Ergonomics for Interaction Designers

The convergence of digital user interfaces with physical products (e.g., touch screens, gestural interfaces) puts interaction designers in a position where knowledge of ergonomics is valuable, if not essential, for creating effective solutions. This lecture is an introduction to anthropometric design and research methods, including: explanations of fundamental ergonomic design principles and myths, case studies at the intersection of product and user interface design, and actionable takeaways to apply immediately. The content is geared specifically to interaction designers, relating understood digital design principles and terminology to parallels in physical design.

About the Speaker

Rob Tannen is a usability designer‐researcher with expertise in both products and user interfaces. He is Director of Research at Bresslergroup, an award‐winning product design firm, where he consults on a range of consumer, medical and commercial projects. He has over 15 years experience working with organizations including Comcast, Microsoft, the New York Stock Exchange, Siemens, and the United States Air Force. He is a professional writer and speaker on topics ranging from simplicity in design to effective research methods. He is creator/editor of DESIGNING for humans, a reference site for user researchers. Rob earned a doctorate in human factors psychology from the University of Cincinnati.