Reflection - Prototype

1. What are the difficulties that you have encountered during the process?

I did not realized that the purpose of building a prototype is to test the product out, so I did not thought of how to use the prototype to gather data to prove that the product works. I also have problem deciding on which kind of testing should I use for which design considerations.

2. How do you overcome the difficulties encountered?

I spent more time to think about how I could use the prototype to prove that the idea works, how to collect the data. I consider the pros and cons of using the type of testing for each considerations and figure out which will ended up with a data that will benefit me more.

3. What are the 2 key takeaways for this lesson?

I learnt that we should always know the purpose of doing a task and not just blindly follow instructions. For any issues, we should look at both sides of it.

Sketch Pracs (1)

Sketch Up Pracs (2)

Ergonomics (Product description and Idea Trigger)

Describe the product. (Appearance, Color, Function, etc)

The product is white in color. It is used to clean the stove. The brush made of copper is to clean the oil stain around the stain while the retractable knife is to remove the dirt then block the hole that the fire come out from. The knife is jagged.There is a hole for the user to hook it to a hook.

What are the design considerations when designing this product?

The design considerations are that it should be durable and can be use for a long period of time. It should always remove oil stains and dirt around the stove easily.

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

The elderly will faced difficultly retracting the knife as there is much friction between the knife and the place where the knife originally is is. They cannot grip it will as the product is not designed for better grip. It should be modified to make it safe for the elderly. The elderly could have accidentally cut themselves due to the knife.

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

A cloth will ve use to cover the knife and also absorb the sweats of the user so that it will not slips out of his hands. The cloth will also give a better grip as it has texture. Velcro will be used so that the elderly can remove the cloth easily when they want to use the knife. The knife can be slide in and out ( Penknife concept).

Ergonomics II

What is Ergonomics?

Ergonomics is the study of the work.

What are the 5 aspects of Ergonomics?

• Safety
• Comfort
• Ease of Use
• Productivity / Performance
• Aesthetics

Source: http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Ergonomics

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.

• The Couch Cane - Help a elderly to stand up from a couch or a chair to prevent falls (safety)

• Easi-Grip Arm Support Cuff - Help those elderly with weak hands and wrists as the easy-grip towel, etc (others products from the same company) (Comfort)

• Tek-Pal Simple TV Remote Control - A remote control which is palm-sized with large lighted buttons for elderlys with low visions (Ease of Use)

• Pill Organizers - Minimize the stress and the possibility of medications errors by sounding an alarm to remind elderly to take his medications (Productivity / Performance)

• Instructions on Medicine Bottles - Increase the font to enable the elderly to see the instructions clearly

For More Information about the Products mentioned:

• The Couch Cane
• Easi-Grip Arm Support Cuff
• Tek-Pal SImple TV Remote Control
• Pill Organizers

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

Ergonomics I

1.Compare the 2 different workplaces, state your observations. (Man A is the person in the workplace at the left, Man B is the person in the workplace at the right)

Man A is keep on fidgeting when he is working in his workplace which shown that he is not comfortable. Man A cannot adjust his chair into a suitable height. Man A also has difficulties figuring out the image on his screen as it is to far away from him. Man A could not adjust his task lighting as it is too warm to be touch and it will be too bright if he switch on another lighting. Man A does not have the freedom to move in his workplace, the armrest of his chair is blocking his way. Man A displayed discomfort of using the laptop for a long period of time, causing his neck to ache as the laptop is at a very low level. Man A does not have sufficient space to place all his stuff on his desk. In the end, he placed his keyboard on his cup.

Man B could adjust his chair to a height he wanted and lean back in his chair comfortably. Man B could also adjust the position of his monitor to his comfort. Man B could adjust his task lighting to bright up a certain place he wanted, for example the hard copy document. Man B could adjust his armrest up to rest his arms and adjust his armrest back to its original position if he want to have the freedom of movements. The laptop holder enable Man B to adjust the position of his laptop screen so that his neck will not ache. The access rail have all the stuff of Man B, such as the task lightnings, monitor screen "attached' to it. The desk of Man B is more tidy in this way.

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

Man B's workplace is preferred. Working in Man B’s workplace is more comfortable than working in Man A’s workplace. Man B’s workplace allows Man B to move in his workplace freely, have usable desk space, etc but not Man A’s workplace.

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

We should consider whether is it comfortable and user-friendly for the user if he work for long periods of time at his workplace. For example, the user must have the freedom of movement or he will be numb sitting at his seat for prolonged period. The design of the workplace should allow to have usable desk space too.

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

Ergonomics is important when designing as the standards of living has increase. People now want to work in a more comfortable work place and Ergonomics is needed to design equipments and furnitures to fit the users’ needs, such as to prevent aches, so that they will buy it.