Anthropometry refers to the measurement of the human body. It plays an important role in design by providing statistical data on human body dimensions to create safe, comfortable products. Designers should not just design for average sizes, as the average is not always the most common. When designing a reading nook for students, measurements of posture are important. When designing a hand grip exercise product for the elderly, grip strength data is relevant.

1. ANTHROPOMETRY

2.  Students are able to understand what anthropometry is and how it is applied in
the development stage of the design process
 Students are able to read anthropometric data and apply it in the development
stage of the design process

3.  It refers to the measurement of the human individual. (DT guide book, Wikipedia)
 It is concerned with the size and proportions of the human body (DT text book)

4.  It plays an important role in many forms of design where statistical data about
the distribution of body dimensions in the population are used to create products
that are safe and comfortable to use. (DT guide book)
 Designers sometimes make the mistake of designing things for a person of
‘average’ size. The ‘average’ size in a population is not necessarily the most
common size. (DT text book)

5.  Example 1: A product designer intends to design and make a cosy corner for
reading for primary school students to be placed in the library reading area. By
referring to the anthropometric postures below, which measurements are
important to derive the dimensions of the cosy corner?

7.  Example 2: A product designer
wants to design and make a
product that allows the elderly
to exercise their hand grip so
as to keep their arms strong.
Using the anthropometric data
shown, which data is relevant
to the designer?