EXPERIMENT No.

TITLE: Case study on aesthetic and ergonomics consideration in product design.

AIM: To study about aesthetic and ergonomics consideration of thermos bottle.

INTRODUCTION:
Design for ergonomics and aesthetics is a successful design process that involves producing
excellent designs while considering human factors and the appearance of the product when
designing. It incorporates all the elements of ergonomics and aesthetics, such as comfort and visual
appeal to produce successful products. Today, many designers in the designing industry apply the
design for ergonomics and aesthetics to produce appealing products that meet the expectations of
the consumers. Design for ergonomics and aesthetics balances different elements such as durability,
ecology, aesthetics, safety, and ergonomics to form quality designs.

Aesthetic and ergonomic considerations are essential in the design process as they play a
significant role in creating products that are functional, safe, and visually appealing.

Aesthetic considerations:

Color: Color plays an important role in the aesthetics of a product. It can influence the mood,
emotions, and perceptions of the users. Color should be used carefully to enhance the product's
appeal and highlight its features.
Form and shape: The form and shape of a product also play a significant role in its aesthetics.
It should be designed in a way that is visually pleasing, functional, and fits the product's
purpose.
Texture: Texture adds depth and character to a product. It can create a unique user experience
and can be used to communicate the product's quality and durability.
Proportion: Proportion is the relationship between the different elements of a product. It should
be designed in a way that creates a sense of balance and harmony.
Ergonomic considerations:

Comfort: The product should be designed with the user's comfort in mind. It should fit the
user's body and allow them to use it without experiencing discomfort or pain.
Safety: The product should be designed with safety in mind to prevent injuries. It should be
designed with features such as non-slip surfaces, rounded edges, and proper ventilation.
Accessibility: The product should be designed to be accessible to users with disabilities. It
should be designed to accommodate different users' needs, such as those with visual or hearing
impairments.
Efficiency: The product should be designed to be efficient and easy to use. It should be designed
with features such as intuitive controls, easy-to-understand instructions, and easy-to-reach
components.
In summary, aesthetic and ergonomic considerations are essential in the design process as they
influence the user experience, usability, and safety of the product. Designers need to carefully
consider these factors when designing products to ensure they are both visually appealing and
functional.

Benefits of DFE:

Since ergonomics concerns improving efficiency, it has many benefits. If the DFE is effective, tasks,

systems, and products that result are efficient. DFE saves on time and increases accuracy because it

makes products, systems, and tasks efficiently. Many benefits result from the integration of DFE in
product design. DFE reduces the chances for injuries because one uses minimal time. The

incorporation of DFE in product design results in quality and carefully designed products. Products

that result from DFE impress consumers because they meet their aspirations, needs, and desires.

DFE is beneficial in that it produces safe, easy to use, comfortable, and productive products (Pikaar,

Koningsveld & Settels, 2011). Due to the comfort enjoyed when using DFE products, consumers

rarely get fatigued. It is a benefit in that DFE reduces fatigue as experienced from the use of DFE

products.

Impacts of DFE on manufacturers:

DFE has several impacts on various users, such as manufacturers and customers. Research shows
that the impact of DFE on manufacturers is largely positive. Effective DFE makes manufacturers
increase their output because DFE products are highly marketable. Due to this, it not only improves

the output of manufacturers but also their earnings. Also, the cost of production, emissions, and

wastages are reduced when the DFE is integrated into the designing and manufacturing process.

Impacts of DFE on customers:

Poor DFE may result in low quality and inefficient products, systems, or tasks, thus causing the

failure of firms that incorporate DFE (Pikaar et al., 2011). DFE affects customers in several ways,

such as satisfying their needs if effective. Successful DFE meets the expectations, desires, and needs

of customers through efficient systems or tasks and quality products. Moreover, DFE reduces

negative health impacts on consumers by allowing them to clean and reusable products. Since DFE

products are durable and reliable, customers utilize them wholly without waste.

Results of poor DFE:

Results of poor DFE can be fatal depending on the nature of the tool or system designed via the

criteria. When tasks and tools have poor DFE, users face the most challenges. Poor DFE affects

individuals personally because it puts the body at risk. Green and Jordan (1999), suggest that

musculoskeletal disorders, occupational injuries, and illnesses are serious health problems that result

from poor ergonomics. Poor ergonomics is also widely known to cause back injuries to users.

Profitability of DFE:

DFE is profitable because it improves the efficiency of activities in an organization. Integration of

DFE equals profitability, especially where an organization adopts DFE products to improve

employees’ interface with the machine. Workstations and telephone accessories that are designed

according to DFE guidelines are good examples that demonstrate the profitability of ergonomics

and aesthetics in design. This is because they save time, are comfortable and extremely efficient.
Good and poor DFE:

Both good and poor examples of DFE exist, although many overlook good ergonomics and only

concentrate on poor ergonomics. Examples of good DFE range from simple DFE products such as

two-handed teapots and the shape to fit supermarket baskets to complex designs of hybrid cars and

Intel. On the other hand, poor DFE is evident from poor examples of ergonomics such as weird tap

designs, levers on mixer taps, arrows that do not point and confusing words mainly on road signs.

Case Study 1:

Ergonomics is the study of designing more human-friendly products, systems or processes for
human. By extending this concept to robotics field, we propose robot ergonomics which is a
transdisciplinary approach that brings together roboticists, product designers, and architects to
solve numerous unsettled research problems or technology bottlenecks in robotics community
through designing products for robots. This paper focuses on a case study of chair design for
Roomba. Seven design criteria are proposed and intensive experiments are performed to
validate the criteria using 22 chairs. Based on such empirical design strategy, three generic
principles (i.e., observability, accessibility, and safety) of chair design are extracted for
Roomba.

Case Study 2:
This paper is study on the ergonomics analysis that focusing on aesthetics characteristic and
the better user-experience. In this study, a survey was conducted in order to meet the customers’
requirements, which the survey has involved 93 respondents. The survey includes the 6
requirements which is the physical design of the smartphone, which consist of the Reachability,
Comfortability, Thickness, Weight, Surface and Discomfort. Besides that, the questionnaire
also on the preferable location of the location of Volume Button, Lock Button and Home Button
or Fingerprint Scanner. Based from the survey conducted, ergonomics analysis by using
Aesthetic Ergonomics was used to determine on which of the screen size that user experience
lack of ergonomics value. Also by using the survey data gained, 7 concept designs have been
developed, and was evaluated, by focus group that consist of 10 people, 7 of the people are
currently studying in Engineering field which major in Design Manufacturing, meanwhile 3
others considered as consumer. They being asked to choose 3 from the 7 concept design
developed that they considered as the best and given comment for further improvement. The
highest 3 of concept design selected are the concept design 4, 6 and 7. The changes are needed
to the fingerprint scanner that needed to be relocate. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)
method was used to select the one best concept design of the improvise design of the
smartphone.
SUMMARY:

Case study 1 focuses on a case study of chair design for Roomba. In this seven design
criteria(viz. Functionality, Usability, Aesthetics Durability, Accessibility, Sustainability,
Innovation) are proposed and intensive experiments are performed to validate the criteria using
22 chairs. Case study 2 summarizes the aesthetic and ergonomic considerations in case of smart
phone. It focuses on the ergonomics analysis that focusing on aesthetics characteristic and the
better user-experience.

CONCLUSION:

After taking reference from the above two case studies and learning in detail about the aesthetic
and ergonomics considerations, the same for my product i.e. the thermos bottle is as follows:

Aesthetic considerations:

Color and finish: The color and finish of a thermos bottle should be visually appealing and
reflective of the product's brand identity. The bottle's finish should also be resistant to scratches,
scuffs, and other wear and tear. For example, we can use a bottle that features a classic stainless
steel finish that is both stylish and durable.
Shape and size: The shape and size of a thermos bottle should be designed to fit comfortably
in the user's hand and cup holder. It should also be aesthetically pleasing and complement the
product's function. For example, a bottle that has a slim and tall design that is easy to grip and
fits most cup holders.
Branding: The branding and logo of a thermos bottle should be prominently displayed and
well-designed to make it easily recognizable. For example, the Hydro Flask Insulated Water
Bottle features a sleek and minimalistic design with the company's logo prominently displayed
on the side. For example, a bottle that features a sleek and minimalistic design with the
company's logo prominently displayed on the side.

Ergonomic considerations:

Comfort: The thermos bottle's design should be ergonomic and comfortable to hold, even when
full. The handle and grip should be designed to provide a secure and comfortable hold. For
example, a bottle features a comfortable grip handle that makes it easy to carry and pour.
Safety: The thermos bottle should be designed with safety features to prevent accidental burns
or spills. It should have a secure and leak-proof lid and be made of materials that can withstand
high temperatures. For example, a bottle that features a spill-proof lid that prevents leaks and
spills, and a double-wall stainless steel construction that keeps drinks hot or cold for hours.
Efficiency: The thermos bottle should be designed to efficiently keep beverages at the desired
temperature for an extended period. The size and shape should be optimized to minimize heat
loss. For example, a bottle has a narrow neck and insulated lid that helps to prevent heat loss
and keeps beverages hot for up to 24 hours.
Accessibility: The thermos bottle should be accessible to all users, including those with
disabilities. It should be designed to accommodate different users' needs, such as those with
grip or mobility issues. For example, a bottle has a large handle that makes it easy to hold and
pour, even for users with grip or mobility issues.
In summary, a thermos bottle's design should prioritize both aesthetic and ergonomic
considerations to ensure that it is visually appealing, comfortable to use, and safe. By
considering these factors, one can create a thermos bottle that meets the needs of its users and
enhances their overall experience.