Integrating Human Factors into Modern Design Practices
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24113/hygcbn80Keywords:
Human Factors, Ergonomics, Modern Design, User-Centric Design, Cognitive Load, Prototyping, Anthropometry, Digital Human Modeling.Abstract
Modern design practices have rapidly shifted toward high-tech, digital-first workflows, often prioritizing raw technological capabilities over user-centric ergonomics. This paper explores the critical intersection of Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) with modern design methodologies across industrial, digital, and fashion design sectors. It examines how physical anthropometry, cognitive ergonomics, user interface (UI) constraints, and socio-cultural factors influence overall design success. Through a multi-disciplinary critical analysis, this paper argues that integrating human factors early in the generative and digital design phases radically reduces cognitive load, minimizes physical fatigue, and enhances end-user adoption rates. Finally, a practical, strategic framework is proposed to seamlessly embed quantitative and qualitative HFE parameters into modern CAD/CAM software, virtual prototyping environments, and agile digital design pipelines.
References
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[2] Chaffin, D. B., Andersson, G. B., & Martin, B. J. (2006). Occupational Biomechanics (4th ed.). John Wiley & Sons. (Crucial for the discussion on physical anthropometry and digital human modeling in CAD).
[3] Dreyfuss, H. (2002). The Measure of Man and Woman: Human Factors in Design. John Wiley & Sons. (The foundational historical text referenced in Section 2).
[4] Duffy, V. G. (Ed.). (2020). Handbook of Digital Human Modeling: Research for Applied Ergonomics and Human Factors Engineering. CRC Press. (Supports the framework on using in-software digital avatars and mannequins).
[5] Garoppo, G., Gaggero, S., & Mancini, M. (2023). Integrating ergonomic simulation in the early stages of industrial product design: A review of digital human modeling tools. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 94, 103412. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2023.103412
[6] International Organization for Standardization. (2019). Ergonomics of human-system interaction — Part 210: Human-centred design for interactive systems (ISO Standard No. 9241-210:2019). https://www.iso.org/standard/77520.html
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[9] Norman, D. (2013). The Design of Everyday Things: Revised and Expanded Edition. Basic Books. (The definitive text supporting the cognitive ergonomics, mapping, and feature creep discussion in Section 3B).
[10] Salvendy, G. (Ed.). (2021). Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics (5th ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
[11] Stanton, N. A., Salmon, P. M., & Walker, G. H. (2017). Systems Thinking in Ergonomics and Human Factors: A Practical Guide. CRC Press. (Supports the holistic, socio-cultural, and environmental system dynamics discussed in Section 3C).
[12] Wickens, C. D., Helton, W. S., Hollands, J. G., & Banbury, S. (2021). Engineering Psychology and Human Performance (5th ed.). Routledge. (Provides empirical data linking interface clutter to increased cognitive mental workload).
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Copyright (c) 2026 Dr Sandeep Sachan
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
