market, to its function and its user. Portugal offers good conditions suiting as a "living laboratory" to experience new mobility concepts. The small size of the territory is combined with the Portuguese willingness for innovation, gathering the ingredients to make of Portugal as a trial area and experimentation (Pinto, 2011). The analysis model centered on design aims to blur the technical barriers of the segmentation imposed by the several entities in the automotive sector and to produce a matrix more flexible and accessible to the user's knowledge, understanding and to its needs at the time of purchase.

Paulo Dinis, Fernando Moreira da Silva, Rita Almendra

Conference Proceedings

Cognitive Ergonomics in the Communication Design Process: Results from a Study Carried Out with a Sample of Students

The paper here presented is part of a PhD research that focused in the communication design process. The creative process and the design process even though having many simultaneously moments are very different. While the former has a shorter duration and is rather chaotic, the second is longer and tends to be more organized. To understand the design process is essential to identify the decisive factors in the two different processes, therefore we have conducted a study with a group of thirty-three students from the Faculty of Architecture from the University of Lisbon, which aimed to identify the cognitive ergonomics factors that contributed to both processes.Our qualitative analytical line was carried out through the data collected with two research methods. The first method was applied in two questionnaires, marking temporally, the beginning and end of data collection. The first questionnaire aimed to establish a starting point, gathering information about the individual design process from students, prior to the course, whereas the second questionnaire sought to understand what had changed after working with the proposed methodology. The second research method was the dairy, which for this study was in the form of a graphic dairy; a tool much used for graphic and communication designers. With this we guarantee that the method was easy to grasp by the sample, and particularly suitable for students to make their recordings. On the other hand for the research, the graphic dairy, allowed us to have access to an individual internal and continuous process, which otherwise would have been difficult to witness. This study provided us with two types of results the confirmations and recommendations, which were summarily divided in 4 areas: the methodology, the process of design, research methods and the graphic dairy as a tool.

Maria Cadarso

Conference Proceedings

Graphic Design as a User-Centered Interface

In a globalized world, deeply marked by information and communication technology it would be expected that the computer and other technological artefacts could help to shorten the human tasks. However, it seems that man inventions progress faster than humans can evolve. Like happens in other areas, graphic design can have a contribution to user everyday. The graphic designer should shape messages that belong to others to communicate them to specific audiences. Based in the literature review focused on the design of the corporate visual identity signs, were identified the main arguments of drawing which contribute to the effectiveness of visual identity communication. The Brand marks drawing get special relevance as a way of making complex information more accessible, understandable and easy to memorize. Graphic signs drawing process is discussed in view of their need to ensure the identification, differentiation and articulation between the denotative and connotative meaning, according to human perception and understanding. It analyses several ways of creating semantic emphasis to enhance the sense of the message, influencing the brand perceptions. These associations also influence the memorization, facilitate the recognition and contribute to a significant visual experience.

Daniel Raposo Martins a/b, Fernando Moreira da Silva b

Conference Proceedings

Ergonomic Recommendations for the Design of Pacifiers

Pacifiers are everyday companions for babies and toddlers. General safety requirements to reduce the risk of accidents with pacifiers are described in three European Standards (EN 1400-1/2/3 (2002)) and in the US Requirements for Pacifiers (1996). Next to these “general safety requirements” various recommendations on the use of pacifiers to reduce the risk of negative health effects have been formulated. In contrast to this, only few design recommendations for pacifiers have been published so far and most of them are focusing on or are limited to specific risks or user needs. This paper describes ergonomic design recommendations that have been derived from an analysis of the anatomical, physiological and psychological user needs. This work in the field of Ergonomics / Human Factors Engineering is based on literature search, screening of existing pacifier design solutions and interviews with parents and experts. Due to the fast development of infants and toddlers, the user needs on pacifiers are described age-dependent. The ergonomic design recommendations are written in the style of “general ergonomic requirements” focusing on the basic needs and well-being of the user and the usability of the product. These requirements should complement existing safety guidelines and use recommendations for pacifiers and aim to support the development of a new generation of pacifiers. To conclude, this paper describes some basic elements of a User Centered Design process for pacifiers for the redesign of an entire pacifier product family.

Thomas Stüdeli

Conference Proceedings

Ergonomics in Children's Furniture -Emotional Attachment

When designing a product, frequently the focus stands on function and utility issues, however searching what kind of features can promote a bigger emotional attachment to objects is an important step for a design project. With the creation of more suitable and sustainable children's furniture as an overall objective, namely a chair that can follow child's growth from 6 months up to 7 years old, we aim to produce an object for children to bond, because affection can be the most important number in this equation. This is a mix of interview-based study with quasi-experimental drawing sessions in order to illustrate children's feelings and expectations towards the Tripp Trapp® chair, which is more than 40 years in the market, designed by Peter Opsvik and produced by Stokke® - our main case study. It gives us clues to understand what the chair of their dreams would be like and what they feel sitting on an existing chair. We identified problems concerning comfort and communication with this chair, which has very large acceptance between parents worldwide but doesn't seem so appealing to children.

Cristina Salvador, José Vicente, João Paulo Martins

Conference Proceedings

Pressure Distribution on Hand's Palm as Evaluation Technique of Product Design

The design of a product can be evaluated in various ways by selecting or isolating several variables. However, for studies involving ergonomics and usability of hand tools, it is common to study physical aspects of that interaction, such as anthropometric aspects, biomechanical forces to perform a task or normal usage. This study aims to discuss the analysis instruments available, their characteristics and applicability for comparative evaluations of different designs of hand tools. With the advancement of technology, new analysis instruments also allowed the assessment of pressure distribution over the hand palm while using a hand tool. The pressure distribution is related both to the force applied by the individual, and the characteristics of the interface. Thus, even interactions with relatively low forces can substantially impair the use of a product, if that force is concentrated in a small area. The knowledge of pressure distribution on hand's palm is decisive to the hand tools design.

Danilo Corrêa Silva, Luis Carlos Paschoarelli

Conference Proceedings

Teaching HFE in Industrial/Product Design Courses in Portugal

This paper aims to present the results of a critical diagnosis about the presence of human factors and ergonomics contents into the academic curricula of industrial/product design in Portugal. This study is part of a PhD research focused on product design curricula’s adequacy to business challenges. Based on the gathering and interpretation of several Portuguese design education curricula, it turns out that the introduction of the practice of HFE is rarely linked with the design studio course, operating isolated, mostly as a theoretical course. However, the approach of human factors and ergonomics should be more practical and better linked with the design studio curricular unit. As previous conclusions of this study one can point out that there are better results in the education field when the HFE principles are earlier transmitted in the education process, which would have clear impacts on the quality and nature of the proposed design solutions, adding value to the final product. This way, students could be more prepared to respond with more social sustainable projects, increasing the chances of being more prepared and adjusted to the market and its demands.

Ana Cristina Dias, Rita Almendra, Fernando Moreira da Silva

Conference Proceedings