Ergonomics (Product description and Idea Trigger)

i) Describe the product. (Appearance, Color, Function, etc)
The product is white in colour and it has a black and white brush that is on a hard surface with a skin peeler beside the brushes. The product has a handle that has a rough texture on it for a better grip. The product can be used to scrub vegetables and fruits or peel off the skin of the fruits and vegetables like carrots. Behind the brush, there are jagged edges for cleaning the fruits and vegetables.

ii) What are the design considerations when designing this product?
-Can the product help to peel off the skin of the fruits and vegetables?
-Can the product help to watch and scrub the food products?
-can the product help to clean the food products?
-Is the product safe?
-Is the product easy to use and comfortable for the consumers to use?

iii) Would an elderly face difficulty using this product? If yes, what are the difficulties that the elderly would face?
The elderly would not face a lot of difficulties as the product has a handle that is long enough for the elderly to hold. However, the elderly would require a lot of energy to be able to scrub, peel off and clean the skin of the vegetables and fruits. Moreover, the elderly have to be careful since the blade of the product may be sharp.

iv) What do you think can be done to improve on the design of the product to suit the elderly? (Sketch the improved design in your sketchbook and take a picture of it. Post the improved sketch at the end of your post.)


The first solution: The blades are kept in a small box beside the brushes, so that the elderly would not cut themselves accidentally.

The second solution: There is a lever beside the blade to allow the blade to be pushed out and in the hole that is located at the side of the brush.

Ergonomics 2

1. What is Ergonomics?

Ergonomics is the study of people's efficiency in their working environment..
Taken from Mac dictionary

Ergonomics covers all aspect of a job, from the physical stresses it places on the worker, to environmental factors which can affect hearing, vision, and general comfort and health.
Taken from: http://ehs.okstate.edu/modules/ergo/What.htm

2. What are the 5 aspects of Ergonomics?

a) Safety

b) Comfort

c) Ease of use

d) Productivity/Performance

e) 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 - Signages can have larger prints and fonts, so that elderly will be able to see the signages, and be warned if there is danger, eg. the caution sign for wet floor.















Comfort - The glare of the television should not be too bright that it will hurt the elderly eyes or cause the elderly to feel uncomfortable.













Ease of use - Buttons on mobile phones should be bigger, so that it is convenient and easy for the elderly to use.













Productivity/Performance - Kettles should be as light as possible, and there should be a holder for the kettle so that the elderly would not feel tired easily when using the kettle.















Aesthetics - Prints on cards should be bigger, so that the elderly can see the prints easily.

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

Ergonomic 1

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

The first workplace (on the left)
-Uncomfortable chair and incorrect height and depth of the chair caused the man to feel uncomfortable while seating on it. The man had to adjust the chair to meet his comfort and expected height.
-The monitor screen was too far away, resulting in the man straining his eyes to try to read the words on the monitor screen.
-The non-adjustable lamps give off very bright lights, that caused the man to feel uncomfortable. It causes the man to have difficulties doing his work and using the computer.
-The chair restricts the movement of the man, therefore the amount of space that the man can move is limited.
-The man had to adjust his laptop to the right position that enables him to read comfortably and work easily.
-The man does not have usable desk space for him to place his things. This problem would arise when there are either too many things on the desk, or the desk is very messy and untidy.

The second workplace (on the right)
-Comfortable chair which provides the man to adjust the expected height and depth allows the man to feel comfortable and relaxed.
-The adjustable monitor screen allows the man to adjust the distance between the monitor screen and him.
-The lamp is adjustable, so the man is able to control the direction of the light and the lighting is good.
-The chair allows the man to move freely and comfortably without restricting his movements.
-The laptop holder enables the man to adjust the laptop to his preferred height, so that he can be comfortable.
-The man desk is very neat and tidy, enabling him to have usable desk space for other things.

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

The second workplace (on the right) is preferred. The second workplace allows the man to work at ease and to work comfortably. It does not hinder the progress of the work unlike the first workplace (on the left).

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

-Comfort
-Simplicity
-Convenient

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

They are factors that we have to take note of when designing a product to attract people to buy our product. It also allows us to design something that would meet the customers' needs.


Model Answer