Overview

The Problem

Laptops have limited viewing angles causing unhealthy work conditions for the body.

Goal

Reduce posture problems when working on laptops.

Approach

Design a product that enhances laptop viewing angles while encouraging healthy work habits for the body.

Methods & Tools

UX & Human-factors research, Ethnography, User testing, Rapid Prototyping, Concept generation, 3D Cad design, Visual branding

Time

8 months (2018)

Overview

The Problem

Laptops have limited viewing angles causing unhealthy work conditions for the body.

Goal

Reduce posture problems when working on laptops.

Approach

Design a product that enhances laptop viewing angles while encouraging healthy work habits for the body.

Methods & Tools

UX & Human-factors research, Ethnography, User testing, Rapid Prototyping, Concept generation, 3D Cad design, Visual branding

Time

8 months (2018)

Background

The current digital age of work has given birth to new work cultures, laptops have replaced the work tools of old. Unfortunately, the strength of the laptop, being compact, has also left a downside to its design that has remained to this day; its limited viewing screen height. This constraint forces users into uncomfortable positions, usually hunching forward just to get a good view of the screen.

To add to the problem, people are spending more time at work on their laptops which leads to muscle aches and even posture problems. Just like a rubber band, the human muscle needs to be allowed time to “spring back” or recover. The constant strain will tire and weaken it. Orthopedists warn that the current increase of people with kyphosis, the medical term for a curved spine, may be linked to this current work trend.

The current digital age of work has given birth to new work cultures, laptops have replaced the work tools of old. Unfortunately, the strength of the laptop, being compact, has also left a downside to its design that has remained to this day; its limited viewing screen height. This constraint forces users into uncomfortable positions, usually hunching forward just to get a good view of the screen.

To add to the problem, people are spending more time at work on their laptops which leads to muscle aches and even posture problems. Just like a rubber band, the human muscle needs to be allowed time to “spring back” or recover. The constant strain will tire and weaken it. Orthopedists warn that the current increase of people with kyphosis, the medical term for a curved spine, may be linked to this current work trend.

The current digital age of work has given birth to new work cultures, laptops have replaced the work tools of old. Unfortunately, the strength of the laptop, being compact, has also left a downside to its design that has remained to this day; its limited viewing screen height. This constraint forces users into uncomfortable positions, usually hunching forward just to get a good view of the screen.

To add to the problem, people are spending more time at work on their laptops which leads to muscle aches and even posture problems. Just like a rubber band, the human muscle needs to be allowed time to “spring back” or recover. The constant strain will tire and weaken it. Orthopedists warn that the current increase of people with kyphosis, the medical term for a curved spine, may be linked to this current work trend.

The current digital age of work has given birth to new work cultures, laptops have replaced the work tools of old. Unfortunately, the strength of the laptop, being compact, has also left a downside to its design that has remained to this day; its limited viewing screen height. This constraint forces users into uncomfortable positions, usually hunching forward just to get a good view of the screen.

To add to the problem, people are spending more time at work on their laptops which leads to muscle aches and even posture problems. Just like a rubber band, the human muscle needs to be allowed time to “spring back” or recover. The constant strain will tire and weaken it. Orthopedists warn that the current increase of people with kyphosis, the medical term for a curved spine, may be linked to this current work trend.

User Experience Research

Observations

I first conducted observations of people while they were working on their laptops in various environments and with their permission I was able to document some of the observations. The trend I found kept repeating itself, people had similar forward head posture.

Observations

I first conducted observations of people while they were working on their laptops in various environments and with their permission I was able to document some of the observations. The trend I found kept repeating itself, people had similar forward head posture.

Survey & Interview

I conducted a survey on 50 individuals and interviews with 10 other individuals. The results supported what I had observed and majority had experienced similar issues when using their laptops.

Development

Prototyping & Testing

Based on initial ideation, I carried out prototype testing with several users to gather information on the way they would interact with the laptop and various mechanisms for elevating the screen.

Prototyping & Testing

Based on initial ideation, I carried out prototype testing with several users to gather information on the way they would interact with the laptop and various mechanisms for elevating the screen.