Ergo? Ergo.

Ergonomics and sustainable work have become increasingly important as I embark on my career path. The easiest way to understand the application of ergonomics is through a workspace or office lens and the adjustments feasible to it. I work extensive hours at the computer and have found a few comfortable solutions that make my personal working space much more intuitive and healthy for my body over long periods.

(MayoClinic, 2023)

How can you practice ergonomics?

The most critical and genuinely influential lesson of ergonomics is not in the body positions assumed when working; instead, it is the intentional timing of breaks and moovement to shift the body and alleviate repetitive pressure/strain.

The key to healthy work is to move outside of your workspace at consistent intervals.

The next aspect of stationary desk work is the chair supporting the user. The chair is the main weight support structure for the body and is found most effective when positioned to allow support for the feet, accomplished by adjusting the seat height to enable the contact of the foot to the floor or a supplemental footrest is attached/positioned conveniently. Once the lower body finds support accordingly, the analysis of the spine and neck is considered. Back support is essential to desk work, and finding the proper forms can require individual experimentation.

Directly connecting the user from the chair to the desk are the arm positions for the keyboard, mouse, and other tools used on the work surface(s). The positioning of these components is imperative for proper ergonomic stability. Arms bent at ~90 degrees with no overextension or unnecessary added weight load is ideal for the upper limbs at a desk.

The final major component of the ideal working setup is the center of it all: the desk. Like the chair, the 'perfect' desk varies from user to user and can require tinkering and exploration to find the best fit. In my experience, dynamic desks that can raise and lower the table height for standing/sitting are the best solution to my restless feet and need to change position. In support of the most essential lesson of ergonomics, the continual movement and repositioning of the body, the dynamic desk allows the user to work comfortably for extended periods.

(Battle, 2023)

Through the anthropomorphic lens, I have crafted a personal desk space in my studio that best suits my occupational and physical needs. The best surface solution for me is an adjustable desk that frequently allows standing or elevation changes. The desk I use has an additional drop-down keyboard support, creating the ideal angle for my prolonged computer use.

As I progress through my degree, my work sprawls across multiple surfaces and requires larger spaces for productivity. The standing desk I use is not feasible for extensive handwork; therefore, I have "acquired" secondary and tertiary surfaces adjacent to my primary desk. Luckily, I work in a communal studio and have the privilege of wide personal space and shared surfaces. This arrangement allows me ample room to work and encourages collaboration and movement on any project. "U-shaped configuration... is often used when the people.. share common responsibilities, work together on joint tasks, or where the sharing of zones results in saving floor space" (Panero, 1979)

(Battle, 2023)

These feaisble solutions have transformed the effect desk work has on my body.

Finding the perfect workstation is a matter of trial and error and often changes with the objectives. Ergonomics can make or break productivity, especially over sustained periods. To create the best interior environments, designers must consider how to engrain healthy working habits and structures into working spaces.

Refrences

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2023, May 25). Office ergonomics: Your how-to guide. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/office-ergonomics/art-20046169

Panero, J., & Zelnik, M. (1979). Human dimension and interior space. Whitney Library of Design.