Ergonomic products are designed to be comfortable and easy to use, reducing fatigue and increasing productivity. However, simply stating that a design is ergonomic does not necessarily make it more comfortable. The US National Institute for Health sets guidelines for creating an ergonomic workspace, and ergonomic design is also predominant in the interior design of automobiles. The goal of ergonomic products or environments is to interface with humans in the most natural way possible.
If a product is ergonomic it is specifically designed to be comfortable and easy to use, physically and psychologically. Ergonomic products are often advertised to reduce fatigue and repetitive strain and increase productivity.
In recent years, ergonomics has been increasingly associated with computer products, such as ergonomic mice and keyboards. While a standard keyboard is said to place the wrists in an unnatural position, an ergonomic keyboard is split with each half angled to the other, forming a slight V-shape. A more natural posture can be maintained by resting the hands on an ergonomic keyboard , thus facilitating a comfortable experience even for long periods of use.
However, simply stating that a design is ergonomic does not necessarily make it more comfortable. There is no guideline for creating an ergonomic product and the research used for the designs can, in some cases, be incorrect. This can lead to a product that, by popular standards, is even less comfortable than its traditional counterpart.
For example, in the late 1980s an ergonomic chair with no backrest was supposedly less tiring. The chair was designed with an inverted S pattern that allowed for “sit on your knees.” While it might have technically been better for posture on paper, after a short period of sitting without back support, many people found it more tiring than a traditional chair. Most of these chairs are now made with lumbar support.
According to the US National Institute for Health (NIH), an ergonomic chair should have a variety of adjustable features, including seat height, recline, adjustable armrests, and other specific features (such as a “waterfall” seat that drops towards the floor). The NIH also emphasizes creating an ergonomic workspace and sets guidelines for optimal monitor height, lighting, keyboard and mouse placement, and so on. In addition to creating a physical environment that is conducive to the body’s natural movements, the NIH lists some simple exercises you can do throughout the day while sitting at a desk to relieve fatigue.
Besides the workspace, another area where ergonomic design is predominant is the interior design of automobiles. Car seats with adjustable height, seat angle and lumbar support; dashboards and consoles laid out with controls placed in intuitive locations – even the control knobs themselves are designed to be easy to use.
While any product may have some ergonomic value – ATMs, power tools and racing bicycles to name a few – as a general rule, the more continuously a product is used, the more time will be spent on ergonomic research in its design. Hence the emphasis on workspace products and automobiles.
The goal of ergonomic products or environments is to interface with humans in the most natural way possible. By purchasing products and creating ergonomically designed environments at home and at work, you should be able to enjoy your work or play with greater ease and reduced stress.
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