Thursday, July 22, 2010

Ergonomics (Product description and Idea Trigger)

This is the picture of the brush which is extended
This is the picture of the brush which is not extended
This picture shows that the brush can be hooked using the hole at the top





















The clean brush is shaped like a small broom, it is green in colour. It is long and smooth too. It could be extended in order to reach further. It is designed for cleaning places which are very crammed or tiny. It is suitable for cleaning window the window frame trench and other small and tiny places. There is a digger like tool which allows us to dig up the dirt or dusts which is hidden underneath. They thought that it would be easier if we can hook the brush up and if it could be extended. The elderly would not face any difficulties using it. When we extend the brush, it is very flimsy, thus it is difficult to use the brush when it is extended.


My Sketch:
(Click to enlarge)
The brush would look the same as the original product when it is not extended 

Monday, July 12, 2010

Ergonomics II

What is Ergonomics?
- It is the science of designing the equipment or workplace to fit the worker.  (Wikipedia)
- Study of people's efficiency in their working environment (Apple Dictionary)
- The scientific study of equipment design, as in office furniture or transportation seating, for the purpose of improving efficiency, comfort, or safety. (Dictionary.com)

2. What are the 5 aspects of Ergonomics?
- Safety
- Comfort
- Ease of Use
- Productivity / Performance
- 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.

- Safety 
- Medicine bottles — print sizes could be enlarged so those with impaired vision (due to sinus problems, for example) can more easily read the label instructions. Ergonomics can discover the optimum font style, color and size to enhance readability using the limited space available on a medicine label.



- Comfort
- Alarm clock display — some displays are harshly bright, drawing one’s eye to the light or keeping one awake when surroundings are dark. Ergonomic principles could redesign this based on contrast principles and include automatic dimming functions in low-light environments (such as when a user has turned off the room lights to sleep).

- Ease of Use
- Street Signs — in an unfamiliar area, it can be quite difficult to spot street signs. This could be addressed by using principles of visual detection to make street signs more visible.







- Productivity / Performance
- Office furniture/equipment — the use of ergonomically designed office furniture and equipment (such as office chairs and computer input devices) can drastically reduce work-related injuries and employee absences.






- Aesthetics
- Signs in the workplace — signage could be made more aesthetic by using a consistent format throughout the workplace.






* Examples are taken from http://casestudy-itgs.wikispaces.com/Social+Impacts+-+Ergonomic *

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Ergonomics I

Compare the 2 different workplaces, state your observations.
- The first workplace shown seems a bit messy and there is a lot of things on the table, so the person using the table does not have enough space to do his work. The second workplace is more tidier and there are lesser things on the table.

Which workplace is preferred? State with reasons why one workplace is preferred over the other.
- The second workplace is preferred because there are more space to move around and it is not cluttered with things. The person using it can relax and it would certainly be more comfortable as compared to using the other untidy desk.

3. What are the considerations that should be taken into account when designing a workplace that is suitable for the user?
- The workplace must have a lot of space so that the person can move around freely, the height and the lighting must also be suitable. Then, it would meet the needs of the people.

4. Why do you think that Ergonomics is important when designing?
 If we don't consider Ergonomics while designing, the product we design might not be suitable for people to use. It might also hurt the people if they use it.