21 ERGONOMIC FACTORS IN FURNITURE DESIGN

Sarasvathi. V

Introduction

This topic emphasizes on the need of application of ergonomic factors in the developing process of the products as a manner to make sure that the objects and systems will be adequate at the most to the user’s characteristics and needs, contributing, so far, to the improvement in the relation between products and users. Ergonomics and usability are discussed and the requirement level in which the rules are treated, as well as the gap that there is in relation to the desirable approach, in view of the respect to the user and also to the environment. Ergonomics is a scientific discipline, which is concerned with improving the productivity, health, safety and comfort of people, as well as promoting effective interaction among people, technology and the environment in which both must operate.

Ergonomic factors in furniture design

Intention of providing scientific information about human variability and adaptability to the design process is described by two terminologies, namely Ergonomics (also known as Human Factors) is a scientific discipline, which is concerned with improving the productivity, health, safety and comfort of people, as well as promoting effective interaction among people, technology and the environment in which both must operate. Anthropometrics provides information about human body size and shape. As an article of furniture is hardly ever used by only one individual, most furniture must provide room for variations of a wide range of end users.

Purpose

Ergonomic furniture should be designed to facilitate

task performance,
minimize fatigue and
injury by fitting equipment to the body size,
strength and range of motion of the user.

Design objectives

–should support humans to achieve the operational objectives human-centered design.

1. Enhance human abilities

2. Overcome human limitations

3. Foster user acceptance

How will this furniture be used ( function )
What size will you make it ( proportion)
Who will use it ( customize)
Where will it be placed ( location)
What should it look like ( style)
What visual impact should it have ( to complement or contrast the surrounding furniture)
Is it to be a focal piece or to blend in with surroundings
Should it enclose (hide) or showcase its contents

To achieve objectives- key elements of ergonomics in the office to consider.

Equipment – video display terminals
Software design – system design and screen design or greater usability
Workstation design – chairs, work surfaces and accessories Environment – space planning, use of colors, lighting, caustics, air quality and thermal factors
Training – preparing workers to deal with technology Recommendations

ERGONOMIC DESIGN GUIDELINES

Design for a straight- forward facing posture
Design for a upright posture
Keep the activity of the joints around the midpoints of their range of motion
Keep the hands below the shoulder level
Allow the shorter person to reach and the taller person to fit

Furniture Harmony and Human Factors

Harmonious and aesthetically pleasing combinations of furniture are the result of a selection process that may be partially intuitive but also ways on an understanding of styles, themes, and pieces that have classic quality.

Many people find selecting furniture a bewildering task, manufacturers have always made matched set or “suites” of furniture. For example, they produce bedroom set with dresses, nightstands, chests of draws, headboard, armories, and mirrors with matching details, woods and styling. This is an easy solution for those who lack the confidence to choose, but as styling principles of design, harmony is made up of unity and variety.

Function

The first consideration in selecting individual pieces of furniture and built-in fittings and fixtures for an environment and the task they will perform in the environment. It is important to be familiar with all of this function so that furniture and fittings can be designed or selected to enhance the desire function. For a example, soft, deep, low seating pieces for casual television viewing and music listening are very different from the kinds of seating one might choose for work at a sewing machine or computer.

Anthropometric and ergonomics in furniture

Anthropometrics are human physical dimensions, including height, weight, and volume. Ergonomics, or biotechnology, is study of human relationship to the furniture and products that fill our environments. The human form, its dimension, and its need for movement are the bases for functional and comfortable furniture design.

The ideas of comfort and function are often linked to culture. Ex people in parts of Asia and South America learn form childhood to sit on their haunches in squatting fashion.

Regardless the cultural influences, the best measure of function and comfort are the human form. Ideally furniture should be scaled to the average human. Most design is keyed to an average set of dimensions. These average measurements will not be optimum for everyone but will likely cause less inconvenience then would be the case if furniture, sittings, and fixtures were designed for the very short or very tall. Personal environments can be custom designed to the dimensions of extreme individual sizes, and where possible, this should be an important goal of the design.

Furniture types

Systems furniture

To meet the challenge of the flexibility created by complex and changing needs, particularly in nonresidential design, product designers developed systems furniture, manufactured in modules. That can be assembled and reassembled in different configurations. The space created may be open, private, semiprivate or a combination. The modules might consist of full or partial- height panels or divided units to which coat racks, filling cabinets, book cases, storage pins, writing surfaces, computer stations etc.

The system can be integrated with free standing furniture components. These system contain all the wiring for task lighting, ambient lighting, telephones, etc. the system designed for laboratories even provide flexible plumbing connections.

The inflexibility and permanence of wall construction is eliminated by the use of modular dividers and components that define space in much the same way as conventional walls. This modules also allow, with very little effect or disturbance, uses to reclaim and used space or space whose designed function has changed. Because of their wide use, manufactures find it worthwhile to invest in the aesthetic design of modular components: the result is exciting lines of systems furniture with great appeal as well as utility.

Ergonomic Super chairs

In work station many people are seated. In order to be functional, seating must offer sustained comfort. Consequently, research has led to the design of highly flexible seating pieces. The self-adjusting chairs are designed to sustain and support the human form and to accommodate the body which is constantly shifting and changing.

The chairs absorb the shock of sitting down and support the body in an upright position until the user decides to learn back. When reclining, the chair shifts to transfer body weight from the buttocks to the back, legs, and thighs.

The feet remain on the floor as the user tips back, and the back of the chair flexes to provide constant support for the lumbar area. This result is sustained comfort, reduced physical strain, and less muscle fatigue in the lower back. The comfort is a boon to productivity and satisfaction.

Custom designs

Design projects include needs and functions that require specialized fittings and furniture that may not be available from manufactures. Such pieces can be designed and built to exact specifications.

For ex a restaurant design may include a long padded bench against a wall, intended for seating with a series of tables. Such pieces must be custom designed and built for a particular set of dimensions- they cannot be ordered from a catalog.

This design help establish a distinctive look for a unique set of requirements.

Nonresidential consideration

Ergonomics

Unlike residential work, in which designer often knows the users and can cater to individual body sizes and types, non residential design entails the ergonomic challenge of selecting furniture for a continually changing group of users whom the designer has never seen. In many interiors a profile of the typical, or target user can be created from demographic information supplied by the client. For ex target users in a fine restaurant will be different from those in a sporting goods store or a pediatrician’s office.

While individual patrons and employees will change their statistical similarities in age, height, weight, physical condition, and special needs will remain fairly constant. The designer’s goal is to select furnishings of the right height, shape, and feel to satisfy the user.

The ergonomics of furniture selection are governed by the interests of the client rather than those of the users. The seating in fast food restaurant, airports, and shopping malls is somewhat uncomfortable. The furniture in a nonresidential interior visually be less comfortable than the residential one. Hotel lobbies, restaurants, and retail stores may utilize elaborately decorative, even outrageous furniture to evoke a memorable impression during the short time the target user in present.

Durability: Patterns, lightly textured surfaces, and medium-dark colors camouflage dirt and scratches better than solids, smooth surfaces, and light colors.

Materials and finishes should be suitable for through cleaning with detergents or other solvents. Drawer pulls, cabinet handles, and other operational parts should be chosen with the first time user in mind. If the method of operation is not evident at first glance, some users will inevitably misuse the piece and manage it.

Quality and construction methods are worth the investment. Many manufactures describe their merchandise as suitable for both home institutional setting, but the designer should evaluate it according to the planned use before accepting this generalization.

Cabinets in nonresidential interiors are often custom made. Even on a modest per unit budget, custom-designed may be option if the project calls for enough units to create an economy of scale.

The designer should read any warranties in advance to make sure that they cover nonresidential use.

Furniture design standards

Standards apply primarily to the relational design and in a more subjective way, to the style and the aesthetic qualities which are all elements of design.

To perhaps Charles Eames’s thoughts design is the act of combining parts of selected materials, well-proportioned to the piece and the use, forming a cohesive whole.

PARTS: Combine parts, pieces, forms and shapes for the use and user in the style, size and proportions that, when brought together; meet the defined functional aesthetic and structural objectives.
MATERIALS: the selected organic or processed materials should be suitable for traditional design, or take the medium to the limit in application and expression.
USE: The intended can be actively functional to a task, such as sitting in relaxation, while dining, at work or at play, or visually functional, in that its only relationship with the user is reviewer admiration, appreciation and pleasure, providing a prominent object, storage or display.
THE WOLE: Should be the cohesive unit, comprising parts fashioned from efficiently utilized and effective materials which are singly pleasing and singularly assembled into a lasting union to satisfy the designer’s objectives.

Standards differ with the culture and stature of the group and what that group may be accustomed to what is acceptable, fashionable, and worthy of our purchase and deserving to be part of our surroundings.

Certain standards have been adopted for furniture. Heights of a dining table, its accompanying chairs, and the clearance between the table apron and the seated figure should be comfortable distance for dining, crossing legs, or whatever else may go on under the table.

The optimum height of a desk chair is the height that is comfortable at seat level and its position to relative to a computer keyboard and typewriter and the writing surface. The standards are reflected in manufactured parts such as 27”cabriole or turned legs for dining table height, or an assortment of 12” legs for a coffee table.

Consider the Environs

Compatible furniture

Compatible furniture can be whatever pleases in individual taste or design sense. Design a mass that is visually capable of fulfilling its task, whatever it is a chest on chest, a libraryladder or a buffet/side boar. Its size, scale and style are part of the design and each individually and collectively contributes to the design.

At the outside, realize the need may arise to compromise the size selected for the user (ergonomics) and the location (environs). If adobe is small bungalow or condominium, an upstairs flat or studio apartment, the entire scale of furniture might be cranked down a notch, not only to allow maneuvering with in the room it occupies, but to achieve a better visual balance of furniture with it surroundings.

Style

First spark of an idea, style want to build. Its to complement existing furnishings or accent a contemporary setting with the period piece. Setting is all contemporary and wants to go a bit off the wall, either harmonizing or contrasting with the surroundings.

Design in the mind:

1. Period

2. Contemporary

3. Off the wall

4. In harmony with surroundings

5. In contrast with surroundings

Consider the role of picture frame. It should complement, not compare with, the painting it surrounds. With the respect of finishes, monochromatic color scheme might be effective in some settings and monotonous in others. Extremes the good design qualities.

Study the location

There is the ceiling in dwelling are 8’ off the floor. And odds are that more square footage is allocated to the living area than to the kitchen, and master bed room is very large other than area.

Furniture scale remains about the same from room to room, but quantity varies by living area based on access, activity, room size and traffic pattern.

Be sure to consider the wall openings doors and window. Door or archway size differs with the purpose and prominence of the room and style of the architect. Wall space is interrupted by window or two. While these openings also provide natural light and ventilation, they represent prominent design elements with their own character and form, and devour usable wall space.

Furniture heights and their relationship in a lineup, with a fairly standards 32”x80” or 32”x84” doorway and a 3’x4’ window set 40” off the floor.

Environs

Whether the furniture design will complement or contrast its setting, its new location could have some positive influence on the design.

Other attributes are

o Architectural style

o Colors

o Furniture style

o Textures

o Lighting

o Square footage

o Volume

o Heights

Ceiling
Wainscot

o Windows

Quantity
Area
Sill bights

o Wall space

Functional factor

Design process includes asking if it will fit under a window and still be high enough to use for its intended purpose. Moldings and window heights to arrive at the optimal height.

Aesthetic quality

Include a piece pleasing in proportion and design detail with some relationship, whether in harmony or countered design with its surroundings.

Furniture heights will vary by function and location.

In living room, the coffee, occasional and end tables are typically low, to be reached when hunkered down on a cushy coach.

Dining table heights should be designed close to expected heights, suitable, for comfortable dining, writing or game playing.

In a great room or family room, anything goes causal.

In a bed room, the most prominent piece of furniture is obviously the bed, so its height should influence the design of beside tables, side chairs, vanity, valet, armoire and blanket chest. And a new head and footboard should be designed to a height and proportion based on bed height and the style of the addition.

For the home office, apply some “away from home” office standards based on industrial engineering’s studies on efficiency, fatigue, and safety. Library table in the CEO’s desk and butcher block table the accounts receivable department. Design the heights and proportions to meet or balance any of our dual-use objectives.

Standard furniture heights by room (inches)

Customize for target user

Leonardo Vinci’s drawings of the human form is possibly the best known depiction of human proportions. The human form is an efficient machine, but has limited movement in both range and motion, which vary by height and whether seated or standing. When designing a piece of furniture, start with the standard, or average, the adapt to intended users.

Exceptions would be children’s furniture, where scale is substantially reduced, or specialized furniture for the physically disadvantaged. For ex all standard height recommendations and position the keyboard at the height where the operator can type, or place the work surface at the height where the artist or sculptor can work. This presents a whole set of design problems, but the solutions are most rewarding.

When designing the piece for a target range, remember that very tall people adjust to subscale furnishings, a shorter than average people are accustomed to up-sized furniture.

Furniture for women is built for the majority who range between 5’2” and 5’8” and 6’2”.for the unisex furniture, the average used in the 5’8” range.

The custom-furniture builder have a unique advantage in making the piece truly custom-tailored to the user’s stature. But when designing the masses, a “one sizes fit all “ design approach must be taken to accommodate 90%of the population.

The role of furniture designers in trying to accommodate the range of size, shapes, and lengths for different target populations.

Measurement data for a complete range of stature include:

o Eye level, standing seated

o Mid shoulder height seated erect

o Shoulder breath

o Elbow- to- elbow breath

o Hip breath

o Waist height

o Elbow rest height

o Thigh clearance

o Knee height

o Buttock knee length

o Buttock too length

o Buttock heel length

o Vertical reach-sitting

o Vertical grip reach

o Side arm reach

o Maximum body depth and breath

o Weight by height

Seated work

Standing work

Webster says:

Proportion is the relation of one part to another or to the whole with respect to magnitude, quantity or degree: ratio.

• Furniture design, with aesthetics, proportion and symmetry all being considered.

• The height to width to depth ratio for your furniture design is factors which form the design proportions.

• Coffee Table – 1:3:2 Armoire – 3:2:1 Dining Table – 2:4:3

Curio Cabinet – 2:1:1

End Table – 1:2:1

Office furnishings-have adjustable components that enable the user to modify the workstation to accommodate different physical dimensions and the requirements of the job.

• Ergonomically designed furniture can

• Reduce pain and injury,

• Increase productivity,

• Improve morale, and

• Decrease complaints

Office furniture guideline

The seat height should allow the user’s feet to be comfortably supported by the floor or a proper footrest.

Seat Depth

Seat depth should be deep enough so that the region behind the knees (also referred to as the popliteal area) is not hitting the front of the seat. Two ways to prevent

Popliteal contact are:

1. Fixing the overall depth of the chair

2. Creating a depth adjustment

Adjusting the seat depth on a chair should be a natural motion that does not strain the user. Separating the armrests from the moveable seat can allow the armrests to be used as leverage for easily changing the seat depth while seated.

The controls for seat depth movement should be intuitive and easy to use, and not require excessive bending to reach. For example, a seat adjustment control like those found in automobiles could help achieve this simplicity.

Seat Width

The seat should be wide enough to accommodate a user’s hips and clothing, and comfortably allow use of the armrests.

Backrest

The seat back should conform to the contour of the person’s spine and give support to the back to alleviate stress on back muscles while seated. Generally, it should be high enough to reach the shoulder blades, wide enough to support the waist

Seat Width

The seat should be wide enough to accommodate a user’s hips and clothing, and comfortably allow use of the armrests.

Backrest

Chair Range of Motion

The seat and backrest should allow for varied seated postures. This can be accomplished by allowing a rearward tilt of the back. A minimum 10o rearward tilt (between 90o and 115o) is preferable. Some chairs also allow the seat to tilt at the same time. The only guidelines for seat tilt measurement is to ensure thetorso-to-thigh angle is not less than 90o, and that the seat angle is between 0-4o reward tilt.

Armrests

Armrests help relieve neck, shoulder, and back stress. Armrests can provide good surface area for the arm to contact so that pressure between an arm and armrest is minimized. The armrests should be adjustable up and down, as well as in and out. This allows for more customization and better control of comfort.

Chair Controls

The controls are important, but the fewer and more intuitive they are, the better it can be for the user. A round knob usually means that it should be turned. A flat lever usually means it should be pulled or pushed. Some controls are also easier for individuals with disabilities to use than others.

Graphic icons could be placed on the controls to show the user how to operate each lever or device. Images, rather than text, for instructions can prevent the need to translate instructions when selling products in different countries. In addition, it can be a quicker and easier way to communicate.

The tension in the controls should allow for minimal user effort to activate them. Controls should also be easy to reach and visible to the user

Conclusion:

Considering industrial production, today, it’s impossible to conceive production idea without ergonomics and norms application, in view of the need of establishing standards in production, as a way to maintain fitness and optimize gained results, guaranteeing products’ quality and function ability. However, current market competitiveness demands a higher development of differentials. Ergonomics comes as a value to be explored, and would also add efforts to guarantee accessibility rights. Then, furniture design associated to technical norms and to ergonomics collaborates to the relations of these products usability through manufacture optimization and products usage facility. Related to the environment, application of ergonomic and technical factors helps to reduce the waste and to increase the products’ life cycle. Furniture design may place on the user’s motions, the bodies capacity to function in cramped or awkward quarters is bondless. Duplicating the actions of extending, rotating, grasping, lifting and carrying requires masterfully engineered hinges, pins, balls, and sockets driven by hydraulic or mechanical “muscles” activated by electrical power and controlled by programmed motors sensors .

The physiological of the upper body, specifically the opposable thumb, dexterous fingers, articulating wrists, tensional rotating forearm, bendable elbow, movable shoulder, rotating torso and articulating spine-the whole “ dis bone connected to da…”routine is capable of a multitude of tasks, which eases the furniture design process.

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Web links

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/aesthetic
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropometry
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/dimension
www.dictionary.com/browse/durability
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/ergonomics
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/fatigue
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/harmony
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/measurement https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/posture