1. What are the difficulties that you have encountered during the process?
I was not sure if I was suppose to make my prototype for an average size elderly or extreme. Also, I did not know what materials to use.
2. How do you overcome the difficulties encountered?
I asked Ms Seah to clarify my difficulties.
3. What are the 2 key takeaways for this lesson?
The 2 key takeaways is that I have to plan out properly how I am going to model my prototype and that my prototype has to work.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Ergomics (Product description and Idea Trigger)
1) Pictures of the product:
2) (i) Describe the product(Appearance, Colour, Function etc)
-It is green
-It is a brush
-Clean things
-Adjustable handle
ii) What are the design considerations when designing this product?
Durability, simplicity.
iii) Would an elderly faced difficulty using this product? If yes, what are the difficulties that the elderly would face?
Yes. The elderly might now know how to pull out the adjustable handle.
iv) What do you think can be done to improve on the design of the product to suit the elderly? (Sketch the improved design in your sketchbook and take a picture of it. Post the improved sketch at the end of your post)
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Ergonomics II
1) What is Ergonomics?
Ergonomics is the study of people's efficiency in their working environment.
source; New Oxford American Dictionary(MacBook Pro Dictionary)
2) What are the 5 aspects of Ergonomics?
The 5 aspects are comfort, safety, easy of use, productivity/performance and aesthetics.
source; S, VS. (2008). Ergonomics automotive. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/vins049/ergonomics-automotive-presentation
3) For each aspect of Ergonomics, explain with an example of a product that is designed for the elderly, how the product meet that particular aspect of Ergonomics.
Comfort: Massage chairs. Nowadays there are many different types of massage chairs. If the elderly has joint problems, they can use them so that it will reduce the pain and also they can do it in their own home.
Safety: Grab bars in the bathroom. If the elderly feels giddy and feels like he/she is going to fall, she/he can quickly grab the bars.
Easy of Use: Lifts. With lifts, the elderly can go up to a high floor easily, especially if they are using a wheelchair. As you can see in the picture below, there is a lift specially made for a wheelchair user so that he/she can go into the house easily.
Aesthetics: Signs. Most elderly would have poor vision and therefore they would not be able to see signs from a far distance. Thus, signs has to be bigger for them. Those signs in the picture below is essential for the elderly to see as it is for their safety.
Ergonomics is the study of people's efficiency in their working environment.
source; New Oxford American Dictionary(MacBook Pro Dictionary)
2) What are the 5 aspects of Ergonomics?
The 5 aspects are comfort, safety, easy of use, productivity/performance and aesthetics.
source; S, VS. (2008). Ergonomics automotive. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/vins049/ergonomics-automotive-presentation
3) For each aspect of Ergonomics, explain with an example of a product that is designed for the elderly, how the product meet that particular aspect of Ergonomics.
Comfort: Massage chairs. Nowadays there are many different types of massage chairs. If the elderly has joint problems, they can use them so that it will reduce the pain and also they can do it in their own home.
Safety: Grab bars in the bathroom. If the elderly feels giddy and feels like he/she is going to fall, she/he can quickly grab the bars.
Easy of Use: Lifts. With lifts, the elderly can go up to a high floor easily, especially if they are using a wheelchair. As you can see in the picture below, there is a lift specially made for a wheelchair user so that he/she can go into the house easily.
Performances/Productivity: Cooking pots. If they are made of heavy metals, there is a higher chance of them dropping the pot and causing them to hurt themselves. Therefore, cooking pots should be light but durable.
Aesthetics: Signs. Most elderly would have poor vision and therefore they would not be able to see signs from a far distance. Thus, signs has to be bigger for them. Those signs in the picture below is essential for the elderly to see as it is for their safety.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Ergonomics 1
1) Compare the 2 different workplaces, state your observations.
Ergonomic Issue#1: Comfort and Simplicity
For workplace 1, the man looks very uncomfortable doing his work there as the table is very cluttered and his chair gives him little space for him to move around. Eg, to type etc. For workplace 2, the man looks very comfortable doing his work there as the table is very tidy and his chair gives him ample space for him to move around. He also can lean back which gives him the comfort that he needs.
Ergonomic Issue#2: Incorrect Height and Depth
For workplace 1, the monitor is too far away for the man and it is not adjustable. It is very difficult for the man to do his work as he is unable to see the screen properly. Even after wearing his spectacles, he still is unable to see the screen. For workplace 2, the monitor is attached to an "arm" so the man is able to adjust the distance of the monitor from him. This would allow him to see the screen clearly at the proper distance.
Ergonomic Issue#3: Task Lighting
For workplace 1, the place is too brightly lighted up. When the man wants to move away the light, it was too hot for him to touch it. For workplace 2, the light is able to be moved around and will only shine at the place that is needed so it would not be too bright.
Ergonomic Issue#4: Freedom of Movement
For workplace 1, the man has to drag the chair towards the table. The hand rest is also too high thus his hands are unable to move freely. He has difficulty typing. For workplace 2, the hand rest is adjustable. Which means that it can be lowered down when not in use.
Ergonomic Issue#5: Prolonged Laptop Use
For workplace 1, the man has to keep moving the laptop so that he can see the screen. Eg, push up and down the screen,moving it off the table and putting the laptop on top of something etc. For workplace 2, the man uses a laptop holder so that it is easier for him to see his laptop screen without moving so much.
Ergonomic Issue#6: Usable Desk Space
For workplace 1, it is very cluttered so it is very difficult for the man to find his things eg, stationery. When he finally finds it, it is tough for him to take it from where he is sitting due to the mess. Also, he accidentally knocked down his cup of coffee, and that causes his workplace to be messy or destroy import work stuff. Since it is very cluttered, he has no where to put his keyboard and result to putting it on top of his cup. For workplace 2, everything is put on a rail. This makes everything neater and tidier.
2) Which workplace is preferred? State with reasons why one workplace is preferred over the other.
Workplace 2 is preferred. It is very tidy and is a very comfortable environment to work in.
3) What are the considerations that should be taken into account when designing a workplace that is suitable for the user?
The need and want of the client. Eg, comfort. Also, if it is practical or not.
4. Why do you think that Ergonomics is important when designing?
You have to suit to the customer's taste/liking so that they will buy it. If it does not meet the want of the client, they will not buy it.
Ergonomic Issue#1: Comfort and Simplicity
For workplace 1, the man looks very uncomfortable doing his work there as the table is very cluttered and his chair gives him little space for him to move around. Eg, to type etc. For workplace 2, the man looks very comfortable doing his work there as the table is very tidy and his chair gives him ample space for him to move around. He also can lean back which gives him the comfort that he needs.
Ergonomic Issue#2: Incorrect Height and Depth
For workplace 1, the monitor is too far away for the man and it is not adjustable. It is very difficult for the man to do his work as he is unable to see the screen properly. Even after wearing his spectacles, he still is unable to see the screen. For workplace 2, the monitor is attached to an "arm" so the man is able to adjust the distance of the monitor from him. This would allow him to see the screen clearly at the proper distance.
Ergonomic Issue#3: Task Lighting
For workplace 1, the place is too brightly lighted up. When the man wants to move away the light, it was too hot for him to touch it. For workplace 2, the light is able to be moved around and will only shine at the place that is needed so it would not be too bright.
Ergonomic Issue#4: Freedom of Movement
For workplace 1, the man has to drag the chair towards the table. The hand rest is also too high thus his hands are unable to move freely. He has difficulty typing. For workplace 2, the hand rest is adjustable. Which means that it can be lowered down when not in use.
Ergonomic Issue#5: Prolonged Laptop Use
For workplace 1, the man has to keep moving the laptop so that he can see the screen. Eg, push up and down the screen,moving it off the table and putting the laptop on top of something etc. For workplace 2, the man uses a laptop holder so that it is easier for him to see his laptop screen without moving so much.
Ergonomic Issue#6: Usable Desk Space
For workplace 1, it is very cluttered so it is very difficult for the man to find his things eg, stationery. When he finally finds it, it is tough for him to take it from where he is sitting due to the mess. Also, he accidentally knocked down his cup of coffee, and that causes his workplace to be messy or destroy import work stuff. Since it is very cluttered, he has no where to put his keyboard and result to putting it on top of his cup. For workplace 2, everything is put on a rail. This makes everything neater and tidier.
2) Which workplace is preferred? State with reasons why one workplace is preferred over the other.
Workplace 2 is preferred. It is very tidy and is a very comfortable environment to work in.
3) What are the considerations that should be taken into account when designing a workplace that is suitable for the user?
The need and want of the client. Eg, comfort. Also, if it is practical or not.
4. Why do you think that Ergonomics is important when designing?
You have to suit to the customer's taste/liking so that they will buy it. If it does not meet the want of the client, they will not buy it.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Elderly Challenge - Observation 4
The level of this sofa is quite low and an elderly trying to get up from this sofa has to struggle. They have to use the side of the sofa as a support to get up. Sometimes, even using the sides does not help. If there is another person in the house besides the elderly, he/she can help the elderly. However, what if the elderly happens to be alone at home? Would the elderly have to be stuck at the sofa until someone comes into the house?
Elderly Challenge - Observation 3
Here are some safety features inside a bathroom.
This is a non-slip mat inside the bathroom. This prevents anyone using the bathroom to slip and fall. The non-slip mat should not only be placed in a bathroom used by an elderly but in ever bathroom. After bathing, the floor would be wet and soap may be on the floor. This will cause you to slip and fall.
In addition, you should put grab bars too. If the elderly feels like they are going to fall, they can quickly grab the bar and keep their balance. However some elderly might mistaken this as a towel holder. Therefore you tell the elderly what is this bar for after installing them so that it is used in the correct way.
This is a non-slip mat inside the bathroom. This prevents anyone using the bathroom to slip and fall. The non-slip mat should not only be placed in a bathroom used by an elderly but in ever bathroom. After bathing, the floor would be wet and soap may be on the floor. This will cause you to slip and fall.
In addition, you should put grab bars too. If the elderly feels like they are going to fall, they can quickly grab the bar and keep their balance. However some elderly might mistaken this as a towel holder. Therefore you tell the elderly what is this bar for after installing them so that it is used in the correct way.
Elderly Challenge - Observation 2
Here are more observations that I have made.
This elderly is bending down to pick up something. This is quite dangerous as she may fall. My grandma is not strong anymore as she fell before and had to go for an operation. Therefore her legs can give in at any point of time and cause her to fall down again.
This elderly is bending down to pick up something. This is quite dangerous as she may fall. My grandma is not strong anymore as she fell before and had to go for an operation. Therefore her legs can give in at any point of time and cause her to fall down again.
Elderly Challenge - Observation 1
I have observed some difficulties an elderly would face in their own home.
As you can see there is a cabinet above this elderly. Some of the items she needs could be inside the cabinet.
You might not be able to see but the cabinet is quite deep. I myself who is taller than my grandmother cannot even reach some of the items up there. She may need to use a stool to get all of the items. This is not very advisable as using a stool may have a high risk of falling.
As you can see there is a cabinet above this elderly. Some of the items she needs could be inside the cabinet.
You might not be able to see but the cabinet is quite deep. I myself who is taller than my grandmother cannot even reach some of the items up there. She may need to use a stool to get all of the items. This is not very advisable as using a stool may have a high risk of falling.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Holiday work - Part 1: Understanding the 'The Elderly Challenge'
Four key recommendations of the report:
1) Housing for seniors
Singapore will slowly develop into an elder-friendly country. This would allow and encourage the elderly to live as a part of the community and family. In order to achieve this, there will be a range of housing options to meet their needs.
2) Accessibility for seniors
The environment as well as the transport system must be elder-friendly so that they can have an active lifestyle.
3)Caring for seniors
Eldercare and healthcare services ensures the dignity and the standard of their life to be maintained.
4) Opportunities for seniors
The elderly will lead an active and healthy lifestyle as well as fulfill relationship with their family and friends.
One way that the CAI report is recommending to make our public housing more elder-friendly:
The authorities should think of specific ways to control the development of houses for the people retiring.
Two ways to ensure the quality of elderly care in Singapore is affordable:
1) The elderly that are financially not stable, the government can subsidies for them.
2) We can find volunteers who are willing to take care of the elderly so that cost is cut down.
As an SST student, I can ...
1) Observe the difficulties my grandmother face at home.
2)Ask her how her life can be improved.
3)Try to make a solution.
1) Housing for seniors
Singapore will slowly develop into an elder-friendly country. This would allow and encourage the elderly to live as a part of the community and family. In order to achieve this, there will be a range of housing options to meet their needs.
2) Accessibility for seniors
The environment as well as the transport system must be elder-friendly so that they can have an active lifestyle.
3)Caring for seniors
Eldercare and healthcare services ensures the dignity and the standard of their life to be maintained.
4) Opportunities for seniors
The elderly will lead an active and healthy lifestyle as well as fulfill relationship with their family and friends.
One way that the CAI report is recommending to make our public housing more elder-friendly:
The authorities should think of specific ways to control the development of houses for the people retiring.
Two ways to ensure the quality of elderly care in Singapore is affordable:
1) The elderly that are financially not stable, the government can subsidies for them.
2) We can find volunteers who are willing to take care of the elderly so that cost is cut down.
As an SST student, I can ...
1) Observe the difficulties my grandmother face at home.
2)Ask her how her life can be improved.
3)Try to make a solution.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Personal Reflection (NEwater visit)
1. What are the 3 key takeaways from today’s visit?
I have learnt that there are 4 national taps in Singapore. NEWater is much safer to drink compared to anything else in the world. Singapore does not have a lot of resources.
2. Name 2 concepts that you have learnt today during the visit.
2. Name 2 concepts that you have learnt today during the visit.
The two concepts are that Reverse Osmosis is used to purify the water and most of NEWater is used for industrial purposes.
3. What is the 1 interesting thing that you have learnt today?
I have learnt that water in the reservoirs are mixed with a small percentage of NEWater.
4. What are the things that you can do to help with water conservation in Singapore?
3. What is the 1 interesting thing that you have learnt today?
I have learnt that water in the reservoirs are mixed with a small percentage of NEWater.
4. What are the things that you can do to help with water conservation in Singapore?
I can help by taking a shower instead of a bath and not to leave the tap running when I am brushing my teeth.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
ADMT Reflection
1. What are the 3 key takeaways from today’s lesson?
I have learnt that we must know how to approach our audience before we actually come up with a proposal, that everyone plays a part to save the environment and recycling is very important.
2. Name 2 concepts that you have learnt today pertaining to design and describe why is it important in design?
I have learnt that we must know how to approach our audience before we actually come up with a proposal, that everyone plays a part to save the environment and recycling is very important.
2. Name 2 concepts that you have learnt today pertaining to design and describe why is it important in design?
One of the concepts is feasibility. You can have a big proposal but it may not be feasible. Eg, you want to clear all the rubbish in drains of Singapore. Do you have the money to do it ?
The second concept is originality. Eg, if Shop A sells chocolate and Shop B sells chocolate after seeing how much Shop A can gain. Most likely they will both lose out as it is the same. Some people will buy from Shop A and some will buy from Shop B. But, if Shop B sells sweets. They will get about the same amount of money as people would buy both the chocolates and sweets.
3. What is the 1 interesting thing that you have learnt today?
3. What is the 1 interesting thing that you have learnt today?
I have learnt that there are other means of making paper.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Photography
1) Different types of photography:
1) Cityscape Photography
2) Commercial Photography
3)Concert Photography
4)Digital Photography
5)Documentary Photography
6)Food Photography
7)Fashion Photography
8)Nature Photography
9) Night Photography
10)Wedding Photography
2) Equipments for photography
- 2 camera bodies
- Flash Card
- Laptop Computer
- Lenses
- Flash Unit
- Internet access
3) Aperture
Aperture of the lens is the diameter of the lens opening. It is controlled by an iris. The larger the aperture, more light will reach the image sensor/ film.
4) Focus
There are many methods of focusing, depending on the type of object being photographed. The eye of the object is the most important part of the thing to be captured.
5) Shutter Speed
It is the amount of time that the shutter is open.
6) ISO
Traditional photography(film): Indicates how sensitive film was to light. It was being measured using numbers. The lower the number, the lower the sensitivity the film. It causes you to take photos with finer grains.
7) Metering
Metering is something which involves the camera to take light level reading from the scene and selecting appropriate combination of shutter speed and apeture. This sets the required exposure value.
Centre-weighed: The whole of the scene first then central spot. The results are the average reading with extra weight given to the centre part. Some cameras allows the user to change the amount of weight given to the central area. About 60 - 80 % of the sensitivity is brought towards the centre part of the image. Making it great for portraits.
Spot Metering: Zone is an example of metering which takes readings from many different zones. The number of zones used can differ from one camera to another. This is useful for scenes with low contrast.
source; http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Beginners-Guide-to-Photography--Metering-6351
8) White Balance
It is removing unrealistic colour casts. The object that appears white in real life, will appear white in your photo. Camera white balance controls the "colour temperature" of a light source. It refers to the warmth or coolness of the white light. Eyes are very good at judging the colour white under different light sources. But, digital cameras often have many difficulties with auto white balance (AWB). A wrong WB can cause disgusting blue, orange and even green colour casts which are unrealistic and damages the beauty of the portraits. WB in olden photography(film) requires attaching a separate cast removing filter for each lighting condition. WB improves your photos under a wider range of lighting conditions.
9) Composition(Rules)
Pattern: Highlighting and emphasizing patterns makes the picture striking.
Symmetry: Strong composition and a good point of interest makes the picture striking.
Texture: It makes pictures come alive and become something like 3D.
Depth of Field: Isolates an object from the foreground or background, when using a shallow depth of field.
Lines: They draw the eyes to key focal points in the picture.
10) Techniques
There are a lot of techniques but I will only elaborate on some.
Sunlight - Natural sunlight provides one of the best lighting. But, too bright sunlight casts strong shadows. Overhead sunlight can remove some of the fine details on the face.
Flash - Your flash should be about 3 metres from the object you are taking. If too far, your photo will be dark. If too close, the bright light will delete the fine details.
Camera Positioning - The camera angle makes the shot more creative. Move the camera according to the object you are taking. Zoom in or out to change the composition.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Difference between Perspective, Isometric, Oblique and Orthographic Drawing
Perspective Drawing:
If you look at a straight road, the parallel sides of the road seems to meet at a point. This point is known as the vanishing point and has been used to add realism to art since the 1400's. If you want to draw a railway track that vanishes into the distance,rays from the points a given distance from the eye along the lines of the tracks are projected to the eye. The angle formed by these rays decreases with increasing distance from the eye. The picture below shows an overhead view of someone looking down the the track.
source;http://mathforum.org/sum95/math_and/perspective/perspect.html
Isometric Drawing:
Isometric Drawings is a 3D drawing. 3 sides of the object is shown in the drawing. We need to draw all the vertical lines at 90degree and all horizontal lines at 30 degree to the base line when drawing isometric drawing.
Oblique Drawing:
Oblique drawing is the most complicated 3-D drawing but the easiest to master. Oblique is not really a 3-D drawing but a 2-D view of an object with 'forced depth'.When using the oblique method, the side of the object you are looking at is drawn in 2-D. The other sides are drawn at 45 degrees but instead of drawing the sides full size, they are drawn with half the size. Creating a 'forced depth' realism to the object. Even with this 'forced depth', oblique drawings look very unreal. This causes it to be hardly used by professional designer and engineers.
Orthographic Drawing:
Orthographic Drawing is drawing about physical objects. House plans is a form of orthographic drawing. Orthographic drawings are different views of an object. An orthographic drawing is only one side. It takes a few drawings to show the whole object. It is useful to look at isometric drawings before doing orthographic drawing as it shows several sides at the same time. A lot of people find isometric drawings easier to understand.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Definition of theme - Environment
Environment is the natural world, as a whole or in a particular geographical area, esp. as affected by human activity. source: MacBook Pro Spotlight
This means that the whole world is our environment and it is being affected by our doings.
Environment is the aggregate of surrounding things,conditions, or influences; surroundings; milieu. source: dictionary.com
This means that the our surrounding is the environment and we influence it.
The surrounding is what is around us. We affect it and it affects us.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
1) ADMT means that the study of art,design,media and technology put together to be one subject. It is a subject that I think only SST offers as normal mainstream schools would offer Design and Technology(DNT).
2) An ADMT student should be always thinking outside the box. He/she should be always looking at new ways to improve a particular thing.
3) I want to be more creative as that is something I am not very good at. Sketching is also something I look forward too as I find it is very interesting as to how just a pencil can make your pictures so beautiful.
4) I should always think outside the box as that is what creativity is. I can start to try drawing on my own so that I have the basics before moving on to sketching.
2) An ADMT student should be always thinking outside the box. He/she should be always looking at new ways to improve a particular thing.
3) I want to be more creative as that is something I am not very good at. Sketching is also something I look forward too as I find it is very interesting as to how just a pencil can make your pictures so beautiful.
4) I should always think outside the box as that is what creativity is. I can start to try drawing on my own so that I have the basics before moving on to sketching.
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