Design in Context: Sustainability, Ergonomics and Society
Sustainability
Understand the six Rs - rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, recycle - and apply life-cycle thinking from raw material extraction through manufacture, use and disposal. Know concepts such as carbon footprint, embodied energy, planned obsolescence, design for disassembly, and renewable versus finite resources. Be ready to compare materials on recyclability and energy use, not just cost.
Ergonomics and anthropometrics
Know the difference: anthropometrics supplies body measurements (percentiles, reach, stature), while ergonomics applies them to make products comfortable, safe and efficient. Understand percentile use - 5th percentile for reach, 50th for general fit, 95th for clearance - and how poor ergonomics causes strain and error.
Society, culture and ethics
Consider how products affect users and society: accessibility and inclusive design, cultural context, safety legislation, fair trade and labour, and the social impact of new technology. Understand that designers balance competing needs of user, manufacturer, environment and society.
Common traps
Questions often confuse ergonomics with anthropometrics, or assume recycling is automatically sustainable (ignoring energy and transport). Another trap is forgetting that designing for the 50th percentile fits almost no one perfectly.
Worked rule of thumb
Use the percentile rule: design the range, not the average. For a door handle, set the height using 5th-percentile reach so shorter users can operate it; use 95th percentile for clearance dimensions.