ANGIE NGOC TRAN
CASE STUDY
POSTURE FURNITURE FOR COLLABORATIVE SPACE
Case Study HI VONG
Angie Ngoc Tran
Case Study: POSTURE
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PROJECT GOAL Posture is one of the designs produced from a collaborative project between Davis Furniture and students from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). The goal was to design pieces of furniture that specifically encouraged collaborative activities between people within any given space, while accurately conveying the Davis Furniture brand aesthetic.
ABOUT DAVIS FURNITURE mission statement vision statement Our mission is to be a leader in the contract furniture Always looking to the future of work environments and industry for superior design in aesthetics and function with how we can offer cutting-edge products with innovative an international contemporary influence, while maintaining OBSERVATION design, function, and aesthetics that make the workplace a dedication to our customers by providing superior service more appealing. and overall value with the highest corporate integrity.
OBSERVATION Observation was done at multiple locations in town where surrounding environment (how they used the furniture, interaction and collaboration happened. The emphasis equipment, and tools along with their own; where they was not only on people’s behavior and postures during preferred to sit; the difference between a long and quick conversation but also how they interacted with the OBSERVATION meeting). locations: SCAD Student Center & Adler Hall Either in class or at the lobby, the students naturally arranged themselves in a circular/ semi-circular form without following the square/rectangular shape of the tables. On the second picture, the girl seemed to be the most comfortable one in the group since she had barely changed her sitting posture for the entire meeting. She was sitting on a sofa with both back support and armrest.
CIRCLE for Collaborative Space? OBSERVATION
Location: SCAD Student Center Adler Hall
Either in class or at the lobby, the students are arranging themse in a circular/semi-circular form without following or using the squ rectangular table. On the upper left and right pictures, the girl seems to be the m comfortable one since she has barely changed her sitting posture the entire conversation.
OBSERVATION
Angie NGOC TRAN location: Savannah Starbucks Coffee Shop During conversation, people tended to turn their body to the side (which formed some sort of a circular form with the other). The coffee tables located in the side of the chairs were used more effectively than the ones in the front. Belongings were on the floor. People had the tendency to sit at the corner, in the back or enclosed space. The ones with laptop chose to sit at a conferenceheight table or used the device on their lap.
The most basic natural form
HOW GATHERING HAPPENS No hierarchy, no different approach
Angie NGOC TRAN
Gathering happens anywhere and anytime in different types of activities. at multiple gathering settings nteraction, conversation, participationLooking and collaboration (indoor and outdoor, formal and informal), the observation Increase vision focused on how people positioned themselves to feel most comfortable and Enclose connected with each other. space Connect people together
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WORK LOUNGE - DAVIS FURNITURE Professor Bazemore - Professor Wech Location: SCAD Student Center
Fall
Adler Hall Either in class or at the lobby, the students are arranging themselves in a circular/semi-circular form without following or using the square/ rectangular table. On the upper left and right pictures, the girl seems to be the most comfortable one since she has barely changed her sitting posture for the entire conversation.
Why CIRCLE for Colla
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WORK LOUNGE - DAVIS FURNITURE
Professor Bazemore - Professor Wech
Location: Savannah Starbucks Coffee Shop
Fall 2012
Loca
Dur During conversation, people tend to turn over over to talk (which forms some sort of a circular cular-form with the others). The The coffee tables located in the side of the chair chairs are used for effectively than the ones in fro in front. Belo Belongings are on the floor. Peop People tend to sit at corner or enclosed spac space. The ones with laptop choose to sit at a co a conference-height-table. or use the device on t on their lap. The most basic natu
Angie Ngoc Tran
Case Study: POSTURE
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CONCLUSION FROM OBSERVATION When interacting with each other, people tend to arrange themselves to either a circular or semi-circular (when using projector, whiteboard...) form. The usual lounge table height is not sufficient for working or collaboration, especially with laptop, tablet and other electronic devices.
The usual lounge seating height does not support upright/ working postures. Coffee table is used more often when located to the side of seating than in the front. People prefer to work at a coffee shop more than either at their house or office.
WHERE COLLABORATION TAKES PLACE The goal was to analyze what kind of environment would encourage interaction and collaboration. Since collaboration should not only take place in a conference
room, there should be collaborative zone anywhere that conveniently and naturally brings people together and initiates meaningful conversation.
why coffee shop? To stay away from home distractions and office boredom To be served, not to feel isolated Multiple seating options Relaxing and active atmosphere, good wi-fi why NOT coffee shop? Distractions, no privacy Better for individual than group working Lack of working surface, not easy to re-arrange furniture Not provide enough technology support
IDEAL COLLABORATIVE SPACE Active atmosphere, convenient distance Provide privacy, no distraction Provide efficient tools, equipment and technology Good for both individual and group work Highly adaptive and arrangeable furniture A wide range of working seating options
DAVIS PRODUCTS ANALYSIS Pros: Adaptive, Variety of seating design, Side table attached
why CIRCLE in Collaborative Space Encourage Innovation & Creativity The most Basic Natural Form Enclose Space, Increase Vision, Connect People Encourage Interaction & Participation Create Harmony, Equality & Unity No hierarchy, no different approach
Ergonomics
(source: The Measure of Man & Woman (revised edition) – Hen
Cons: Not many products provide appropriate (small) circular working form, Lack of laptop/tablet working surface, Lounge seating does not suit for upright working postures.
ERGONOMIC STUDY
(source: The Measure of Man & Woman - Henry Dreyfuss Associates)
Ergonomics is the scientific study of people at work. The goal of ergonomics is to reduce stress and eliminate injuries and disorders associated with the overuse of muscles, bad posture, and repeated tasks.
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Angie NGOC TRAN
WORK LOUNGE - DAVIS FU
Angie Ngoc Tran
Case Study: POSTURE
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PROXEMICS personal space Family members, close friends: 18”-30”. Everyone else: More comfortable if they are 30”-40” away. collaborative space Workers from the same/ different companies; formal/ informal business meetings. Collaborative comfortable distance: 2.5” - 4.5”
social space (48”-144”) Disconnected social zone, here conversations are no longer private. Most business meetings occur here, with more formal exchanges occuring in the outer range of the zone. Here, it is socially acceptable to engage strangers in conversation. It’s a relaxed zone with the potential for good social interaction.
EXPERIMENTS The volunteers were asked to do a collaboration activity at different sitting heights and distances between each other, then give feedback on the level of comfort, efficiency and productivity at each setting. appropriate distance Colleagues (same gender): 30”-35” Colleagues (male-female): 35”-45” First-met: 45”-54” most comfortable setting Equal heights = comfortable, no hieararchy (same eye-level) Circular-form preferred interviews Dang Nguyen - “For group working, I prefer circle table because it creates a friendly atmosphere and connects people together (like a family dining table).” Vinh Duong - “The table has to be round so everyone can face each other. There should be a white board for brainstorming and ideation.”
CASE STUDY Based on the Ergonomic Study, the key figure (Fig.1) shows the ranges of head, shoulder, and eye rotation, from easy to maximum. The intent is to explore the right dimensions and angles that support comfortable interaction, arranging the the figures next to each other to find the distance that was comfortable enough but still encourages conversation.
MAX HEAD ROTATION 45o
EASY HEAD ROTATION
45o
60o
60o
25o
25o
EASY SHOULDER ROTATION
17”
15o 15o 14” LEGS’ CLEARANCE
35o
19”
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EASY EYE ROTATION MAX EYE ROTATION
35o
Fig.1
Angie Ngoc Tran
Case Study: POSTURE
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POSTURE After having carefully studied each product of Davis Furniture, I have learned that the company is aiming for superior design in aesthetics and function with an international contemporary influence. Davis’ products are very “high-fashion”. Besides the aesthetic aspect, they keep the clarity in the design and stay close to their mission that is to create functional products for the future of work environments. The furniture does not only support collaborating postures but also creates a working-coffee-shop atmosphere. Posture helps to encourage the users’ interaction in a (physically/psychologically) private enclosed space at an appropriate working and seating height, and is adaptable to all working zones.
POSTURE The name Posture comes from its function of supporting proxemic behaviors on interpersonal communication. It provides flexibility in choices of collaborative postures based on the levels of comfort between the users and their types of collaborative activities.
ARMREST One of the most important features of Posture is the armrest which is extremely versatile. dimensions Based on the case study, the figures are shown interacting with each other within the comfort of their head, eye and 21 shoulder rotation. It is also taken into consideration of legspace and comfortable distance between each other. U-shape Additionally, the armrest is in the form of a U shape (not a V shape) from the top view to support collaborative process - the users do not have to lean outward to take note or use any device. task support At 10.5” height, it is comfortable enough for lumbar support and arm resting, as well as for encouraging upright postures - suitable for quick meeting and group working. The height is also appropriate for writing, note taking and using electronic devices (laptop, iPad, tablets...). www.angiengoc.com
Angie Ngoc Tran
Case Study: POSTURE
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INTEGRATED BACK-PANEL
COLLABORATIVE POSTURES
According to research, the backrest should be at least shoulder height in order to deter people from approaching from behind and interrupting conversation. Thus, this version of the Posture with shoulder-height panel integrated to the back helps to provide that privacy.
As the name suggests, the four figures below show different postures based on the relationship between the two users, from formal to colleague meeting, from collaboration to casual talk. It can be used with other funiture to support a variety of working activities.
APPLICATIONS Posture provides a wide range of settings that support collaborative activities.
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