What is the difference between ergonomics and human factors?

The terms are largely synonymous. 'Ergonomics' is more often associated with physical fit and the European tradition, while 'human factors' is the North American term and is frequently used for cognitive and systems aspects; both concern fitting design to human capabilities.

Why is designing for the 'average' user problematic?

Few people are average across all dimensions, so a product sized for the average can fit almost no one well. Ergonomic design therefore uses percentile ranges and adjustability to accommodate the variation in the intended user population.

Ergonomics and Human Factors in Design

Ergonomics and human factors fit products, environments, and systems to the physical and cognitive capabilities of the people who use them.

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Definition

Ergonomics and human factors in design is the application of knowledge about human physical and cognitive characteristics to the design of objects, environments, and systems so they fit their users.

Scope

This topic covers anthropometry and physical ergonomics (body dimensions, posture, force, reach, and comfort), cognitive ergonomics (perception, attention, memory, and mental workload), and the application of these to the design of products, workspaces, controls, displays, and interfaces. It treats human factors as an evidence-based input to design that improves usability, comfort, performance, and safety.

Core questions

How does anthropometric variation constrain the dimensions and adjustability of products?
How do perception, attention, and workload shape the design of displays and controls?
How can design reduce error, discomfort, and injury?
How is human factors evidence gathered and applied within the design process?

Key theories

Anthropometric design and fit: Pheasant and Haslegrave set out how human body-dimension data and percentile reasoning are used to design products and workplaces that accommodate the intended range of users while minimising strain and exclusion.
Human information processing: Wickens and colleagues model the human as an information processor with limited attention and memory, deriving design principles for displays, controls, and workload that reduce error and improve performance.

History

Human factors emerged from wartime studies of human-machine performance in the mid-twentieth century and was popularised in design by Henry Dreyfuss, whose anthropometric reference figures Joe and Josephine became standard tools. The field broadened from physical fit to cognitive ergonomics and usability as products and interfaces became more complex and information-intensive.

Debates

Average user versus inclusive range: Whether design should target a notional average user or accommodate the full range of human variation through adjustability and inclusive design, given that designing for the average can exclude many real users.

Key figures

Stephen Pheasant
Christopher Wickens
Donald Norman
Henry Dreyfuss

Seminal works

pheasant2006
wickens2004
norman2013

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between ergonomics and human factors?: The terms are largely synonymous. 'Ergonomics' is more often associated with physical fit and the European tradition, while 'human factors' is the North American term and is frequently used for cognitive and systems aspects; both concern fitting design to human capabilities.
Why is designing for the 'average' user problematic?: Few people are average across all dimensions, so a product sized for the average can fit almost no one well. Ergonomic design therefore uses percentile ranges and adjustability to accommodate the variation in the intended user population.