Friday, July 23, 2010

Ergonomics (Multi-purpose hook)


The foldable Y-shaped hook allows the user to hang plastic bags, drying/hanging shoes and also hanging of garbage bags. It is so small and foldable that it can be kept inside your bag to take it out when you need to.

Problem

Elderly might not be able to reach the items hanging when they hang the hook at high places.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Ergonomics 2

ERGONOMICS 2

1. What is Ergonomics?
-The science of designing a workplace, job,equipment, to suit or fit the worker/user.

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: E.g. 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: E.g. 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: E.g. 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: E.g. 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: E.g. Signs in the workplace — signage could be made more aesthetic by using a consistent format throughout the workplace.

Ergonomics 1

ERGONOMICS 1

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

-The second workplace compared to the first, the second workplace has the solutions to the problems faced in the first.

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

-The second workplace has the Liberty Chair, Freedom Chair, Different Light and the M7 Monitor Adjuster and L2 Laptop holder which helps provide more comfort, simplicity, incorrect height, task lighting and freedom.

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

-Problems faced by the user must be identified, the workplace designed must have the solutions to problems.


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

-For the user to be able to adapt and solve the problems faced with the previous design of the product, we will need to identify the problems.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Holiday work - Part 3: Tools to be learnt in Semester 2

ELDERLY CHALLENGE!

Video...


Photographs of Furnitures....


















Write-up...

General..

Sharp Corners of furnitures have caused elderlies great amount of pain when knocked against. Sometimes when the corners are very sharp, they might even cause them to bleed.

Hence my Version of a furnished room for a more elderly-friendly room is that the sharp corners of the furnitures, are now rounded off. This room is design to fit for a ageing couple to live in, hence the furniture will function only for two person's needs. Furnitures like Cupboards, Chairs, Bed-frames, Doors, Shoe-racks, Sofas. Are having their sharp corners rounded off.

Lights

Light hanged on the wall contains LED lights. Hence when one of the bulb blows, the elderly does not have to change the light bulb. This will be much more convenient for the elderly compared to changing big light bulbs which will need to be changed at a much faster rate.

Bedside table

The bedside table has a built-in dust-bin, objects(e.g reading glasses, spectacles, watch, lamp.) can be placed on the other half of the table. This actually saves space and also makes it easier for the elderly to reach the dust-bin.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Holiday Homework - Part 2: Deepening your learning experience (Observation III) (16 June)

Photograph......



Write-up......

Sharp corners of tables may cause injuries to elderly, might hit against the corners and result in bruises. The sharp corner will increase the pain of the injury. I observed that the elderlies might turn around without noticing the sharp corner, hence I think that the table's corners should be rounded off. hence smooth which will cause less pain when knocked against.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Holiday Homework - Part 2: Deepening your learning experience (Observation II) (9 June)

Photograph...



Writeup...

I observed that along the void decks of my neighborhood, many drains are not covered. Elderlies who have poor eyesight cannot see the obstacle in front of them walking, this may cause them to risk tripping over the drain, spraining their ankles or falling towards the grass patch.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Holiday Homework - Part 2: Deepening your learning experience (Observation I) (2 June)

Photograph...




Write-up...

The elderly (my grandma) have some problems walking when there is a curb or an obstacle. I observed that the elderly have difficulties seeing curbs or objects.
She said :" 人老了行动就不方便咯."
Which means "When people gets older, their movement are more and more immobile.