Course detail
Ergonomics
FSI-YER Acad. year: 2025/2026 Winter semester
The basis of the subject is the understanding of all aspects and interactions of the human-machine-environment system with the aim of their implementation into the design work, with special regard to the utility and safety of the system. Students apply acquired knowledge on tasks of modeling situations related to the use and operation of objects and machines in order to optimize the position of a person in solved work and non-work activities. They will be able to adapt the proposed design to the capabilities, possibilities, needs and limitations of the user.
Language of instruction
Czech
Number of ECTS credits
4
Supervisor
Department
Entry knowledge
The subject is by its character and content specific and does not require any similarly oriented subject as a prerequisite. Nevertheless, students are expected to have a basic knowledge of human biology, physics, statistics, and design fundamentals. In biology and physics, the level of secondary school knowledge, for the statistics and the basics of construction, the scope of the curriculum discussed within the university studies is sufficient.
Rules for evaluation and completion of the course
Course-unit credit requirements (min 35 points, max 70 points): attendance at exercises, handing over assigned corrected projects one day before the examination at the latest, test. Combined exam (min 15 points, max 30 points) – written and oral . Projects topics and deadlines will be specified during the course. Resulting classification will be defined by the ECTS scale. According to the article No. 13 of Study and Examination Rules of Brno University of Technology ECTS evaluation degree scale is used. The course is evaluated with the following grades: ECTS EVALUATION DEGREES / PTS. RATING / NUMERIC RATING: A / 100 – 90 / 1 / Excellent; B /89 – 80 / 1,5 / Very good; C / 79 – 70 / 2 / Good; D / 69 – 60 / Satisfactory; E / 59 – 50 / Sufficient; F / 49 – 0 / 4 / Failed.
Recommended attendance at lectures, compulsory attendance at seminars. Education runs according to the week schedule. The way of compensation of missed seminars is specified by the tutor.
Aims
The aim of the subject is to acquire the knowledge needed for the design and modernization of industrial products and work environment.
Graduates will be able an anthropocentric approach to design, to the systemic solution of the relationship man-machine-environment. Graduates will be able to formulate requirements for the relationship of a person to any product, to respect its dimensions, psychophysiological possibilities and limits in relation to the performed activity whether of occupational or non-working nature.
The student acquires:
- Knowledges about the human and about the optimization of psychophysical load.
- Knowledge of the specifics of the working environment.
- The ability to design the system of drivers and indicators.
- The ability of apply the principles of interior design.
- Knowledge of safety work.
- Knowledge of the methodical approach to the construction.
The study programmes with the given course
Programme B-PDS-P: Industrial Design, Bachelor's, compulsory
Programme B-VKP-P: Visual Communication in the Creative Industries, Bachelor's, compulsory
Type of course unit
Lecture
13 hours, optionally
Syllabus
- Introduction into the subject. Ergonomics- definition, basis, benefit, goal.
- Human – anthropometric and psycho-physical attributes, dimensions.
- Human – sensations and perceptions, reflexes.
- Human – psychological attributes, interpersonal connections.
- Human – virtue of human, machine virtue, dimensional solution of the machine.
- Human and machine- working position, movement space, visual conditions.
- Tools and equipment, principles and criteria for the design of handels.
- Controls and indicators, connection between controls and indicators, solution of controls and indicators system.
- Human and environment, climatic specifications, illumination, noise, vibrations and shakes.
- Safety of work.
- Interior – housing, zoning of the house / flat, physical properties of the space, layout solution.
- Housing and communal spaces, requirements for social, leisure and business premises.
Studio work
26 hours, compulsory
Syllabus
- Manufacturingf of the test dummy in sizes 5%, 50%, 95%.
- Ergonomic parameters I.- ergonomic solution of a seat, analysis of task, sketches.
- Ergonomic parameters I.- ergonomic solution of a seat, sketches.
- Ergonomic parameters I.- ergonomic solution of a seat, variants.
- Ergonomic parameters I.- ergonomic solution of a seat, visualization.
- Ergonomic parameters II. – ergonomic solution of a machine, analysis of task, sketches.
- Ergonomic parameters II. – ergonomic solution of a machine, sketches.
- Ergonomic parameters II. – ergonomic solution of a machine, variants.
- Ergonomic parameters II. – ergonomic solution of a machine, visualization.
- Ergonomic parameters III. – ergonomic solution of an environment, analysis of task, sketches.
- Ergonomic parameters III. – ergonomic solution of an environment, sketches.
- Ergonomic parameters III. – ergonomic solution of an environment, variants. Test.
- Ergonomic parameters III. – ergonomic solution of an environment, visualization.