SizeChina: A 3D Anthropometric Survey of the Chinese Head (2011)

Problem The design of consumer products that are worn on the head relies on the availability of accurate anthropometric information describing the shape and size of the human head and face. Historical anthropometric studies with univariate data have documented the existence of shape differences between Asian and Western head shapes, but the information available to designers has traditionally been based on only Western data. As a result, Asian users have often experienced poor fit in products used on the head. In addition, the geometry of the head is complex, making traditional univariate data unsatisfactory as a description for its form, as it typically includes only numerical values for head length, head width and circumference. Because of the inelastic nature of the head, products that fit the head are especially demanding in terms of nuances of shape. Proper fit is not just an issue of comfort. A motorcycle helmet that does not fit properly puts its wearer at risk of serious injury or death. Designers need accurate 3D information to create products that fit the Chinese head properly. To maximize the acceptance of such information, data products recording it must integrate with the tools and methods of professional design practice. Methods The limitations of univariate numerical data have been overcome recently with the application of digital 3D scanning methods to anthropometric research. Using 3D scanning, researchers can obtain true 3D spatial co-ordinates for the complex geometry of the human body. Full body scans, however, must spread out their limited number of scan points over the entire body, and therefore fail to capture high resolution data on the geometrically complex areas of the face, hands and feet. Low resolution data derived from full body scans is unsuitable for design applications in head and face product design. To meet the need for accurate high resolution data, the SizeChina project created a survey to gather specialized 3D head scans using a Cyberware 3030 head scanner. As a late-generation anthropometric study, SizeChina was able to benefit from “best practices” developed in previous studies. Existing international anthropometric standards provided clear guidance on the type of data required, as well as the procedure required to calculate the number of subjects needed to achieve statistically significant results. Adult subjects, equally male and female, were recruited from three age groups; 18-30, 31-50, 51-70+ to provide a statistically significant cross section of the adult Chinese population. Data recorded corresponds to the data specified for use in international ergonomic standards mandated in product safety testing and other areas. Results SizeChina collected 2000 high resolution 3D head and face scans from subjects in six provinces across mainland China. Head shape is an important anthropometric variable, relevant to the fields of biology, medicine and design. Statistical comparisons of the 3D scan data obtained from the two recent anthropometric surveys CAESAR and SizeChina confirm the univariate evidence that there is a significant morphological difference between the shape of the Western head and the shape of the Chinese head. The comparison shows that Chinese heads can be generally characterized as rounder than their western counterparts with a flatter back and forehead. The findings of this study show that headgear designed using Western anthropological head shape are not appropriate for the Chinese head. Conclusion “New Anthropometrics” refers to a field of study that aims to bridge the gap between design and science to provide 3D anthropometric information that is scientifically accurate, but at the same time intellectually accessible to non-scientists. The research outcomes of this project have generated specific data aimed at solving the problem of “Asian fit” in commercial headwear products. The project has also yielded new approaches to the problem of communicating that information to its targeted user groups of designers and engineers.