Digital mentoring in industrial design: facilitating ergonomics through digital tools and user experiences

Abstract

The optimal application of ergonomics in industrial design is imperative for creating functional and comfortable products. Nevertheless, many an industrial designer —particularly students— faces challenges when attempting to understand and apply ergonomic principles, often confusing them with the concept of anthropometry. This article describes the development of a specialized ergonomics section within an online mentorship platform for industrial design, in which information was presented in an accessible and straightforward manner. The digital tool and its methods were validated by means of a practical test with third-semester students at the Autonomous University of Querétaro, who applied the interface in their Design Workshop I project to plan and construct chair prototypes. The results demonstrate that the layout of the platform effectively transmit knowledge in an understandable approach. In the experimental essay, approximately 94% of the chairs met ergonomic requirements, confirming the strategy’s effectiveness as an educational resource. This study proposes a digital platform that display information concisely, which aims to facilitate the implementation of ergonomic principles in product design by students.