Designing for the People Who Use It · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Design for real bodies

Design & Technology · Designing & Making · ages 14-16
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. Which pair of body measurements directly informs handle length and seat height?

    • Foot length and the distance between the shoulders
    • Hand breadth and seated lower-leg length
    • Head width and the distance between the elbows

  2. Why is one average hand measurement not enough to decide whether a handle fits its intended users?

    • It proves that every intended user has the same hand size
    • It does not show the users' range or the handle's fit
    • It proves that nobody can use a handle near that size

  3. A kettle's only finished signal is a beep. Who cannot use that signal if they have no other way to detect completion?

    • A user who cannot hear the kettle's beep
    • A user who can hear the beep but prefers coffee
    • A user who can hear the beep from a nearby room

  4. Fit tests show that a one-size glove does not fit many intended users. What should the designer try next?

    • Keep its dimensions and change only the product name
    • Use hand data to develop sizes and test their fit
    • Keep its dimensions and change only the package design

  5. A user requests a visual signal when their kettle finishes heating. Which change meets that request?

    • Add a raised symbol that stays unchanged on the button
    • Add a louder beep while leaving the display unchanged
    • Add a clear light that changes when heating finishes

  6. Users say a tool is fine, but a designer notices repeated grip changes during use. What should the designer do next?

    • Treat the answers as proof and stop investigating use
    • Treat the grip changes as proof and replace the tool
    • Observe with permission and ask about the grip changes

  7. A low-force button alone proves that a product can be used one-handed.

    Circle one:   True   False

  8. Which ticket-machine design should be tested first for a user with limited hand strength and sight?

    • Reachable low-force controls, tactile markings and audio guidance
    • Reachable high-force controls, smooth surfaces and a small display
    • Raised high-force controls, tactile markings and visual guidance
LightMySky · lightmysky.comW1-mt_QPznzhuBNI-s1

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Design for real bodies W1-mt_QPznzhuBNI-s1

  1. Hand breadth and seated lower-leg length · Hand breadth helps choose handle length. Seated lower-leg length helps choose seat height.
  2. It does not show the users' range or the handle's fit · An average does not show the spread of hand measurements or how much variation the handle allows.
  3. A user who cannot hear the kettle's beep · This signal depends on hearing. Someone who cannot hear it needs another suitable way to detect completion.
  4. Use hand data to develop sizes and test their fit · Measured hand ranges can guide different sizes. Fit tests then check whether those sizes work for the intended users.
  5. Add a clear light that changes when heating finishes · A light that changes at completion provides a visual event signal. An unchanged symbol or another beep does not meet that request.
  6. Observe with permission and ask about the grip changes · Observation records the actions. Asking helps explain whether the changes are useful, uncomfortable or caused by a problem.
  7. False · Low force addresses pressing effort. Reach, one-handed operation and product stability also need checking.
  8. Reachable low-force controls, tactile markings and audio guidance · Reach and low operating force address use of the controls. Tactile markings and audio guidance reduce reliance on sight.
Worksheet · LightMySky