Abstract

Many studies have been conducted to test and improve existing design methods, which can be used for engineering production and development. In order to improve the usability of design methods, the present thesis proposes a new approach to quantify the human mental stresses during the design activities. Two sets of experiments are implemented for this study. Kinesics analysis is used to quantify the designer's mental stresses during the design activities. Meanwhile, heart rate variability (HRV) analysis has been performed to verify the results from kinesics study. The present thesis initiates the research that employs the kinesics study in the quantification of the mental stresses.