This statement from Ergonomics In The News quoting German Industrial Designer Peter Knopp understandably attracted our attention, as much for how he represents his view of the relationship between design and ergonomics as for what he actually says about that relationship.

We’d like to share Peter’s sentiment by rephrasing it more positively: “Ergonomics prevents bad design and poor functionality.” Because as we all know, and as the old cliche goes, prevention is better than cure!

Unfortunately, as this article reveals, often Ergonomics is often only integrated into the Design Process as a ‘cure’ for poorly considered human interaction as opposed to acting as the starting point in a genuinely human centred design process.  

“Design should make technology understandable and accessible. It should ensure that people can make use of devices.” Gerd E. Wilsdorf, chief designer for Siemens Electronic Devices in Munich.

It is Ergonomics that will enable Design and Designers to do this.

What do you think? What does Ergonomics mean to you? Do you have any examples of products where the designer has not made technology accessible to you? Use the comments link on this post to let us know and we could feature your story in an exhibition at The Design Museum in London in a year’s time.