Design for the Average
• Design for the average is the
cheapest but least preferred
approach.
• For example, most industrial machine
tools are too large and too heavy to
include height adjustability for the
operator.
• Designing the operating height at the
50th percentile of the elbow height for
the combined female and male
populations means that most
individuals will not be unduly
inconvenienced.
• However, the exceptionally tall male
or very short female may experience
some postural discomfort.