Classroom Furniture & Computer Use

Teachers, Governors and Heads have fought long and hard to increase the numbers of computers within their schools. As well as the obvious benefits of supporting learning and keeping up-to-date with essential IT skills, they are also one of the criteria by which schools are judged today. The number of computers per student has become a measure of a school’s status and a marketing tool that schools promote to prospective parents and pupils.

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How Swing Arms Benefit A Workplace Environment

Product design is a varied and diverse discipline encompassing the creation of everything that we take for granted, from toasters to cars and from office chairs to coffee cups. A new category of product that could be said to be particularly challenging to designers is IT / furniture accessories and in particular supports for monitors. These products have emerged as new concepts during the last fifteen or so years to improve the experience of using technology from a human and technical point of view. Read More...

Why use a computer monitor arm?

When you purchase a flat screen monitor there will pretty much always be a plastic stand supplied by the screen manufacturer that can be used to prop the monitor up on your desk. So why, in the last ten to fifteen years, has a whole industry emerged to offer an alternative to these manufacturers’ stands? Is there really much added advantage in purchasing a computer monitor arm? We take a look here at some of the benefits to help you decide. Read More...

Computer Holder & Terminology

There is a danger, within any sector or industry, that it becomes all too easy to develop a language full of abbreviations and acronyms that cease to make sense to those from outside of that group. The language used (taken for granted by those “in the know”) can exclude and confuse others. And in some cases a term can become dated and cease to make sense to those outside the “industry club”. Read More...

Ergonomic Guideline Policy

On his election trail Barack Obama pledged to improve ergonomic regulations, “we’re going to have a government that makes sure workers aren’t put at unnecessary risk” he is reported to have said. Nearly one year on from his election to the presidency of the United States little or no advances are apparent. Small wonder given the circumstances and issues that Obama was confronted with upon taking up office: from war in Iraq and Afghanistan to stem cell research, healthcare reform, not to mention a deepening global recession. Read More...

What Constitues Good Ergonomic Design?

According to the Ergonomics Society ergonomics is “the application of scientific information concerning humans to the design of objects, systems and environment for human use. Ergonomics comes into everything which involves people. Work systems, sports and leisure, health and safety should all embody ergonomic principles if well designed.” Read More...

Are you sitting comfortably?

What is the accepted advice when it comes to setting up your seating position and placement of your computer equipment? Is there a consensus on best practice within the workplace? If you work for prolonged periods at a Visual Display Unit, more than about four hours a day, there can be associated health risks if you don't get this right. Read More...

Can I wall mount my flat screen?

When TVs and monitors took the form of a bulky piece of furniture they used to dominate a room. With the advent of flat screen technology they can now be fixed to a wall as a simple way of maximising interior space. However, the prospect of mounting an expensive piece of kit to a wall can be daunting: Is the wall strong enough to carry the weight of my screen? What kind of fixings can be attached to the back of my screen? Read More...

Bringing the showroom into the Digital Age

What will be the impact of Video Conferencing Technology on more traditional forms of meeting clients and demonstrating products? Will technological advances and concerns about the environment reduce business travel and the need for face-to-face contact?
The death of the showroom (as we know it) has long been predicted as a consequence of improved technology: websites are proclaimed to be “virtual showrooms” in the internet age; improved communication through increased up-take of video conferencing; simulated constructions of interiors with furniture in-situ all seem to be reasons not to invest in an expensive facility in a prime location. Read More...

Office Ergonomics and Ergonomics in the workplace

Over the last few decades ergonomic product design for the workplace has evolved to include new concepts and solutions to help improve the comfort, health and general wellbeing of those who work with technology in the workplace. This evolution has been partly driven by legislation: Under the Health and Safety at Work Act, of 1974, employers have a duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees. Read More...