usability testing
a chair project
Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
1. photo studies and early work 2. development 3. usability testing
Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
We studied photographs and observed specific postures that were common to men, women, and then to both genders. Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
Key observations: men slouch, women (usually) don’t. Why? Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
Key observations: Posture is determined by location of visual target. Crossing legs alleviates bottom pressure. Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
We determined that physiological differences heavily influence the way that men and women position themselves on chairs. Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
The Problem: How can we design a comfortable non-adjustable ergonomic chair suitable for men & women? Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
Our early work focused on creating a rigid cardboard frame as a base for our ergonomic studies in foam. Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project First model • defined overall shape • determined weak points • worked out fluting issues • planned foam surfaces
Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
early sketches
Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
We decided to guide the pelvic bone into a natural position to encourage proper spinal alignment, and to provide a divet designed for male comfort. Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
We consulted many sources in order to determine comfortable measurements. We then developed a pattern to be laser cut. Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
assembly
Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
We decided to fabricate some more parts for better stabilization.
downward force resulted in unsafe lateral movement of frame
Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
After our extra parts were set,we began work on refining our seat pan and seat back based on our early sketches. Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
Once we finished our full scale model prototype, we retrieved data from actual users, with the intent to assimilate suggestions into a second refinement. Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
We asked five students of varying heights and body sizes to test our chair in front of a computer. We asked for their thoughts and criticisms. Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
Katie- 5’-4” Positives: Range of motion; seat back, armrests and seat pan feel good; Doesn’t foresee discomfort; seat height Negatives: Footrests make pulling the chair up to the desk difficult Nathan- 5’-11” Positives: Good lumbar support; Nice seat pan depth and his “balls feel free to breath”; Nice seat back angle and seat height Negatives: Feels his thighs are constrained by the seat side walls; Not free to splay his legs; The right side of his tailbone feels some pressure; Feels the width is tight at the interior armrest overhang; Would prefer a longer armrestDoesn’t feel his forearms have enough support Elisabeth- 5’-4” Positives: Nice arm height; Lumbar is well placed and discourages slumping; Angle of seat back- Impressive since she has issues from a back injury and is very sensitive to seat back angles; Seat height Negatives: Wishes the table was lower; hit her elbow on the seat back when she turned around David- 5’-7” Positives: Perfect seat height- Impressive because he is in the 5% range for shin length; Seat back angle; arm rest height Negatives: Armrests are too short; Wants a more pronounced lumbar curve and for it to be located higher on the chair; Prefers to have a headrest- he is a gamer and wants to be able to relax while he plays; Feels pressure on his tailbone which is typically the case on office chairs Huey- 6’-1” Positives: Seat height and pan; Seat back angle and lumbar; Generally very comfortable Negatives: Feels squeezed by the width; Prefers a higher armrest Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project Modifications: • affix seat pan • contour seat pan more • cut out walls near outer thighs • reformed arm rests according to users’ suggestions • removed heel rest
Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
Progress...
Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
We asked five MORE students of varying heights and body sizes to test our chair. We asked for their thoughts and criticisms. Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
WT - 6’0” Positives: Lumbar support is “perfect”. Loves the angle of the seat back Negatives: Wants more pitch behind thighs on seat-pan to create more contoured surface for butt Santiago – 5’6” Positives: Likes the width of chair. “Perfect seat height”. “Comfy”. Lumbar support is “perfect”. Negatives: none Charlotte – 5’5” Positives: Seat is comfy and height of arm rest/seat is great. Seat angle is good. Negatives: Has problems with back, so lumbar support needed to be lowered. Claimed that her lower back was uncomfortable while sitting Jeremiah – 6’0” Positives: “Forces good posture”, seat pan is comfortable, height of everything is “perfect” Negatives: Wants more contoured surface under ischium bones. Knees felt forced together – cut open sides more for greater range for knee to move. Would not mind higher arm rests, “if you arm is angled up, blood rushes away from your hand, and that could get uncomfortable”. Dave - 6’0” Positives: seat pan, arm rest and seat angle all feel good. Thighs are comfy “not cutting off circulation” Negatives: Lumbar feels great, but would like a little more dramatic contour on the seat back – Dave suggests even lowering the lumbar support a little.
Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
Our second test resulted in only minor suggestions - overall, users felt extremely comfortable in our chair. Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
We gained an appreciation for users’ inputs in our design, as well as a good understanding of the requirements for comfort while sitting. Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski
usability testing
a chair project
Conclusion: Good chairs are tough to make. We were able to point to our gathered data in order to make informed and relevant design decisions, via usability testing. Our second usability test gave us further directions for refinements. Design research and work done by Alex Pappalardo + Jonathan Kalinowski