#1. What have you learnt?
The elderly face a lot of problems in their daily lives that we do not really bother to notice. Almost every one of these problems can be solved with the help of innovators. I also learnt that it is easier and yet more difficult to work in a group rather than individually. It is easier as more creative ideas would be suggested and the final product will be a much better product than creating a product individually. However, it s more difficult because as a group, we would have to collaborate and work together. We would also need to communicate with each other.
#2. What are the difficulties encountered?
Some ideas I came up with are made of materials which are difficult to find.
#3. How did you overcome the difficulties?
I thought of other materials to replace those materials and also came up with other ideas that is made of materials which are easier to find.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Reflection - Prototype
1. What are the difficulties that you have encountered during the process?
It was difficult for me to come up with the design considerations and come up with a product idea that suits the design considerations.
2. How do you overcome the difficulties encountered?
I asked some of my friends for their opinions. I also did research to find existing products to see if I can work on them.
3. What are the 2 key takeaways for this lesson?
I learnt about the purpose and need for a protoype and we have to be quite detailed about our product idea.
It was difficult for me to come up with the design considerations and come up with a product idea that suits the design considerations.
2. How do you overcome the difficulties encountered?
I asked some of my friends for their opinions. I also did research to find existing products to see if I can work on them.
3. What are the 2 key takeaways for this lesson?
I learnt about the purpose and need for a protoype and we have to be quite detailed about our product idea.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Ergonomics (Product description and Idea Trigger)
Product:
i) Describe the product. (Appearance, Color, Function, etc)
- red and grey
- water droplet-like shape
- red part made with rubber and grey part made with plastic surrounding a hole.
- Used as a door stopper.
ii) What are the design considerations when designing this product?
- easy to grip
- If the people can easily use this product
- Comfortable grip
iii) Would an elderly faced difficulty using this product? If yes, what are the difficulties that the elderly would face?
An elderly may face difficulty using this product. They would have to bend down to place the door stopper (product) to stop the door. They may face difficulty when bending down and/or standing up. Plus, they cannot use their legs to place this door stopper because of its design.
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 elderly can use their legs to slide this door stopper under the door. So, they do not have to bend down. Plus, there is a hole in this product to allow the elderly to hold it.
i) Describe the product. (Appearance, Color, Function, etc)
- red and grey
- water droplet-like shape
- red part made with rubber and grey part made with plastic surrounding a hole.
- Used as a door stopper.
ii) What are the design considerations when designing this product?
- easy to grip
- If the people can easily use this product
- Comfortable grip
iii) Would an elderly faced difficulty using this product? If yes, what are the difficulties that the elderly would face?
An elderly may face difficulty using this product. They would have to bend down to place the door stopper (product) to stop the door. They may face difficulty when bending down and/or standing up. Plus, they cannot use their legs to place this door stopper because of its design.
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 elderly can use their legs to slide this door stopper under the door. So, they do not have to bend down. Plus, there is a hole in this product to allow the elderly to hold it.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Ergonomic 2
1. What is Ergonomics?
It is the study of people's efficiency in their working environment. (source: mac dictionary)
2. What are the 5 aspects of Ergonomics?
The 5 aspects are safety, comfort, ease of use, productivity/performance and 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: Railings. The elderly can hold on to these railings to support them as they climb up to the stairs etc.
Comfort: Wheelchairs. The elderly can use this to help them move around while sitting on a comfortable seat.
Ease of use: Gentle slopes. The elderly can easily walk up these gentle slopes instead of walking up steep slopes or stairs which is more difficult for them.
Productivity/performance: Walking sticks. The elderly can use these walking sticks as a support if there are no railings. These walking sticks are also made up of a strong material which can withstand the force applied on it.
Aesthetics: Signage could be made more aesthetic by using a consistent format throughout the workplace.
It is the study of people's efficiency in their working environment. (source: mac dictionary)
2. What are the 5 aspects of Ergonomics?
The 5 aspects are safety, comfort, ease of use, productivity/performance and 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: Railings. The elderly can hold on to these railings to support them as they climb up to the stairs etc.
Comfort: Wheelchairs. The elderly can use this to help them move around while sitting on a comfortable seat.
Ease of use: Gentle slopes. The elderly can easily walk up these gentle slopes instead of walking up steep slopes or stairs which is more difficult for them.
Productivity/performance: Walking sticks. The elderly can use these walking sticks as a support if there are no railings. These walking sticks are also made up of a strong material which can withstand the force applied on it.
Aesthetics: Signage could be made more aesthetic by using a consistent format throughout the workplace.
Ergonomics 1
1. Compare the 2 different workplaces, state your observations.
Workplace 1 is messy and difficult for one to do his/her work. In this workplace, the computer is too far away from the person working and the font is too small for him/her to read. The lighting is also either too bright or too dim. The chair is also uncomfortable and there is too many things on the table which causes lack of space to do more things. However, workplace 2 is neater and it is easier for one to work. The computer is at a distance where the font would not be too small or too big. The lighting is also not too bright or too dim. Plus, the chair is comfortable.
2. Which workplace is preferred? State with reasons why one workplace is preferred over the other.
The preferred workplace is workplace 2. As compared to workplace 1, workplace 2 is more efficient and more work could be done easily in workplace 2.
3. What are the considerations that should be taken into account when designing a workplace that is suitable for the user?
The table should be designed with shelves to put some things to make the table less "crowded". The lighting should be just right, not too bright and also not too dim. The computer screen should be one arm length away from one's eyes. The chair should also be comfortable for one to work. But the chair should not be too comfortable or else, he/she may feel too relaxed.
4. Why do you think that Ergonomics is important when designing?
It is the study of people's efficiency in their working environment. It helps the designer consider what is suitable in a good working environment.
Workplace 1 is messy and difficult for one to do his/her work. In this workplace, the computer is too far away from the person working and the font is too small for him/her to read. The lighting is also either too bright or too dim. The chair is also uncomfortable and there is too many things on the table which causes lack of space to do more things. However, workplace 2 is neater and it is easier for one to work. The computer is at a distance where the font would not be too small or too big. The lighting is also not too bright or too dim. Plus, the chair is comfortable.
2. Which workplace is preferred? State with reasons why one workplace is preferred over the other.
The preferred workplace is workplace 2. As compared to workplace 1, workplace 2 is more efficient and more work could be done easily in workplace 2.
3. What are the considerations that should be taken into account when designing a workplace that is suitable for the user?
The table should be designed with shelves to put some things to make the table less "crowded". The lighting should be just right, not too bright and also not too dim. The computer screen should be one arm length away from one's eyes. The chair should also be comfortable for one to work. But the chair should not be too comfortable or else, he/she may feel too relaxed.
4. Why do you think that Ergonomics is important when designing?
It is the study of people's efficiency in their working environment. It helps the designer consider what is suitable in a good working environment.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Elderly Challenge - Observation 4
For the past week, I have been observing the elderly in the hawker centre and wet market in the Telok Blangah Mall. Unfortunately, I am not permitted to take any photos. Hence, I cannot show any pictures of the elderly in hawker centre and wet market. The hawker centre and wet market are quite cram. The place is usually quite wet and as the hawker centre and wet market are not fully sheltered, when it rains, the whole place would be very wet and slippery. Sometimes, it may even be flooded. The following are the good and bad points of the hawker centre and wet market.
As the hawker centre and wet market are usually wet and slippery, it is easy for the elderly to trip and fall. In addition, most people do not bother to help the elderly even if they fall. And sometimes in the hawker centre and wet market, there are children running around the place. This may make the elderly fall more often.
However, there are several parts of the hawker centre that are more elderly friendly. There are handles and railings around those areas which allows the elderly to move around easily. The spaces between the chairs at those areas are also further apart so the the elderly or the handicapped can sit in their wheelchairs when eating with their friends or family, and do not have to get off and on it over and over again which makes it less difficult for them.
As the hawker centre and wet market are usually wet and slippery, it is easy for the elderly to trip and fall. In addition, most people do not bother to help the elderly even if they fall. And sometimes in the hawker centre and wet market, there are children running around the place. This may make the elderly fall more often.
However, there are several parts of the hawker centre that are more elderly friendly. There are handles and railings around those areas which allows the elderly to move around easily. The spaces between the chairs at those areas are also further apart so the the elderly or the handicapped can sit in their wheelchairs when eating with their friends or family, and do not have to get off and on it over and over again which makes it less difficult for them.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Simple Room Design for the Elderly
This picture shows the room I have designed that is more elderly-friendly. Like most rooms, there is a table, a chair, a cupboard and a bed. A television and sofa is also included in this room. Unlike most rooms, this room has red buttons, railings and a carpet. The red button is for emergency use, for example, the elderly in this room needs help. He or she will then press this button and volunteers or nurses would come in to help them. The railings are for support, so it is easier for the elderly to move around the room. And the carpet has a slightly rough surface and it is also quite thick. The rough surface is so that the elderly would not slip and fall easily. The thickness of the carpet is so that it would be quite soft, so even if the elderly falls, it would not cause much impact to them.
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