Have you ever gotten into a car and the seat was too far up
to the dashboard? Or the car was too short for you to get into easily? Isn’t it
uncomfortable? I know when I have experienced these things with a small car, I hate
it because I have to strain my body to fit into a small space. Every single
person has a different body type whether they have short legs, a large torso,
or small arms. Our body measurements are known as anthropometrics. In short,
anthropometrics is the measurements of our bodies and how those measurements are
used to determine how we move in a space and what we are able to do in a space.
Many people use anthropometrics especially designers. Designers have to use a
mass average of our body measurements to create spaces that are comfortable for
all shapes and sizes.
Photo drawn by me
As a senior in high school, I had an internship with the
local hospital. Some days I would be working with the elderly or I would go to
the nursing home for the elderly across the street if they needed help. During this
internship, I was able to experience and see how the designer had to make changes
to the space specifically for the end user (which would be the elderly). One of
the jobs I had to do often was walk with the elderly. We would spend several
minutes walking up and down the hallways for them to keep moving and exercise
their muscles from laying or sitting often. As we walked down the hallways, I
noticed that the hallways were made larger than most hallways. This is because
the elderly needs a little more room to move around especially with wheelchairs
and walkers.
Sometimes we have control over certain things when it comes
to anthropometrics, such as adjustable chairs or adjustable desks. Having
adjustable furniture allows anyone to be able to change the height to their
comfort level. Although, most everything is not made adjustable. Such as, bathtubs
and showers they are created by the standard height and width of a person based
off the anthropometric data. For instance, if you are over 5’9” then you will
not be able to fully lay down in a bathtub. This is where the designer comes
in, as a designer we base everything off human dimensions therefore designers
need to keep in mind the end user and their comfort levels.
Photo taken by me
I never would've thought about my bath tub when it comes to anthropometrics. I can't fit into my tub in my apartment at all. Having adjustable furniture would make all the difference in spaces that are meant to be used by multiple people of different sizes.
ReplyDeleteAll of your examples were such a unique approach to anthropometrics! I never would have though of any of them as a way to describe how anthropometrics are used on a daily basis, great post!
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