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Ravindra Goonetilleke
Ergonomics is the application of scientific information about people in order to design products and systems so that they are safe, productive, comfortable and healthy for people to use.
People are of different shapes, sizes, strength, speed, judgment, skills, and capabilities. Hence when designing products the necessary aspects for task performance have to be considered. What is important is to fit the task to the person rather than fitting a person to a task so that a majority of the people are able to and like to do what needs to be done.
Read more
Ergonomics is the application of scientific information about people in order to design products and systems so that they are safe, productive, comfortable and healthy for people to use.
People are of different shapes, sizes, strength, speed, judgment, skills, and capabilities. Hence when designing products the necessary aspects for task performance have to be considered. What is important is to fit the task to the person rather than fitting a person to a task so that a majority of the people are able to and like to do what needs to be done.
Read more
Ergonomics is the application of scientific information about people in order to design products and systems so that they are safe, productive, comfortable and healthy for people to use.
People are of different shapes, sizes, strength, speed, judgment, skills, and capabilities. Hence when designing products the necessary aspects for task performance have to be considered. What is important is to fit the task to the person rather than fitting a person to a task so that a majority of the people are able to and like to do what needs to be done.
In this course, regardless of your background, you will learn the core concepts of ergonomics so that you can evaluate and redesign products to fit people. The course will focus on recognizing the workings of the human body so that products and systems are compatible with the structure of people and will allow you to be creative and to identify engineering solutions thereby improving human performance, reducing the risk of discomfort and injury when interacting with products
This course will allow you to get hands-on experience through a wide variety of demonstrations and case studies for you to grasp the concepts easily. With the knowledge gained, you can experience the excitement of creating your own products that will wow users whether it be for continuing education or just for knowledge.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/ie0yb7/ergonomics
What's inside
Learning objectives
- Apply ergonomic principles for the creation of safer, healthier and more efficient and effective products and activities
- Recognize the workings of the human body and their implications on products
- Identify engineering solutions to improve human performance and reduce the risk of discomfort and injury when interacting with products
- At the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Apply ergonomic principles for the creation of safer, healthier and more efficient and effective products and activities
- Recognize the workings of the human body and their implications on products
- Identify engineering solutions to improve human performance and reduce the risk of discomfort and injury when interacting with products
- At the end of the course, you will be able to:
Syllabus
Week 1: Overview and IntroductionDefinition, history and applications of Ergonomics with real life examples
Week 2: Human-centered DesignIntroduction to Design Thinking and design objectives
Read more
Syllabus
Week 1: Overview and IntroductionDefinition, history and applications of Ergonomics with real life examples
Week 2: Human-centered DesignIntroduction to Design Thinking and design objectives
Read more
Week 3: Musculoskeletal systemHuman body structure basics of muscles, bones and joints, and their working principles
Week 4: Human MovementSpine and motion, vision and line of sight
Week 5: Posture-Strength relationshipsBlix curve, Hand tool design basics considering ergonomics principles
Week 6: Equipment DesignSports equipment design and Consequences of poor design
Good to know
Good to know
Know what's good ,
what to watch for , and
possible dealbreakers
This course provides the fundamentals of ergonomics, making it suitable for individuals without prior background in the field
Incorporates practical demonstrations and case studies to enhance understanding of concepts
Empowers learners to create their own ergonomic products based on human factors principles
Covers essential aspects of human-centered design to promote user-friendly product development
Suitable for individuals seeking to improve human performance and reduce discomfort in product interactions
Provides a comprehensive understanding of musculoskeletal systems and their implications on product design
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Save Ergonomics in Design to your list so you can find it easily later:
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Reviews summary
Highly rated intro to ergonomics
Learners say this course is an excellent, highly recommended introduction to ergonomics, especially for those with no background in the subject. The course provides a comprehensive overview of the basics, giving learners a good foundation in the field. The course features real-life examples and clear explanations, but some learners found the technical content and videos to be dry.
Clear explanations and real-life examples.
"Very good course, good matirial to study, but few detailes of many tools one work with in different kind og jobs."
"The class is good but you have to wait a lot of time to get review your workshops, the professor is very clear and use a lot of real life examples"
"The instructor was very top-notch and the content was great."
Excellent introduction to ergonomics.
"Really the course was very explanatory and managed to solve my doubts and will certainly be of great support"
"The basic layout of the subject matter was well explained with necessary videos and practicals."
"This online course about ergonomics in Design was very helpfull for me"
Peer assessment can be a challenge if not enough people are taking the course.
"Overall, nice as an introductory course, but I wish more detail was provided that related to products."
"This course is graded through peer assessment, I have completed all the assignments but because there are no people taking the course, I simply cannot get my certificate"
Some technical content and videos can be dry.
"I found myself very interested in the real-life examples of what these principles were but there were also a lot of parts that were too technical to be able to be understood"
"there was a part with 27 videos that were all warm-up exercises which I really did not understand nor did I learn a lot from"
Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in Ergonomics in Design with these
activities:
CAD Software Refresher
Show steps
Ensure proficiency in CAD software for developing ergonomic designs.
Show steps
-
Review online tutorials or documentation
-
Complete practice exercises or projects
Connect with Ergonomics Experts
Show steps
Seek guidance and insights from professionals in the field.
Browse courses on
Ergonomics
Show steps
-
Attend industry events or conferences
-
Reach out to professionals via LinkedIn or email
Review Musculoskeletal System
Show steps
Review fundamentals of the Musculoskeletal System and how it directly pertains to Ergonomic Design.
Browse courses on
Musculoskeletal System
Show steps
-
Read textbook chapters on Musculoskeletal System
-
Examine visual diagrams of Bones and Joints
-
Complete interactive quiz on Musculoskeletal Anatomy
Seven other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all ten activities
Create a physical or digital folder of resources
Show steps
Easily store and access relevant materials during and after the course.
Show steps
-
Decide whether the compilation will be physical or digital
-
Decide on a system for organization
-
Gather and add relevant materials
Ergonomic Resources Collection
Show steps
Gather and organize relevant resources to serve as a comprehensive reference guide for ergonomic design.
Browse courses on
References
Show steps
-
Search for ergonomic articles, books, and websites
-
Annotate and summarize key findings
-
Organize resources into a structured and accessible format
Ergonomic Design Analysis
Show steps
Enhance ability to apply ergonomic principles using real-world examples.
Browse courses on
Product Development
Show steps
-
Gather various products or objects
-
Analyze each product's ergonomic features and potential improvements
-
Create a report outlining your findings and recommendations
Practice evaluating products for their compatibility with human aspects
Show steps
Develop proficiency in applying ergonomic principles to scenario-based situations.
Show steps
-
Study the core concepts of ergonomics
-
Analyze a product and identify its ergonomic features
-
Evaluate the compatibility of the product with human aspects
-
Suggest improvements to enhance the product's ergonomics
Peer Review and Feedback
Show steps
Gain valuable insights and improve design proposals through peer feedback.
Browse courses on
Human-Centered Design
Show steps
-
Share work-in-progress with peers
-
Provide constructive feedback on others' designs
-
Incorporate feedback into design iterations
Ergonomic Design Proposal
Show steps
Showcase understanding of ergonomic principles by designing a product or system.
Browse courses on
Product Design
Show steps
-
Identify an area or task where ergonomic improvements can be made
-
Research and analyze relevant ergonomic principles
-
Develop a concept for an ergonomic solution
-
Create a prototype or mock-up of your design
-
Present your proposal to peers or industry experts for feedback
Advanced Ergonomic Design Techniques
Show steps
Enhance knowledge of specialized ergonomic design techniques and methodologies.
Browse courses on
Advanced Techniques
Show steps
-
Identify and research advanced ergonomic design techniques
-
Follow online tutorials or workshops led by experts
-
Apply these techniques in practical design projects
CAD Software Refresher
Show steps
Ensure proficiency in CAD software for developing ergonomic designs.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review online tutorials or documentation
- Complete practice exercises or projects
Connect with Ergonomics Experts
Show steps
Seek guidance and insights from professionals in the field.
Browse courses on
Ergonomics
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Attend industry events or conferences
- Reach out to professionals via LinkedIn or email
Review Musculoskeletal System
Show steps
Review fundamentals of the Musculoskeletal System and how it directly pertains to Ergonomic Design.
Browse courses on
Musculoskeletal System
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read textbook chapters on Musculoskeletal System
- Examine visual diagrams of Bones and Joints
- Complete interactive quiz on Musculoskeletal Anatomy
Seven other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all ten activities
Create a physical or digital folder of resources
Show steps
Easily store and access relevant materials during and after the course.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Decide whether the compilation will be physical or digital
- Decide on a system for organization
- Gather and add relevant materials
Ergonomic Resources Collection
Show steps
Gather and organize relevant resources to serve as a comprehensive reference guide for ergonomic design.
Browse courses on
References
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Search for ergonomic articles, books, and websites
- Annotate and summarize key findings
- Organize resources into a structured and accessible format
Ergonomic Design Analysis
Show steps
Enhance ability to apply ergonomic principles using real-world examples.
Browse courses on
Product Development
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Gather various products or objects
- Analyze each product's ergonomic features and potential improvements
- Create a report outlining your findings and recommendations
Practice evaluating products for their compatibility with human aspects
Show steps
Develop proficiency in applying ergonomic principles to scenario-based situations.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Study the core concepts of ergonomics
- Analyze a product and identify its ergonomic features
- Evaluate the compatibility of the product with human aspects
- Suggest improvements to enhance the product's ergonomics
Peer Review and Feedback
Show steps
Gain valuable insights and improve design proposals through peer feedback.
Browse courses on
Human-Centered Design
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Share work-in-progress with peers
- Provide constructive feedback on others' designs
- Incorporate feedback into design iterations
Ergonomic Design Proposal
Show steps
Showcase understanding of ergonomic principles by designing a product or system.
Browse courses on
Product Design
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify an area or task where ergonomic improvements can be made
- Research and analyze relevant ergonomic principles
- Develop a concept for an ergonomic solution
- Create a prototype or mock-up of your design
- Present your proposal to peers or industry experts for feedback
Advanced Ergonomic Design Techniques
Show steps
Enhance knowledge of specialized ergonomic design techniques and methodologies.
Browse courses on
Advanced Techniques
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify and research advanced ergonomic design techniques
- Follow online tutorials or workshops led by experts
- Apply these techniques in practical design projects
Career center
Learners who complete Ergonomics in Design will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Ergonomist
Ergonomist
Ergonomists apply the principles of ergonomics to design and evaluate products, systems, and workplaces. This course, Ergonomics in Design, provides a strong foundation in the principles and practices of ergonomics, making it an excellent choice for aspiring Ergonomists. The course covers topics such as human-centered design, musculoskeletal system, human movement, and posture-strength relationships, which are essential for understanding how people interact with products and how to design products that are optimized for human performance.
Human Factors Engineer
Human Factors Engineer
Human Factors Engineers design and evaluate products, systems, and environments to ensure that they are safe, efficient, and comfortable for human use. This course, Ergonomics in Design, provides a strong foundation in the principles and practices of ergonomics, making it an excellent choice for aspiring Human Factors Engineers. The course covers topics such as human-centered design, musculoskeletal system, human movement, and posture-strength relationships, which are essential for understanding how people interact with products and how to design products that are optimized for human performance.
Prosthetist
Prosthetist
Prosthetists design and fit artificial limbs and other devices for people who have lost limbs or have limb impairments. This course, Ergonomics in Design, may be useful as it provides a foundation in the principles of ergonomics and how they can be applied to the design of prosthetic devices. With this understanding, Prosthetists can help to create prosthetic devices that are comfortable, functional, and tailored to the individual needs of each patient.
Product Designer
Product Designer
Product Designers develop products that are user-friendly, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. This course, Ergonomics in Design, may be useful as it provides a foundation in the principles of ergonomics and human-centered design. With this understanding, Product Designers can create products that are not only visually appealing but also comfortable and efficient to use. Course topics such as musculoskeletal system, human movement, and posture-strength relationships can help Product Designers better understand how people interact with products and how to design products that are optimized for human performance.
Industrial Designer
Industrial Designer
Industrial Designers combine art and engineering to create products that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. This course, Ergonomics in Design, may be useful as it provides a foundation in the principles of ergonomics and how they can be applied to product design. With this understanding, Industrial Designers can create products that are not only visually appealing but also comfortable and efficient to use.
Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapists help people with disabilities or injuries to improve their physical, cognitive, and emotional function. This course, Ergonomics in Design, may be useful as it provides a foundation in the principles of ergonomics and how they can be applied to the design of medical equipment and devices. With this understanding, Occupational Therapists can help to create products that are safe, comfortable, and effective for people with disabilities or injuries.
Rehabilitation Engineer
Rehabilitation Engineer
Rehabilitation Engineers design and develop assistive technologies and devices to help people with disabilities live more independently. This course, Ergonomics in Design, may be useful as it provides a foundation in the principles of ergonomics and how they can be applied to the design of rehabilitation devices. With this understanding, Rehabilitation Engineers can help to create devices that are safe, comfortable, and effective for people with disabilities.
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Engineers design and build machines, engines, and other mechanical devices. This course, Ergonomics in Design, may be useful for Mechanical Engineers who wish to specialize in the design of products and systems that are safe, comfortable, and efficient for human use. The course covers topics such as human-centered design, musculoskeletal system, human movement, and posture-strength relationships, which are essential for understanding how people interact with products and how to design products that are optimized for human performance.
Physical Therapist
Physical Therapist
Physical Therapists help people with disabilities or injuries to improve their physical function and mobility. This course, Ergonomics in Design, may be useful as it provides a foundation in the principles of ergonomics and how they can be applied to the design of rehabilitation equipment and devices. With this understanding, Physical Therapists can help to create products that are safe, comfortable, and effective for people with disabilities or injuries.
Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical Engineers apply engineering principles to the design and development of medical devices and technologies. This course, Ergonomics in Design, may be useful as it provides a foundation in the principles of ergonomics and how they can be applied to the design of medical devices. With this understanding, Biomedical Engineers can help to create medical devices that are safe, comfortable, and effective for patients.
Safety Engineer
Safety Engineer
Safety Engineers identify and assess hazards and develop and implement safety procedures to protect people from accidents and injuries. This course, Ergonomics in Design, may be useful as it provides a foundation in the principles of ergonomics and how they can be applied to workplace design. With this understanding, Safety Engineers can help to create workplaces that are safe and comfortable for workers.
Manufacturing Engineer
Manufacturing Engineer
Manufacturing Engineers design and improve production processes and systems. This course, Ergonomics in Design, may be useful for Manufacturing Engineers who wish to specialize in the design of workplaces that are safe, comfortable, and efficient for workers. The course covers topics such as human-centered design, musculoskeletal system, human movement, and posture-strength relationships, which are essential for understanding how people interact with their work environment and how to design workplaces that are optimized for human performance.
Industrial Engineer
Industrial Engineer
Industrial Engineers design and improve industrial processes and systems. This course, Ergonomics in Design, may be useful for Industrial Engineers who wish to specialize in the design of workplaces that are safe, comfortable, and efficient for workers. The course covers topics such as human-centered design, musculoskeletal system, human movement, and posture-strength relationships, which are essential for understanding how people interact with their work environment and how to design workplaces that are optimized for human performance.
Interior designer
Interior designer
Interior Designers plan and design the interior spaces of buildings, including furniture, lighting, and other elements. This course, Ergonomics in Design, may be useful for Interior Designers who wish to specialize in the design of spaces that are safe, comfortable, and efficient for people to use. The course covers topics such as human-centered design, musculoskeletal system, human movement, and posture-strength relationships, which are essential for understanding how people interact with their environment and how to design spaces that are optimized for human performance.
Architect
Architect
Architects design and build buildings and other structures. This course, Ergonomics in Design, may be useful for Architects who wish to specialize in the design of buildings and structures that are safe, comfortable, and efficient for people to use. The course covers topics such as human-centered design, musculoskeletal system, human movement, and posture-strength relationships, which are essential for understanding how people interact with their environment and how to design buildings and structures that are optimized for human performance.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/ie0yb7/ergonomics
Reading list
We've selected nine books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Ergonomics in Design.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of ergonomics, with a focus on the application of human factors to the design of products and systems. It includes chapters on topics such as anthropometry, biomechanics, cognitive ergonomics, and work design.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of safety and health for engineers, with a focus on the application of ergonomics to the design of safe and healthy work environments. It includes chapters on topics such as risk assessment, hazard control, and safety management.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of human factors and ergonomics for engineers, with a focus on the application of ergonomics to the design of products and systems. It includes chapters on topics such as anthropometry, biomechanics, and cognitive ergonomics.
Save
Provides a philosophical overview of the field of human-computer interaction, with a focus on the importance of designing computer systems that are humane and easy to use. It includes chapters on topics such as the history of user interfaces, the psychology of human-computer interaction, and the future of human-computer interaction.
Provides a practical guide to designing everyday objects, with a focus on the importance of user-centered design. It includes chapters on topics such as affordances, signifiers, and feedback.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of user experience, with a focus on the importance of user-centered design. It includes chapters on topics such as user research, prototyping, and user testing.
Provides a practical guide to web usability, with a focus on the importance of user-centered design. It includes chapters on topics such as planning a website, designing a website, and testing a website.
Save
Provides a comprehensive guide to web accessibility, with a focus on the importance of designing websites that are accessible to people with disabilities. It includes chapters on topics such as web standards, assistive technology, and accessibility testing.
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of interaction design, with a focus on the importance of user-centered design. It includes chapters on topics such as user research, prototyping, and user testing.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/ie0yb7/ergonomics
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Effort
5 to 6 hours per week for 6 weeks
Level
Introductory
Via
edX
Institution
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Instructor
Ravindra Goonetilleke
Language
English
Transcript
English
Good to know
This course provides the fundamentals of ergonomics, making it suitable for individuals without prior background in the field
Incorporates practical demonstrations and case studies to enhance understanding of concepts
Empowers learners to create their own ergonomic products based on human factors principles
Covers essential aspects of human-centered design to promote user-friendly product development
Suitable for individuals seeking to improve human performance and reduce discomfort in product interactions
Provides a comprehensive understanding of musculoskeletal systems and their implications on product design
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