Ergonomics is one of the most frequently tested concepts in IB Design Technology, yet it is also one of the most poorly applied. Many students mention ergonomics in passing but fail to explain it clearly or link it properly to user needs. As a result, they miss out on easy marks.

In IB Design Technology exams, ergonomics is not a bonus concept. It is a core principle that examiners expect students to understand, apply, and evaluate confidently.

What Is Ergonomics in IB Design Technology?

Ergonomics refers to designing products that fit the user, rather than forcing users to adapt to the product. It focuses on comfort, safety, efficiency, and usability.

In IB Design Technology, ergonomics includes:

• Human dimensions and movement
• Comfort and posture
• Physical limitations and abilities
• Reducing strain, fatigue, and risk of injury

Ergonomics always links directly to the user, making it a key part of user-centred design.

Why Ergonomics Appears So Often in Exams

IB Design Technology exams regularly test ergonomics because it:

• Applies to almost any product
• Links theory to real-world design
• Encourages evaluation rather than memorisation

Exam questions often describe a product or scenario and ask students to explain how ergonomic considerations could improve design outcomes. Students who can do this clearly score consistently higher.

How Ergonomics Is Tested in Exam Questions

Ergonomics usually appears in:

• Short-answer application questions
• Scenario-based questions
• Extended response and evaluation tasks

Students may be asked to:

• Identify ergonomic issues in a product
• Explain how ergonomics improves usability
• Evaluate the effectiveness of ergonomic features

Simply stating “the product is ergonomic” is never enough. Marks are awarded for explanation and justification.

How to Use Ergonomics Effectively in Exam Answers

High-scoring exam answers follow a clear structure.

Strong responses:

• Identify a specific user
• Describe a specific ergonomic issue
• Explain how a design feature addresses it
• Link the improvement to comfort, safety, or efficiency

For example, instead of saying “ergonomics improves comfort,” strong answers explain how grip shape, size, posture, or force reduces strain for the user.

Ergonomics and Command Terms

Ergonomics often appears alongside command terms such as:

• Explain
• Analyse
• Evaluate

To score well, students must:

• Go beyond definition
• Apply ergonomics to the context given
• Consider both benefits and limitations

Evaluation questions may also expect trade-offs, such as balancing ergonomic comfort with cost or aesthetics.

Ergonomics in the Design Project

Although this article focuses on exams, ergonomics also plays a major role in the design project.

Strong projects:

• Use ergonomic data to justify dimensions
• Test comfort with real users
• Evaluate ergonomic success using feedback

Students who ignore ergonomics often lose marks in both development and evaluation sections.

Common Ergonomics Mistakes Students Make

Students frequently lose marks by:

• Using ergonomics as a buzzword without explanation
• Failing to link ergonomics to a specific user
• Ignoring ergonomic limitations in evaluation
• Repeating the same generic statements

Examiners reward clarity and relevance, not repetition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need measurements to discuss ergonomics in exams?

Not always. While measurements can help, clear explanation of posture, movement, and comfort is usually sufficient if well justified.

Is ergonomics more important than aesthetics?

In IB Design Technology, functionality and user comfort generally outweigh aesthetics. A visually appealing design that causes discomfort will score poorly.

Can ergonomics be used in almost any exam question?

Yes. Ergonomics applies to most products and scenarios, making it a powerful concept when used correctly and not forced.

Final Thoughts

Ergonomics is one of the most reliable ways to earn marks in IB Design Technology exams. Students who understand it deeply and apply it precisely gain a clear advantage over those who treat it as a surface-level concept.

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