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Lesson 2 of 8
  • Year 8

Anthropometrics

I can define anthropometrics and use its data to inform design.

Lesson 2 of 8
New
New
  • Year 8

Anthropometrics

I can define anthropometrics and use its data to inform design.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Anthropometrics are the measurements of people. It helps designers create products that fit people properly.
  2. Anthropometrics are important to ensure that products are comfortable and easy to use.
  3. There are three percentiles to consider when interpreting anthropometric data: the 5th, 50th and 95th percentiles.
  4. Inclusive and adjustable designs make sure that as many users as possible can use a product.

Keywords

  • Anthropometrics - the measurements of people

  • Percentile - one part of a data set after splitting the data set into 100 equal parts

  • Inclusive design - making products that as many people as possible can use

Common misconception

Inclusive design only benefits users with a disability.

Inclusive design benefits all users, not just those with disabilities. It aims to create products that as many users as possible can use.


To help you plan your year 8 design and technology lesson on: Anthropometrics, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Teachers can use alternative products to the ones displayed in the slide deck. Having products in front of students to use when considering anthropometrics and ergonmics can support learning.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Product examples, rulers, pen, pencil.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What name is given to the factors that consider how people will use a product?

manmade
Correct answer: human
natural
material

Q2.
What is the term given to the interaction between people and the products they use?

economics
egonomics
Correct answer: ergonomics
epigenomics

Q3.
What is ergonomics focused upon within a design context?

aesethetics
Correct answer: comfort
materials
Correct answer: ease of use

Q4.
Complete the sentence: Products that have already been created, sold, and used by people are called products.

Correct Answer: existing

Q5.
How can a designer learn from existing products?

by copying the design exactly without making any changes
Correct answer: by using feedback to fix problems and add new features
by ignoring feedback and creating something completely different

Q6.
A designer is tasked with improving a popular game controller based on user feedback. Which of the following actions best demonstrates a thoughtful application of ergonomics?

replacing the buttons with metal ones to make the controller more durable
adding more visual elements to make the controller aesthetically appealing
Correct answer: rearranging the button layout so users can reach all controls more easily
using brighter colours to increase the controller’s visibility in low light

Assessment exit quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
What is the term given to the measurements of people?

ergonomics
Correct answer: anthropometrics
biometrics
anthropostatistics

Q2.
Complete the sentence: Anthropometric refers to the collection of information related to human body measurements.

statistics
information
Correct answer: data
records

Q3.
When anthropometric data has been collected what are the sorted results plotted on?

Correct Answer: graph, a graph, graphs

Q4.
What is it called when data is split into 100 equal parts?

quartile
tertile
Correct answer: percentile
decile

Q5.
What type of design benefits all users?

Correct Answer: inclusive, Inclusive