Ergonomics (Product description and Idea Trigger)

Description of the Product:
The product is a Shoes Cleaner Brush. It is blue in colour. This product is special in the sense that there are nylon fibre on both sides of the brush. The material used to make the handle is plastic. It is used to clean shoes thats why it is called Shoes Cleaner Brush. It is smooth and sleek. Its design is simple but it still carries out its function properly. It gives the user a firm grip. It is durable and handy. There is a curve on the handle, making it unique and different from others.

Design Considerations when Designing the Product:

Although its design is different from other similar shoe brushes, it must still carry out its usual function which is to clean shoes.

The design must not be too complex for the user. If it is, the user will have problems using it. So simplicity may be the best.

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

Yes.

1. The elderly may not have enough strength to rub off the stains on the shoes.

2. As the brush has nylon fibres on both sides, when the elderly uses one side, the nylon fibre on the other side may be obstructing the elderly for cleaning the shoes as it might hit the elderly's hand or obstruct the movement of his/her hand.

3. The handle of the brush maybe be too big for the elderly to grasp fully. If the elderly is frail, he/she may not be able to life the brush up as he/she is weak.

4. The surface of the handles is too smooth, therefore the elderly's hand may slip off.

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

1. Have nylon fibres only on one side of the brush, but increase the amount of nylon fibres on that side.

2. Make the Handle smaller.

3. Make the Handle lighter.

4. Have a firm grip on the handle(eg. rubber-to increase friction).

5. Make it Collapsible.

Improved Product: (Sorry its upside down)

When it is folded(Collapsible)

Ergonomics 2

1. What is Ergonomics?
Ergonomics derives from two Greek words: ergon, meaning work, and nomoi, meaning natural laws, to create a word that means the science of work and a person’s relationship to that work. Ergonomics is the science of making things comfy. It also makes things efficient. And when you think about it, comfy just another way of making things efficient. However for simplicity, ergonomics makes things comfortable and efficient.
2. What are the 5 aspects of Ergonomics?
The five aspects of Ergonomics are Comfort, Aesthetics, Safety, Ease of Use & Productivity/Performance.
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.
Comfort:

It has an elastic support on the back frame, which provides outstanding comfort. It has a leg rest for elderly as their legs can tired easily. It also has a convenient push handle at the back of the chair for it to be inclined, for elderly if they are tired. Lastly, it has an elastic open seat base which provides support for the elderly.

Safety:
I think that the floor tiles can be a good example. If the floor tiles are slippery and the elderly is not careful, he/she may slip and fall causing himself/herself to get injured. Therefore, the floor tiles should be rough to have more friction.

Ease Of Use:
An example would be the sign boards. Elderly's eyesight may not be very good. Therefore, they might not be able to see properly when they are far away. If the boards are too complex(too many words and directions), the elderly might be confused. So, for the ease of use, it should just be simple but do not lack the important information.

Productivity/Performance:
One thing is the table. If your table is cramp with stuffs, the productivity rate will drop as you may find it hard to concentrate on doing what you are suppose to do and may have not find you items.

Aesthetics:
Aesthetics is a set of principles concerned with the nature and appreciation with beauty. We must look for items that are well furnished and have good appearance. So, probably a nice looking wheelchair would be good for the elderly. It must still have all the usual functions and must do its job of helping an elderly walk.

Citations:
http://ergonomics.about.com/od/ergonomicbasics/a/ergo101.htm
http://www.medicalproductsdirect.com/chforelpecoc.html

Ergonomics 1 - Question 4

Why do you think that Ergonomics is important when designing?

Ergonomics is important when designing as the efficiency and work rate of people working in office has been very low, particularly due to cluttered office and poor design of the working environment. It is important as it affects one’s mood, efficiency, work rate and even versatility. Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent repetitive strain injuries, which can develop over time and can lead to long-term disability. Having a more comfortable place can increase the considerably good factors and thus become a conducive environment.

Ergonomics 1

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

Comfort and Simplicity- The Liberty Chair allows one to incline the chair and provides a lot of space, whereas A Work ng Chair has little space and people have a problem adjusting the height of it, which may cause the person to feel uncomfortable.

Incorrect Height and Depth- Some people have problems looking at the computer screen, maybe because of poor eyesight. However, the monitor could not be moved. In the 2nd design, the M7 Monitor Arm allows the computer screen to be pulled forward, allowing the person to see and does not need to squint his/her eyes.

Task Lighting- The lighting is too bright, causing people not to be able to see properly. The Different Light allows the lamp to be pulled towards the work, making it more convenient.

Freedom of Movement- The arm rest in the first design was too high. Therefore, people would have problems moving around, just like the man which almost spilled the drink. However, for the second design, the arm rest for the chair was adjustable. So, he could drink without the arm rest hindering him.

As there is reflection, sometimes, the angle of the laptop will makes it hard for people to see the screen. For the 1st design, the man used books and files and placed them below the laptop to make it higher, easier for the man to read. For the 2nd design, it was easier as the man just had to place a laptop holder under the laptop.