Maximize Function: Cutting-edge Ergonomics for Healthy and Equitable Design

Workshop Description

Objectives
Equipping students with cutting-edge ergonomic knowledge, skills, and practical tools to design, while considering the human body’s abilities, limitations, and diverse needs. This will enhance user performance and reinforce the values of health, convenience, effectiveness, simplicity and safety. The workshop also fosters critical thinking skills, enabling students to analyze user needs and design solutions thoughtfully and ethically.
While rooted in product design, this workshop is equally relevant for students of visual communication and interaction design, as ergonomic and human factors principles underlie all human-centered design disciplines.

Structure
The workshop follows a lecture-based format enriched with interactive theoretical lessons that blend experiential and active-teaching techniques, open discussions, live demonstrations, and hands-on exercises. During the workshop, the students interact with physical products that exemplify biomechanical and anatomical ergonomic principles in design, experiencing firsthand how even subtle design decisions can significantly affect usability. Practice sessions follow each topic, grounding theoretical knowledge in tangible exploration.

Topics
The workshop draws from a broad curriculum, with topics addressed according to the depth and pace each group brings:
• Introduction to Ergonomics
• Anatomy & Kinesiology
• Principles of Ergonomics in Design
• Anthropometry in Design
• Colors of Function
• Cognitive Ergonomics
• Handheld Tool Design
• Task Analysis Methods
• Ergonomics of Seated Workstations
• Ergonomics & Inclusive Design

Final Project
On the final day, students create a pop-up "Active Ergonomics Museum" - guiding peers through experiential stations that demonstrate their week's insights using real products. This process deepens understanding while developing communication and presentation skills.

Track Record
The workshop has been successfully delivered in various formats at HfG Schwäbisch Gmünd, HTW Dresden, Aalen University, and MOME Budapest. Impressions from past workshops can be found on Instagram: @eranfranco.

Requirements

No prior knowledge or skills are required. The workshop is open to all design students regardless of background or specialization.

Where is it located?

H 0.14

Eran Franco

Maximizing human function is my specialism - I'm a senior physiotherapist, an expert in ergonomics and accessibility and a design educator.

I hold a master's degree in industrial design from the Technion Institute of Technology.

I am vice director of the physiotherapy department at Shamir Medical Center, a lecturer at Tel Aviv University, Holon Institute of Technology, and Jerusalem Multidisciplinary College, and a guest lecturer at European design academies. I also work as an ergonomics consultant for design firms.

I believe that design can dramatically improve human quality of life. Since educating for values is a life mission for me, I want to spread my knowledge and skills to students around the globe — to influence their worldview for the better, and to lead, together with them, toward a healthier and more equitable world through design.

This workshop can accomodate 25 students. Location: H 0.14.