ABSTRACT
Ergonomics can have a vast impact on the specification, usefulness and usability of designed artefacts. It can be used to inform all stages of the design process, but has shown to be most effective when employed during concept design where it can have a proactive role in shaping design decisions. When changes are made later in the development cycle they are likely to be reactive and preventative rather than proactive (Simpson and Mason, 1983), are more likely to be superficial, become more costly (Grudin et al, 1987) and may be received with hostility.
