Anthropometrics: Important Aspects of Users’ Bodies - Foundations for Designing User-Centered Systems - page 54

Chapter 3
Anthropometrics: Important Aspects
of Users' Bodies
Abstract This chapter addresses factors that arise from basic characteristics of the
human body. While bodies vary in their size, shape, capabilities, and limitations,
there are some common factors that are shared and some general guidance that
we can apply to design better interfaces and systems. This is a broad topic: the
influence of bodies on usability applies to all systems, and is illustrated with
examples from desktop, laptop, mobile, and handheld systems. After briefly pro-
viding an overview of the issues involved, this chapter covers the importance of
the physical setup for computers. We also introduce and discuss the importance of
touch and tactile feedback, better known as haptic perception. Haptic perception
has become increasingly important with the widespread uptake of touch screen
devices and gaming interfaces. We illustrate the importance of haptic perception
by considering how people interact with a wide range of devices and systems. The
chapter concludes with some implications of the need to consider anthropometric
factors when designing interactive systems.
3.1 Introduction
People have bodies. Human bodies have certain characteristics and capabilities:
they take up space and are designed to move in certain ways. This means that the
extent of our reach when static and our range of motion are limited. Human bodies
are designed for certain kinds of movement—we crawl, walk, run, and reach for
things. Thanks to a complex sensorimotor system, we can perceive and manipulate
objects, and to issue and sense tactile feedback. Human bodies also need certain
forms of nourishment and can become fatigued. Understanding the characteristics
and capabilities of the human body can both inspire and constrain design options.
Obviously, users need their bodies to interact with interfaces. In some cases the
path from the user's intention to the desired action appears effortless and error free.
These situations encourage us to forget the situations where the user is tired, the
timing of the task is demanding, or the user has difficulty performing the required