Ergonomics Data for Design

Using ergonomics data in the design process is one of the ways products can be designed to meet their target users.  Information on peoples' characteristics and abilities (such as body sizes, strength, motor skills and so on) can help make sure products 'fit' as many potential users as possible, and the benefits of using these data in the early stages of the design process are widely recognised.

Traditionally, however, these data have been difficult for designers to get hold of, and it was in response to this that the Consumer Affairs Directorate of the UK Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) produced a series of publications which bring together all available design-related data into a compendium of easy-to-use design resources.

The first in the series, published in 1985, is 'Childata: The Handbook of Child Measurements and Capabilities - Data for Design Safety' and this was followed in 1998 by 'Adultdata', a sibling publication on adults. The third in the series on the older adult ('Older Adultdata') was published in 2000. The three publications contain data for around 200 anthropometric measurements for a range of countries around the world (including UK, USA, Germany, France, Italy, The Netherlands and Japan).

The DTI is no longer distributing the Adultdata, Childata and Older Adultdata books, however, copies of the publications may be accessed through one of the British Library's on-line ordering services, via the following web-link: http://www.bl.uk/services/document/orddocs.html.

First published: March 2001

Last reviewed: December 2007