Humanscale

$1,200.00

Humanscale is an important book for everyone who designs for the human body. So, for the most part, every designer. There are designers who work on things for plants and animals, but even things designed for plants and animals tend to get handled by humans. This will mostly be true until the robot army takes over. And when they do, they should have this portfolio of volvelles that incorporates the extensive amount of human engineering data compiled and organized by Henry Dreyfuss Associates. It is a stunning and humbling compilation of over 20,000 bits of information, basically encompassing anthropometry,* the guidelines for seating and design, and the requirements for the disabled and elderly. Men, women, and children—large and small—are represented, with measurements given in metric and English units. A stunning and fascinating piece of design about the design of humans. 

The included scales cover the following: 

1a. Body Measurements 
1b. Link Measurements 
2a. Seating Guide 
2b. Seat/Table Guide 
3a. Wheelchair Users 
3b. Handicapped and Elderly
4a. Human Strength 
4b. Safety 
5a. Hand and Foot Controls 
5b. Displays 
6a. Head and Vision 
6b. Hands and Feet
7a. Standing at Work 
7b. Seated at Work 
8a. Space Planning 
8b. Public Space 
9a. Body Access 
9b. Light and Color 

*an·thro·pom·e·try [ˌanTHrəˈpämətrē] n. the scientific study of the measurements and proportions of the human body.

  • Authors: Niels Diffrient, Alvin R. Tilley, and Joan C. Bardagjy
  • Size: 11 × 8.5 inches
  • Pages: Book 1: 32; Book 2: 48; Book 3: 52; + 9 loose Mylar scales
  • Binding: Each stapled booklet is accompanied by three scales in a plastic folder. There are three folders.
  • Condition: Each book is good with very minor wear and an occasional impression from the grommets that hold the scales together. The cover of Book 1 has some spotting on the cover. All of the scales are fine with occasional minor discoloration, but they are largely bright and delightful. The clear plastic folder for scales 1–3 shows its age with some darkening spotting. The clear plastic folder for scales 4–5 is clean but heavily puckered. There is a 1-inch tear at the edge of the pouch which holds the accompanying book. The clear plastic folder for scales 7–9 is good, with minor soiling and signs of age.
  • Publisher: MIT Press, 1974 (fourth printing, 1985)