3 Ergonomic Design Strategies for an 11-year-old to Understand — Designing for Many Different Workers

Three easy ergonomic strategies that help more people

I will explain each strategy step by step and give examples you can picture (like chairs, desks, and tools).

1) Make things adjustable

What it means: Parts that move so the same chair or desk can fit a tall person or a short person.

1. Step 1 — Decide what needs adjusting: seat height, backrest angle, armrest height, and monitor height.
2. Step 2 — Add simple adjustment controls: a lever to raise/lower a seat or a knob to tilt a backrest.
3. Step 3 — Test with different people: try setting the chair so someone short has feet flat on the floor and someone tall can sit without crowding their knees.

Example: A height-adjustable desk can be low for a short person and high for a tall person. That way more workers are comfortable.

2) Offer a range of sizes or modular parts

What it means: Not every part has to be one size — give choices or parts that can be swapped.

1. Step 1 — Measure what people need: for example, handle thickness or seat width for small to large hands and bodies.
2. Step 2 — Provide 2–4 size options or interchangeable parts (like small, medium, large tool grips or cushions).
3. Step 3 — Label the options so people can pick the right size quickly.

Example: Tools with two handle sizes and desks with optional foot rests mean people with small or large hands and legs can work safely.

3) Reduce effort and make controls easy to use (universal usability)

What it means: Make tasks require less strength and make buttons and controls easy to see and press.

1. Step 1 — Lower forces: use levers, power assists, or lighter materials so people don’t need to push or lift too hard.
2. Step 2 — Improve controls: use large buttons, clear icons or colors, and place controls where hands naturally rest.
3. Step 3 — Design for both hands: make controls easy to use with left or right hand and make grips non-slip and comfortable.

Example: A screwdriver with a cushioned grip that fits many hand sizes and a power option for heavy work helps people who are smaller or not as strong.

Quick checklist for designers (simple testing)

• Can a short person and a tall person both sit comfortably? (check feet and knees)
• Are there multiple sizes or parts people can choose from?
• Do controls need low force and are they easy to see and press?

These three strategies—adjustability, size options/modularity, and reducing effort with easy controls—help designers include many different workers so workplaces are safer and more comfortable for everyone.