ADMT-Elderly challenge_Reflection

Reflection

What have you learnt?

I learnt how to generate and analyse ideas through critical thinking and how to manage the schedule of multiple parts of the task. Like organising the dates so I can do the prototype, the multimedia presentation or the journal. I learnt how to organise the information inside the journal and what information to include in it. I found out where can I go and find the materials I need for my prototype.

What difficulties have I encountered?

I was not sure how to make the prototype show the product’s function the way I want it to. I was not sure what to include in the ADMT journal. I did not know what type of media to use in the multimedia presentation.

How did I overcome the difficulties I have encountered?

I realised I cannot mimic the full-scale, actual product’s design so I improvised and just made the look of what happens when the product is activated. I listened to what Ms Seah said and put whatever information that was required into the journal. I thought for some time on what type of media to use in the multimedia presentation and decided to make a simple advertisement as it is more attractive, more memorable, more interesting and it is easier for them to understand the explanation of the product.

Reflection - Prototype

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

It was difficult sometimes to differentiate which is qualitative and quantitative. Figuring out what exactly is to be done is also a problem as I sometimes get confused with what we are supposed to do.

2. How do you overcome the difficulties encountered?

We just discussed a lot so we can come up with the ideas and subsequently, arrange them in a logical manner to present to the class.

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

First, we must be detailed in our description of the situation. Second, we must understand how to differentiate what is qualitative and what is quantitative.

Ergonomics (Product description and Idea Trigger)

i) It is multi-functional and simple as it can be used to brush things and peel skins. It is simple as you can see from the picture above so people will easily know how to use the brush. The grip of the brush is not good enough.

ii) They must think of whether it is user-friendly, how can it be stored, and whether the design is able to perform all its functions properly.

iii) No.

iv) The grip can be made better by designing the surface of the handle to follow the contours of the hand, together with the corrugation, it would be very easy to grip.

(the sketch of the improved version of the brush is above)

Ergonomics II

1. What is Ergonomics?

The scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance.

2. What are the 5 aspects of Ergonomics?

They are safety, aesthetics, comfort, ease of use and 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: E.g. Alarm clock display — some displays are harshly bright, drawing one’s eye to the light or keeping one awake when surroundings are dark. Ergonomic principles could redesign this based on contrast principles and include automatic dimming functions in low-light environments (such as when a user has turned off the room lights to sleep).

Ease of use: E.g. Street Signs — in an unfamiliar area, it can be quite difficult to spot street signs. This could be addressed by using principles of visual detection to make street signs more visible.

Productivity/performance: E.g. Office furniture/equipment — the use of ergonomically designed office furniture and equipment such as office chairs and computer input devices can drastically reduce work-related injuries and employee absences.

Aesthetics: E.g. Signs in the workplace — signage could be made more aesthetic by using a consistent format throughout the workplace.

Safety: E.g. Medicine bottles — print sizes could be enlarged so the elderly with impaired vision (due to sinus problems, for example) can more easily read the label instructions. Ergonomics can discover the optimum font style, color and size to enhance readability using the limited space available on a medicine label. This will prevent the elderly from taking the wrong medicine and becoming even more ill.

Acknowledgement:

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

Ergonomics I

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

The second workplace is more comfortable and simple so the person can work better. If the place is simple, it will be easier for the person to find his things as he may need to find certain things to carry out a certain task. If the workplace is more comfortable, the person will also be able to concentrate better on his work. In the video, the person’s chair is not very well designed so he cannot maintain his posture and cannot concentrate on his work. The lighting is also not very good and has a similar bad effect on him.

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

The second workplace. People will want to work in a more comfortable workplace as it will mean reduced stress and he will be more happy working as he will often have to sit at the workplace which can dramatically affect the person’s mood. The tidy work place is very well organised. There are a lot of free space on the desk top. The guy had no trouble working. With proper adjustable lighting, monitor screen and chair. The working environment is ideal. The guy is able to work comfortably. The specially designed chair is more ergonomic than normal ones as it can accommodate to the user’s desired comfort.

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

Lighting, desk space, the design of the chair, the position of the computer, a room specially designed for its purpose.

Ergonomic:

-Comfort

-Aesthetics

-Safety

Elderly Challenge - Observation 4

I observed that many elderly people have difficulty hearing, thus it is very dangerous and risky when they go outdoors. One such example is that they cannot here cars on the road easily, increasing the possibility of an accident. They need others to be around them or hearing aids to alert them of dangers. This also makes communication troublesome and slow as the person speaking to the elderly may have to repeat what he said for the elderly to hear and understand what he is saying more clearly.

Acknowledgement:

http://www.whcenter.org/body.cfm?id=557038

Elderly Challenge - Observation 3

I observed that many elderly people have difficulty in getting out of bed as they are not as fit as they used to be. They have to either rely on someone else to help them or go through the trouble of accomplishing the task. Therefore, I came up with a design for the interior of homes (refer to holiday homework 3) to help the elderly get out of bed without the help of another person so when no one is around to help, the elderly can get themselves out of bed with ease.

As you can see, the bed is elevated high above the floor so the elderly can get seriously injured if they fall while trying to get out of bed and that since the side of the bed that we sleep on is horizontal, the elderly will have a difficult time getting out of bed as they have to lift up their upper body for a relatively large degree first.