Ergonomics (Product description and Idea Trigger)

Description of product:

It is pink, having a circular tip, with a curve inwards to separate the 2 sticks further at the top. It is made of plastic, and its function is of a chopstick, except the 2 sticks are attached with a circular tip. The two sticks are not totally parallel, but are moving inwards. To use that chopstick, we hold it just like a normal pair of chopsticks, but it can give the Elderly a better grip.

What are the design considerations when designing this product?

-If the Elderly needs to use this product.

-If it is more efficient and easier for the Elderly to use.

-If there are any parts of the product that might injure the Elderly, like sharp edges.

Would an elderly faced difficulty using this product? If yes, what are the difficulties that the elderly would face?

-An Elderly might face difficulty, if they have a weak grip problem. The Elderly might need to use force to use the chopsticks, and might not be able to use it properly.

What do you think can be done to improve on the design of the product to suit the elderly?

The reason why Elderly need to use too much force in using this product is that they are using it at the wrong position. The higher they use it, the more force needed. My improvement is to make the chopstick length adjustable to the preference of the Elderly.

Ergonomics 2

1. What is Ergonomics?

It is the factors affecting the understanding and communication between the user and the product or working environment. The more comfortable the user feels, the more and better quality work it can produce.

2. What are the 5 aspects of Ergonomics?

The 5 aspects of Ergonomics are comfort, safety, ease of use, productivity/performance and aesthetics.

3. For each aspects of Ergonomics, explain with an example of a product that is designed for the elderly, how the product meet that particular aspect of Ergonomics.

1) Safety: “No Cuts" Cutting Board is a product for the Elderly’s safety. It is a product to help the Elderly with weak grip. It is to prevent them from cutting their hand with the knife.

2) Comfort: Folding Shopping Cart with Seat is a product for the Elderly’s comfort. It is a product to help the Elderly shop on his/her own. It has wheels, a shopping cart and a seat. It is to help Elderly who needs mobility assistance.

3) Ease of use: Slip Free Strips is a product for the Elderly’s ease of use. It is to prevent the Elderly from slipping. It ease them with walking up or down stairs or at slippery surfaces, because they know the product is trustable and safe.

4) Productivity/performance: Jakoter Health Tag is a product for the Elderly’s performance. It is to track the Elderly’s medical records, and contain emergency contacts to physicians and so on. It is trustable thus the Elderly finds it safe.

5) Aesthetics: The Hearing Aid for the Elderly is a product for aesthetics. It fits well into the ear, as it follows the shape of a ear.

Ergonomics 1

1. Compare the 2 different workplaces, state your observations.

In the first workplace, the user feels uncomfortable sitting on the chair for long hours. The chair does not give the user the freedom to move the arms when he is trying to do other things and does not allow the back to move downwards to let the person lie back. Also, the chair cannot be adjusted up or down, making the person feel more uncomfortable with the wrong height. In the second workplace, the person feels comfortable. The arms of the chair can be moved upwards when the person wants it to, and the back can be moved downwards, letting the person lie back. There are different parts of the back of the chair that is able to move. Also, the chair’s height can be adjusted.

In the first workplace, the user’s eyes feels strained from staring at the computer screen for a long period of time. The screen is not able to move to make the height suitable for the user. In the second workplace, the user feels comfortable. The screen has an arm behind it, such that it allows the screen to move up, down, left and right.

In the first workplace, the lights are too glaring for the user to see properly, the lights are too hot so the user cannot adjust properly and there is a reflection on the screen making it harder to read the words on the screen. In the second workplace, the light is movable and can be pointed to a specific place. The light is also not very glaring so the user can see easily.

In the first workplace, the user experience troubles using the computer for too long and feeling strained. He cannot find a suitable place to put the computer. In the second workplace, there is a laptop holder to rise the laptop to a suitable height for the user.

In the first workplace, he has a lot of things on his work desk, making it messy. The CPU and keyboard is on the table. The user also spilled his drink because of lack of space. In the second workplace, there is more space on his work desk, and he feels more comfortable. The CPU is placed under the table, which the keyboard can be pushed out and not placed on the table.

2. Which workplace is preferred? State with reasons why one workplace is preferred over the other.

The second workplace is preferred. The chair is more comfortable, with its back allowed to move backwards to let the user lie back, can be adjusted up or down and the arms of the chair can be moved up or down to suit what the user is doing. The monitor can be adjusted to a suitable height for the user to make him feel comfortable. The lights are not very glaring, making it easy to see properly. There is more space so the user can feel comfortable.

3. What are the considerations that should be taken into account when designing a workplace that is suitable for the user?

When designing a workplace, we must consider the problems faced with the items in a workplace, and what discomforts they face. Also, we should consider the current products already designed to address these problems.

4. Why do you think that Ergonomics is important when designing?

Ergonomics is the communication between the product and the user. When designing, we must consider if we ourselves want to buy the product.