Arthritis Forum
Home.

News.

Personal Stories. Links. Message Board.  
Arthritis Forum  
Add your comments to this topic Start a new topic
Date: 26.10.2010
From: Michael

Subject: Design to meet a need...

Hi everyone, I'm currently studying product design at universtiy and am in my final year. I personally do not not suffer from any form of arthritis but have friends who do. I dont pretend to fully understand what its like to live with this condition but would love to hear from people who do, and have been affected by the recent welfare benefit cuts.

I want to design a product specifically for the workplace to help anyone who may have no option but to start/return to work due to the recent government cuts. To help with this process, it would be very helpful and so so much appreciated to know what movements or tasks which are carried out in the workplace are difficult/painful. This may range from seating to using a keyboard, making tea to accessing the building. I understand there are various conditions of arthritis at varying severness' but anything is welcome. really.

As i stated above this is all to help design a product to meet a need, and make those hard or painful tasks in the workplace easier.

Thanks guys...
reply | back to forum

Date: 27.10.2010
From: Tom

Subject: Re: Design to meet a need...

Hi Michael what university are you at ? Are you going to New Designers next year? I did an Arthritis Project for my final year project as well. Take a look at my coroflot page:

http://www.coroflot.com/tomspencer/Updated-MultiAT/12

This was designed for problems around the house, but you could do something similar for the workplace.

Heres a few ideas:

- Things you could make bigger and easier to hold:
Sharpener
Pencil/pen
Coffee Mug
Mouse


- Keyboard could be made easier to use, think about different ways of inputting information without using the hands, possibly make keys bigger and less strength is needed to depress them (like on a laptop keyboard)

- Think about out of office workplaces, ask people on here what they do for a living (not everyone works in an office) that may spark an idea to solve a problem that hasn't been addressed.

Let me know how you get on!

tomspencerdesign@live.co.uk

Tom
reply | back to forum

Date: 27.10.2010
From: c

Subject: Re: Design to meet a need...

I dont work in a office i work in the NHS taking bloods. We do a lot of walking and that having to hold tiny needles and fiddle with the bottles to fill with blood. Im ok at the min as my arthritis isnt that bad but i also have carpal tunnel which sometimes makes my job a nightmare I do struggle with coffee mugs they seam to slip down in my hand as my grip is not longer as good as it was.
reply | back to forum

Date: 27.10.2010
From: Shirley

Subject: Re: Design to meet a need...

Office tasks such as staplers, hole punches and opening ring binders are really tricky with weak hands/wrists.
reply | back to forum

Date: 27.10.2010
From: ScaryFeet

Subject: Re: Design to meet a need...

Could you design work colleagues that take in what you say about your disease and the difficulties it causes you and then remember it and act on it instead of completely forgetting within 10 minutes and go back to asking you if you are better now or do you need an asprin??

Apart from that - I think the suggestions above are the sort of things that would help me at home too as I've given up work but I'm studying - I've given up work, partly for the reasons first mentioned at the beginning of my post!!
reply | back to forum

Date: 27.10.2010
From: katknapp

Subject: Re: Design to meet a need...

That is so true lisa lol thats cheered me up!!!!

self pushing/propeller hoovers too,i havent been able to hoover for a long time as its too hard to move and ive tried a few and is there such a thing as an electric jar opener?and something that lifts the kettle for you,
reply | back to forum

Date: 28.10.2010
From: Michael

Subject: Re: Design to meet a need...

Thanks everyone, these are all great. I guess im not restricted to just looking at the 'workplace' and the various environments that may include. But i'm assuming these government cuts on welfare will mean many who do suffer from such conditions may sadly have no choice but to work.

Thanks again, these are all useful ideas.
reply | back to forum

Date: 28.10.2010
From: Michael

Subject: Re: Design to meet a need...

Ha! That may require some seriously advanced technology but sure i'll give it a go...
reply | back to forum

 

Add your comments to this topic
Subject:
Please type your comment here:

Your name:
email:

1+3=
(This sum is to help prevent automatic spamming through this page - thank-you)


top

Site design: T - Creative Home | News | Personal Stories | Links | Message Board