Ergonomic Design

Changes in technology are changing rapidly and so is ergonomic design. It is changing for type of needs and lifestyle of the person. Ergonomic design applies findings from the study of anthropometrics to the design of objects. It is the analysis of the relationship between the human form and the products, systems and environments. It works in harmony with the human body creating a better performance and more user-friendly with safer solutions that are easier to maintain. You can find a product for an aesthetic look only and you can find a product for an aesthetic look but it’s more user-friendly.  

One great example is the Vertebra armchair by Emilio Ambasz. It was created in 1976 in which is a rare example of an ergonomic solution for seating. The Vertebra seating system provides chair design to meet the particular needs of the person. This chair provides the maximum support one can have. It is generously proportioned, seat and back are upholstered in soft polyurethane which is extended to the edges in order to minimize pressure that otherwise will interfere blood circulation. The Vertebra chair has unique features that enable the seat and back to move automatically and independently to maintain correct support for any person and any type of sitting posture.

Vertebra Chair

Another example is the Boomer which is a mobility aid designed by Daniel Molloy, a student of Monash University. Boomer is emphasizing most on the safety and aims to decrease the risk of stair falls which is a major public health concern among the elderly community. The design key innovation is the stair compatible function to allow mobility aid by transforming from simple walker into a gadget that facilitates the user to go up and down on the stairs easily and safely. The Boomer mobility aid has a modern, organic, user-friendly form and aims to create a new modern aesthetic for elderly mobility aids.

Today designers do not only think for that aesthetic look only but for the needs or disabilities of the person. 

References:

• Archiproducts, N.D. Vertebra [online] available at: http://www.archiproducts.com/en/products/34860/recliner-task-chair-with-armrests-vertebra-castelli.html [accessed on 26th January, 2014]

• Truvie, 2014. Boomer: A User Friendly Walking Aid for Elderly People [online] available at: http://www.tuvie.com/boomer-a-user-friendly-walking-aid-for-eldery-people/ [accessed on 26th January, 2014]