The human factor in design

Flexibility in chair design is no longer being taken for granted. Through years of study and perseverance, a new consideration has been taken into account: ergonomics. Throughout the last decade, the recognition of ergonomics, a scientific discipline concerned with the interaction of humans, their environment, and principles developed to optimize human well-being, has created a resurgence towards environmental awareness and dynamic innovation in the furniture and workstation manufacturing industry.

Examples of this trend in previous years were apparent in the furniture designs of Le Corbusier and Eames, which contoured and accommodated to the needs of the human figure while architect Antonio Gaudi created breathable live spaces that encouraged airflow and removed the box from human environments. All of these trends have server to change the thinking behind the creation of office furniture. Likewise, newfound interest in illnesses like carpel tunnel syndrome alarmed employees and business owners to the importance of cohesive work environments. Illnesses such as migraine headaches, and musculoskeletal disorders were attributed to rigid seating and awkward, static posture.

These alerts spawned various innovations such as keyboards with hand rests, supportive seating alternatives, an increase and demand for massage sessions and a new career alternative for people who actually study ergonomics.

Ergonomists, people who study ergonomics, contribute to the design and evaluation of tasks, jobs, products, environments and systems in order to make them compatible with the needs, abilities and limitations of people.

To what extent could these environments be tolerated and what effects would they have on the mind and body? The Information Age has spawned the field of human-computer interaction while the growing demand for and competition among consumer goods and electronics has resulted in more companies heeding human factors in product design. These studies have inspired cohesive work environments, an increase in seating options, efforts to streamline solutions and simplify confusion. Relevant topics include cognitive ergonomics where perception, attention, cognition, motor control, and memory storage and retrieval are considered. Relevant topics include mental workload, vigilance, decision-making, skilled performance, human error, human-computer interaction, and training.

In collaboration with designers, ergonomists make things that are usable by people. In efforts to increase ergonomic harmony, special attention has been given to the workchair. Herman Miller was one of the first designers to make ergonomics a priority and Haworth came shortly thereafter. Both innovators created a market where supportive seating took precedent. People seek chairs with supportive armrests, lumbar support and equally important aesthetic inspiration.

Ergonomics has replaced tortuous devices and created a curvilinear solution in an otherwise boxy existence. Here at chairs1000.com, we’ve developed a series of chairs for your perusal and enjoyment to enhance your workspace experience.

See our ergonomic chairs.

If you have comments or suggestions, contact us.