Agency Dictionary

anthropometrics

nounPronunciation: /ˌæn.θrə.pəˈmet.rɪks/

What does “anthropometrics” mean?

The measurement of the human body, its sizes, proportions and reach, and the use of those measurements to design products and spaces that fit the people who use them.

Etymology

From anthropometric with the plural ending -s that names fields of study, as in ergonomics. The base, anthropometry, was formed in the scientific vocabulary of Europe from Greek anthropos ("human being") and metron ("measure"), and came into English after French anthropométrie. The measuring of the body was first a concern of physical anthropology and criminal identification in the 19th century. Its application to the design of products and workplaces belongs to the 20th century.

Usage note

Designers tend to say anthropometrics for the applied body of data and anthropometry for the science of measuring; in practice the two overlap.

Synonyms

anthropometry
body measurement

Often confused with

ergonomics: Ergonomics is the wider study of how people and their work or tools fit together; anthropometrics supplies the body measurements it relies on.

Word family

anthropometry
anthropometric
anthropometrically
anthropometrist

Rhymes with

obstetrics

Usage examples

Industrial designers consider factors such as anthropometrics, usability, and human-centred design principles to ensure that their products are intuitive, comfortable, and accessible for the intended users.
Design.3 - The Disciplines of Design

Source editions

Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.

Design.3 - The Disciplines of DesignMay 7, 2024Read the edition

Words of the same theme

Equationnoun: A complex statement or problem involving balancing multiple interdependent factors, variables, or meanings.
Buttonnoun: A physical or graphical control element that triggers an immediate action or command when pressed or clicked. In software interfaces, buttons communicate system affordances through visual boundaries and labels.
Astronautnoun: A person trained and equipped to travel and operate beyond the atmosphere of the Earth. In space exploration, astronauts perform scientific experiments and navigate spacecraft under extreme conditions.
Decompositionnoun: The natural biological or chemical process of decay, breakdown, or disintegration into constituent elements.
eppur si muoveother: An Italian phrase meaning and yet it moves. It is used to affirm that a fact remains true no matter who denies it.
recipientnoun: The person who receives something. In communication, the one to whom a message is addressed and who interprets it, as opposed to the sender who composes it.
Superfluousadjective: Exceeding what is sufficient, necessary, or useful.
iconnoun: A simplified image that represents a thing by resembling it. In semiotics, a sign that signifies through likeness; in digital interfaces, a small picture that stands for an object or a function.
Screennoun: A flat physical display surface on an electronic device that projects visual images, interfaces, and text to a viewer. It serves as the primary visual output medium for modern personal computers and mobile phones.
symbolismnoun: The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities, and the set of meanings that a form, an image or an object carries beyond its literal sense.

Also from these editions: terms

Typographynoun: The art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable, and visually appealing. It encompasses typeface selection, point size, line spacing, tracking, and spatial kerning.
wireframenoun: A skeletal visual guide that outlines the basic structure, hierarchy, and functionality of a user interface.
stakeholdernoun: A person or group with an interest in a project or an organization and affected by its results, such as clients, managers, investors or users.
Rendernoun: A finished two-dimensional image or video generated from a three-dimensional mathematical scene by computer software. It synthesizes geometric coordinates, lighting algorithms, textures, and shading into final pixels.
pain pointnoun: A specific problem, difficulty or frustration that a person experiences when using a product or a service, and that design or marketing sets out to solve.
briefingnoun: A concise set of instructions or background information provided to guide a project or creative assignment.
Mjolnirnoun: In Norse mythology, the hammer of the god Thor, forged by dwarfs and known for its short handle. It is the weapon with which he defends gods and humans.
Iterationnoun: The repetition of a process or procedure in order to generate an improved version or achieve a desired outcome.
Machiningnoun: A manufacturing process in which a raw material block is shaped into a final geometric part by controlled material removal. It employs cutting tools, lathes, and mills to achieve exact engineering tolerances.
Portfolionoun: A curated collection of creative work, technical projects, or artistic samples assembled to showcase a designer's competence.
Prototypenoun: An early preliminary model of a product from which subsequent forms and manufactured copies are developed and refined.
Storyboardnoun: A sequence of illustrated panels and captions used to pre-visualize a motion picture, animation, or commercial narrative. It outlines camera angles, character movements, and scene timings before filming or animation begins.