How do the way a product looks and the way it fits the user shape its design?
The design factors of aesthetics and ergonomics: the influences on the aesthetics of products, and ergonomics through anthropometrics, psychology and physiology, inclusive design and the use of ergonomic data.
An SQA Advanced Higher Design and Manufacture answer on the design factors of aesthetics and ergonomics, covering the influences on a product's aesthetics and ergonomics through anthropometrics, psychology and physiology, inclusive design and the use of ergonomic data such as percentiles.
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What this key area is asking
The SQA wants you to explain how aesthetics (how a product looks and feels) and ergonomics (how well it fits the user) shape the design of commercial products. For ergonomics you must cover its three strands, anthropometrics, psychology and physiology, plus inclusive design and the use of ergonomic data. These are among the most frequently examined "explain how factor X influences product Y" topics in Section 2.
Aesthetics and what influences it
The influences on a product's aesthetics include:
- the target market and its tastes, which set the visual language;
- fashion and style, which date a product and drive redesign;
- the brand identity, so the product is recognisable and consistent;
- the materials and finishes available, which set what colours, textures and forms are possible;
- the function, since form often follows the job the product does.
Strong aesthetics help a product stand out from competitors and signal its quality and market position, which is why aesthetics is a commercial factor, not just a matter of taste.
Ergonomics: the three strands
- Anthropometrics supplies the measurements (heights, reaches, grip sizes, finger spans). Designers work to percentiles, commonly designing for the 5th to 95th percentile, so a handle, seat or control suits the great majority of users rather than one average person.
- Physiology is about how the body works and tires. The designer shapes grips to spread pressure and damp vibration, sets forces low enough to operate comfortably, and positions controls so the user is not strained over long use.
- Psychology is about perception and understanding. Clear, intuitive controls, sensible layout, and feedback (a click, a light, a colour) mean the user understands the product quickly and uses it correctly, reducing error and frustration.
Inclusive design and the use of ergonomic data
Inclusive design uses a wider range of anthropometric and ability data, larger and clearer controls, low-force operation, and good contrast and labelling. It improves usability for everyone, not only those with specific needs (large, clear buttons help all users in a hurry).
The use of ergonomic data is what makes ergonomics objective: instead of guessing a size, the designer reads percentile data and sets a dimension that suits the chosen range of users. In an answer, always cite the data and the percentile range rather than saying a product is simply "comfortable".
Where this fits in the course
Aesthetics and ergonomics sit among the design factors and feed into conflict resolution, because they often clash with cost and manufacture. Aesthetics links to the market and product lifecycle through fashion and style, and ergonomic testing relies on the models in graphics and modelling.
Try this
Q1. Explain three influences on the aesthetics of a commercial product. [3 marks]
- Cue. The target market's tastes; fashion and style; the brand identity; or the materials and finishes available.
Q2. Explain how anthropometric data and percentiles are used to size a product. [4 marks]
- Cue. The designer reads body-measurement data and designs for a percentile range (commonly 5th to 95th) so the product suits the great majority of users.
Q3. Explain why inclusive design can be a commercial advantage. [3 marks]
- Cue. It widens the market the product can serve and avoids excluding users, and clearer, lower-force design improves usability for everyone.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of SQA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
SQA Advanced Higher6 marksExplain how ergonomics influences the design of a product, referring to anthropometrics, physiology and psychology.Show worked answer →
Worth about 6 marks, so the marker wants ergonomics broken into its three
strands, each linked to a design decision.
Anthropometrics. The designer uses body-measurement data, working to
percentiles (commonly the 5th to 95th), so a handle suits small and large
hands and controls are within reach for most users.
Physiology. The design suits how the body works and tires, for example
shaping a grip to spread pressure and damp vibration so the product can be
used for long periods without strain or injury.
Psychology. The design suits how the user perceives and understands it, for
example clear, intuitive controls and feedback (a click, a colour) so the
product feels easy and is used correctly.
Conclude. A top answer states that fitting the product to the user across
all three strands makes it more comfortable, safer and easier to use, and
that ergonomic data is what makes this objective.
SQA Advanced Higher4 marksExplain what inclusive design is and why it is important for a commercial product.Show worked answer →
Worth about 4 marks. The markers want a definition of inclusive design and
a reason it matters commercially and socially.
Definition. Inclusive design means designing a product so it can be used
by as many people as possible, including older users and those with
reduced strength, reach, sight or dexterity, without needing special
adaptation.
How it is achieved. The designer uses a wider range of anthropometric and
ability data, large clear controls, low-force operation and good contrast,
so more users are included.
Why it matters. It widens the market the product can serve and avoids
excluding users, which is both a commercial benefit and a social
responsibility. A strong answer notes it improves usability for everyone,
not only those with specific needs.
Related dot points
- The design factors of function, performance and safety: primary and secondary function, fitness for purpose, planned obsolescence, maintenance, value for money, and ensuring safety through certification, British Standards and kitemarks.
An SQA Advanced Higher Design and Manufacture answer on the design factors of function, performance and safety, covering primary and secondary function, fitness for purpose, planned obsolescence, maintenance, value for money, and ensuring safety through certification, British Standards and kitemarks.
- The market as a design factor: the product lifecycle (introduction, growth, maturity, decline), the influences on it, and product redesign, including incremental and radical change, branding, diversification and the reasons for commercial success or failure.
An SQA Advanced Higher Design and Manufacture answer on the market as a design factor, covering the product lifecycle and its stages, the influences on it such as market trends, branding and technology push and market pull, and product redesign through incremental and radical change and diversification.
- Conflict resolution: the conflict and balance between design issues, between society, economics and the environment, and between consumers, designers and manufacturers, and the methods and activities used to resolve them.
An SQA Advanced Higher Design and Manufacture answer on conflict resolution, covering the conflict and balance between competing design issues, between society, economics and the environment, and between consumers, designers and manufacturers, and the methods used to reach a balanced proposal.
- The use of graphics and modelling in the design process to generate and explore, test and refine, and communicate, including physical models (sketch, block, scale, test rigs, prototypes) and computer-generated models and simulations.
An SQA Advanced Higher Design and Manufacture answer on graphics and modelling in the design process, covering how each is used to generate and explore, test and refine, and communicate, and the purpose of sketch, block, scale and test-rig models, prototypes, and computer-generated models and simulations.
- Product analysis: the information gathered from analysing commercial products, including identifying influences on performance, evaluating performance, analysing manufacture and assembly, and judging impact on society and the environment, as referenced in question 1 of the question paper.
An SQA Advanced Higher Design and Manufacture answer on product analysis, covering the information gathered from analysing commercial products: identifying and evaluating influences on performance, analysing manufacture and assembly, and judging impact on society and the environment, as needed for question 1 of the question paper.