ABSTRACT

This chapter starts with the introduction of the two most confusing terms, interface and interaction in design. It then gradually explains the ergonomic basis for designing display and control elements which are essentially inputs and outputs from the system. The principles of distributing functions between man and machine are discussed. Then the reader is taken to the systems perspective of ergonomics in the design of display and control elements. The ergonomic principles of control and display design are then explained. Ergonomic issues in designing control panels and how to incorporate ergonomic principles while designing human–machine interfaces are discussed. The different ergonomic issues in display design such as the format in which the information should be presented under different circumstances for different groups of target users are discussed. Ergonomic principles like information about level of detail are extremely important in display design to ensure that human errors are minimized. The use of colors should factor in issues of dark and light adaptation of the users in front of the displays. Along with this, physical ergonomic issues such as change in body position and subsequent change in visual angles are important aspects to be considered as well.