Integrating ergonomics into product design through the UCD approach

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to propose a systematic for the integration of ergonomics/human factors (HFE) into product design, based on the user-centered design approach. Thus, an overview of the systematic is presented, as well as the suggestion of methods and support tools for each phase of the design process. In order to verify the applicability of the systematic in the engineering education, an experiment was carried out in two classes of the product design course in a Brazilian University. One class was chosen as a study group and used the systematic proposal during the course, and the other class was chosen as a control group and used the standard methodology as was already done in the course. At the end of the course, a questionnaire was applied with the students of both classes, on the understanding and use of HFE in the product design, showing that presenting this content of ergonomics in an appropriate way and together with the design process allows students to be more likely to use it, to understand it better and know how to use it.