There’s no escaping the fact that most of us spend hours every day sitting, whether we’re working at a desk, playing on a couch, or even just relaxing after a tiring day. It might sound ironic since we’re sitting most of the time, but our bodies tend to feel sore even after just a few hours of that sedentary position. Our backs feel a bit painful and even our legs start to experience some tension. These are usually several factors, including bad posture and poor blood circulation, which means that single-purpose products can’t really address all these issues. Fortunately, this innovative modular footrest checks all the right boxes, bringing relief to your body, promoting good posture, and even helping save the environment, all in a single, elegant, and portable package.
It may have “footrest” in its name, but the VILNO FootRester is definitely more than just that. In fact, it’s a 3-in-1 product that combines the best of a footstool, a foot massager, and, of course, a footrest, in a modular design that also looks incredible in any setting, whether it’s in the office or at home. It checks all the right boxes, all at the same time to provide a pain-free sitting experience whether you’re working, gaming, or just spending hours in front of a computer or at a desk.
Workday Pain Relief – FootRester lifts your legs so hips and knees are aligned, for less pressure on the lower body.
Eliminate Foot Tension – FootRester provides a supportive and comfortable resting surface for your feet. An elevated position helps to relieve pressure and reduce strain on the muscles and tendons in your feet.
Activate your Muscles During Sitting – Small movements activate the muscles in your legs and feet, preventing them from becoming static and stiff.
Force yourself to Sit Upright – FootRester elevates your legs. It creates a more natural spine, hips, and legs alignment. This positioning with stretching helps to prevent slouching or leaning forward.
The cylindrical footrest, for example, not only provides a soft and comfortable place to rest your legs, it also elevates your legs in order to get you into a better posture that forces your spine, hips, and legs into a more ergonomic alignment, reducing the pain-inducing strain on your back. The adjustable bottom platform holds a memory pillow that will feel like heaven for your feet on one side, and foot massage rollers on the other side stimulate your feet to reduce tension and help you relax. It doesn’t stop there, however, because that same panel can rock back and forth, creating small movements that activate the muscles in your legs and feet to help promote blood flow and prevent them from getting stiff.
Given these features, you might be surprised at the VILNO FootRester’s elegant simplicity that belies its capabilities. Crafted from bamboo, the 3-in-1 footrest not only looks beautiful but is also durable as well. The covers for the foams are also easy to remove and machine washable, ensuring that they stay clean and hygienic for a long, long time. And with built-in handles, the footrest is easy to carry around the house or the office so you won’t have to sacrifice your health and comfort just because you have to sit somewhere else.
Sitting for hours is an unfortunate but inescapable fact of modern life, but that doesn’t mean you just have to grit your teeth and bear with the body pain that it creates. Designed by passionate innovators from Ukraine, the VILNO FootRester finally offers a solution that promotes good posture and relieves pain in your legs and feet, wrapped in a handsome wooden design that will make you the envy of the office.
Our reliance on smartphones these days means that we have another screen to pay attention to even when we’re already focused on the computer monitor in front of us. Productivity gurus naturally discourage anything that would distract us from the work at hand, but they don’t always consider cases where the smartphone is actually an integral part of that work. Rather than fighting the flow, some designs have instead embraced this kind of multi-screen setup, creating a special nook on our desks for smartphones. This rather lopsided monitor is one such example, keeping your mobile companion charged while also holding it up, putting it at a more comfortable eye level to stop you from bending and craning your neck so often.
It’s not uncommon to keep our phones on our desks, presuming office policies don’t bar you from having them out in the open. Disregarding real distractions from social media and incessant but unnecessary notifications, some people do need to keep tabs on their mobile devices for some information or communication, without having those apps clutter their work screen. At the same time, however, most of these people probably don’t want to leave work with a nearly empty battery because they forgot to top up the work while using it at work.
The NexMonitor addresses both use cases in a way that’s both more ergonomic and also a little more stylish. Rather than just a simple stand that props up the phone off the side of your workspace, the monitor actually holds up the smartphone at the same height as the screen itself. That saves you from having to look down and away from your monitor, minimizing the time it takes to glance at the phone. At the same time, it helps reduce potential neck strain and injury from repeatedly switching between a monitor at eye level and a phone closer to the desk’s surface.
The monitor holds the phone up almost by magic, but of course, it’s all about magnets. That clearly marks it for MagSafe-compatible phones, which are primarily recent iPhones, though the company also says that Android phones are welcome to the party. Presuming they support magnetic wireless charging. And yes, the NexMonitor also charges the phone while it’s up there, so it’s pretty much a vertical magnetic wireless charging pad attached to the side of a monitor.
The NexMonitor’s design is quite intriguing in how it doesn’t go for visual balance, though it is definitely stable in its construction. The “stem” of the monitor is off to the right side, nearer to the phone than in the middle. Even the stand itself isn’t centered, which could potentially stress out some people because of its asymmetrical composition. That stand is designed to match the size and the color of Apple’s Mac Mini and the new Mac Studio, but any other mini PC can also find a home there, even if it clashes with the brushed metal look. The NexMonitor was announced back in 2022 but has yet to become available for purchase, which unfortunately leaves plenty of opportunities for other monitor makers to put out something similar, presuming there’s actually a good market for such an ergonomic yet unusual design.
In today’s fast-paced world, capturing memories has become an integral part of our lives. Every second holds a unique experience worth preserving, from the beauty of a soaring kite against a clear sky to the soothing sounds of chirping cicadas on a summer day. Enjoying these little moments adds to the happiness quotient in our stressful urban lives. Understanding the importance of these precious moments, we are thrilled to unveil the latest addition to our product lineup: the P-Series Portable Thermal Print Camera, designed especially for children and students.
Combining the functionalities of a thermal printer, and camera the P-Series Thermal Print Camera is a versatile device that empowers young users to express their creativity and document their world in a unique way. Its sleek design features organic shapes that are visually appealing and ergonomic, ensuring a comfortable grip for extended use.
The thermal printing capability of the P-Series Thermal Print Camera surely adds an innovative twist to the traditional concept of photography. Gone are the days of waiting for photos to be developed or relying on digital screens to view your images. With this camera, users can snap a picture and instantly print it using thermal printing technology. The resulting prints have a unique vintage aesthetic, reminiscent of the classic Polaroid instant photos that have charmed generations. However, it is not a product that’s one of a kind. There are many more popular alternatives that have more testimonial appreciation.
One of the standout features of the P-Series Thermal Print Camera is its rapid photo-taking capabilities. Often, we find ourselves wanting to capture multiple shots in quick succession, only to be hindered by the camera’s sluggish performance. However, this camera addresses this issue by incorporating a meticulously designed viewfinder. The challenge lies in controlling the speed at which the viewfinder pops up. Through careful adjustment of the gear bite tightness and the precise amount of specialized damping oil used, the viewfinder achieves an optimal pop-up effect in just 1.2 seconds.
The viewfinder is not the only aspect that sets the P-Series Thermal Print Camera apart. Its model verification at the functional level ensures consistent performance and durability, allowing users to rely on their devices for countless adventures. Whether it’s capturing spontaneous moments during a school field trip or documenting creative projects, this camera is built to withstand the demands of active young users and is designed to be held for longer hours.
The P-Series Thermal Print Camera caters specifically to children and students, providing them with a creative outlet for self-expression and a powerful tool for documenting their lives. It combines the convenience of a portable thermal printer with the joy of photography, all in one sleek and stylish device.
In addition to its photography features, to cater to the inquisitive nature of a child’s inquisitive nature, the P-Series Thermal Print Camera can consider incorporating a search tool to enhance the overall user experience. With this functionality, young users can scan QR codes, search for additional information, or even translate text through the camera’s lens. This feature could promote curiosity and exploration, making learning an interactive and engaging experience in this innovative world. It would almost be like a smartphone for children but with limited features that solely help their development. These features would also stand out in the market.
Having said that, the P-Series Thermal Print Camera is a game-changer in the world of portable photography. Its unique combination of thermal printing, rapid photo-taking capabilities, model verification, and ergonomics make it an ideal companion for children and students. With every second of life worth recording, this camera ensures that no moment is left uncaptured. Let the P-Series Thermal Print Camera be your child’s gateway to exploring the world and immortalizing their memories in a truly tangible way.
As we’ve become more dependent on computers for our way of life, whether for work, school, or entertainment, we’ve also become more sedentary and bound to our chairs. Physical issues such as RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) and CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) have brought to light our less-than-healthy postures when sitting, especially in front of a desk, which, in turn, brought about a new class of ergonomic products, including ergonomic chairs. While the latter do aim to bring proper support to our backs and necks, they often require that the person actually adopt a proper posture, something that unfortunately doesn’t come naturally to most people. Rather than forcing people to adapt to the chair, this innovative ergonomic chair adapts to humans instead, automatically following and adjusting to the person’s body to bring full support, whether they’re sitting upright, leaning forward, or even reclining to rest.
There are plenty of ergonomic chair designs in the market today for workers, gamers, and everyone in between. What most of them have in common is a fixed shape of the backrest meant to support the sitting posture, with cushions for the back and neck to provide some comfort. Unfortunately, these designs presume that the person is already used to sitting correctly, which would ironically make the need for an ergonomic chair pointless. Different people have different sitting styles and some are more comfortable sitting one way over another. Rather than taking sides, NEWTRAL MagicH takes the neutral ground, pardon the pun, to provide proper support that adapts to you, not the other way around.
Ultra Adaptive Full-back Support – NEWTRAL MagicH supports your entire back in any position, reducing stress on your spine by 20%-50%.
Auto-Adjusting Headrest – Their auto-adjusting headrest seamlessly adapts to the contours of your neck, providing optimal support in any position.
The secret behind this seemingly intelligent chair is the auto-following backrest and its partner, the auto-following and adjusting headrest. These spring-loaded components contract when you’re sitting back or reclining, but they expand to give support to your back and neck once you start to lean forward. So whether you’re reclining to take a break, sitting a bit back for a more comfortable working posture, or leaning forward for an intense typing session, NEWTRAL MagicH provides the support your body needs to stay in good working condition and avoid injuries.
Say Goodbye to Leg Discomfort – Relax and stretch your feet during those long work sessions, promoting healthy blood flow and reducing the risk of leg and foot discomfort.
4D Extended Armrest – Are adjustable to your preferred height with a travel length from 5cm to 9cm, allowing you to find the perfect position that suits your needs.
And it doesn’t stop at the back and neck either. The NEWTRAL MagicH Pro includes an ergonomic foldable footrest to also give your legs and feet a break, while also promoting healthy blood flow. The Pro model’s 4D Extended Armrest also helps alleviate fatigue on your elbows, arms, and shoulders by letting you adjust the position of the armrest to your personal comfort. In fact, almost everything about the NEWTRAL MagicH can be adjusted to suit your body and sitting style, including the depth of the seat to the angle of the chair, reclining back as far as 134 degrees for a more comfy rest.
Revitalize Your Workspace – Their detachable tray provides the ideal solution, offering convenience and utility for both work and gaming.
Divided-stress-zone Cushion – This intelligent design ensures that your weight is evenly distributed, alleviating pressure on your thighs and promoting better blood circulation.
But wait, there’s more! NEWTRAL’s detachable laptop table lets you detach from your desk without actually detaching from your work or game. The built-in adjustable laptop stand lets you set up your computer just the way you like it, while holders for phones and tablets put your important apps and contacts within easy reach. There’s even a cup holder to make sure you stay hydrated with your favorite beverage. Why bend over backward to adjust to an ergonomic chair when there’s an ergonomic chair that can adjust to you? With the NEWTRAL MagicH auto-following ergonomic chair, you can say goodbye to pain and discomfort and say hello to healthy productivity, no matter which way you prefer to sit.
We are very dependent on our computers for both work and personal activities, but these computers were never designed with proper ergonomics from the very start. Keyboards and mice are the primary causes of hand and wrist injuries, while laptops force us to strain our necks. That’s not to mention how a sedentary lifestyle can also be the cause of many health issues ranging from obesity to diabetes. Buying ergonomic computer equipment and accessories is a luxury only a few can afford, especially those who can only use what their work provides. Working from home offers more flexibility, but desk space is sometimes even more constrained. Fortunately, it’s not that difficult or expensive to start practicing proper posture at work, thanks to this minimalist yet powerful laptop stand that lets you quickly switch between sitting and standing at the push of a button.
There is plenty of advice to stand while you work, but in reality, it’s impossible to keep that up for long periods of time. In the end, most of us will often switch between standing and sitting positions multiple times, which also means adjusting computers and tools for one or the other arrangement. That means wasted time and energy that could even discourage people from making the effort. That’s where the Maxtand E-Power sit-stand desk comes into play, offering smooth switching in just 6 seconds.
At its lowest point, the Maxtand E-Power, or MTEP, for short, raises your laptop to a comfortable level and frees you to use a more ergonomic keyboard and mouse while sitting down. With a push of a button, its innovative controlled seamlessly and quietly raises your laptop up to anywhere between 11.81 and 15.75 inches so you can work standing up at the height you’re most comfortable with. Distinct buttons for up, stop, and down make the Maxtand E-Power so easy to use that you spend less time fiddling with it and more time doing work.
More than just its automatic sit-stand capability, the MTEP offers the utmost flexibility so you decide how you want to work. The top panel measures 12.6×9.84 inches and can hold loads of up to 33lbs, more than enough to hold any laptop. It can even be made to lie flat, so you can use it as a keyboard stand while you have your monitor raised using a different stand or arm. You can also replace the panel with a VESA-compatible adapter plate to mount your screen and have the Maxtand E-Power lift it to a height that won’t strain your neck.
Best of all, the MTEP’s simple yet elegant appearance makes it blend well with any desk, and its minimalist design means it won’t take up much space either. And because of that small size, you can even bring it with you and set up an office anywhere, and you only need to plug it in if you want to adjust the height. At the same time, its high-quality aluminum material and sturdy construction give you the confidence to work the way you want with the tools that you have. This is especially important when working at home, where you have even more freedom to design your workspace in a more ergonomic fashion. So say goodbye to body pains and health problems with the Maxtand E-Power sit-stand desk, going for only $159 right now on Kickstarter.
For people whose lives and livelihoods depend on computers, having more than one or even two monitors is both a necessity and a luxury. You can only have so many screens on your desk, and you won’t be able to carry them around to bring your preferred workflow anywhere else. That’s why there has been a sudden increase of “multi-monitor laptops” on crowdfunding platforms, most of which are just short-term fixes to a lingering problem. Unfortunately, the ideal solution of having virtual screens floating before our very eyes is still a distant dream, but engineers and designers have been working on stop-gap options in the meantime. A new contender has just loudly announced its arrival, and while it looks a bit less ambitious than other AR solutions we’ve seen so far, it could also become the most usable and approachable of them all.
In a nutshell, Spacetop is a laptop without a screen, whose lone monitor is replaced by AR glasses similar to those marketed by companies such as Nreal. Similar to those AR platforms, it promises a nearly infinite screen space where you can have as many windows open as your eyes can see. A key difference, however, is that you still have the usual keyboard and touchpad that sits on top of the computing guts, exactly like a laptop, making it sound more realistic compared to “air typing” in VR or AR. But while Spacetop sounds like a dream come true, it might also become a disaster for the well-being of already taxed and strained computer users. To see the forest for the trees, here are five ways Spacetop can be a boon to computer users and five ways it can be a bane instead.
5 Reasons Space is Great for Business
Infinite Monitor
Let’s face it, most of us would probably like to have as much screen space as possible if it were only physically possible. Although you will most likely just focus on one to three windows at a time, having easy access to other information without having to click around is still a great time saver. Monitoring the home security camera off to the side, keeping an eye on social media trends, and just having entertaining or inspiring content within your view are a lot better than seeing the clutter on your desk all the time.
Since that’s not possible in the physical realm, Spacetop’s solution resides purely in the virtual one. It’s not exactly the first to make that proposition, but it could turn out to be the most accessible one. AR glasses that don’t weigh your head down, a normal physical keyboard and touchpad, and a potentially more approachable price tag could finally make that infinite screen space dream come true.
Total Privacy
One reason why you wouldn’t want to have too many physical monitors is that you can’t really block off other people from nosing around your business. That’s also why those multi-monitor laptop accessories aren’t ideal in public places because it only increases the risk of people seeing what should be private and secret information. There are laptops and monitors that now implement a sort of privacy screen, but that only works on a single monitor.
Spacetop solves this by removing monitors altogether. In your own virtual bubble, you’re the only one that can see the contents of your screen unless you start sharing it with others virtually. But while this does address the problem of unauthorized eyes peeking at your non-existent monitors, it also means those next to you who need to see them won’t be able to unless you hand over your glasses.
Better Posture
While laptops are great at being portable, they’re terrible at being comfortable. The fact that the screen is permanently attached to the keyboard means you’ll always be craning down your neck, even if you have a gigantic laptop screen. That’s why even laptop owners would attach a desktop monitor at the office or at home to relieve some of the pain coming from that improper posture. Spacetop doesn’t have a screen, of course, so you’re free to raise your head to a more natural and comfortable height. There’s no need for ergonomic monitor stands or arms because there’s no monitor to speak of in the first place.
Laser Focus
Given Spacetop’s design, it supports a very specific use case, one that revolves around productively using computer programs for work and a bit of personal time. It puts everything you need in front of you and around you, effectively blocking out visual distractions coming from the outside world. Whether you let virtual distractions get to you is something you get to decide on your own rather than having other people decide for you.
At the same time, Spacetop is a bit restricted in the applications you’ll be able to use. Its Android-based operating system and mobile hardware dictate what apps you’ll have access to, which won’t include every software under the sun, especially those that require Windows or macOS (unless you have access to a remote desktop of some sort). It also means little to no gaming, which might sound ironic for an AR platform. There will probably be some ways to get past these limitations, but it won’t be as convenient an experience as on a normal computer.
Complete Freedom
With basically just the lower half of a laptop, Spacetop removes almost all physical restrictions of computing. The world effectively becomes your office, and you can set up your workstation anywhere you want or need to. You might not even need a table if you can comfortably balance Spacetop on your lap, just like what a laptop should be able to do.
This practically means you don’t have to worry about not being productive just because you’re away from home or the office or that you won’t be able to respond to emergencies without your trusty desktop monitor. In a nutshell, Spacetop frees you to be able to do your work or hobbies anywhere, but is that really a good thing?
5 Reasons Spacetop is a Bad Idea
Diminished Awareness
Augmented reality technologies have progressed significantly over the past years, but they still retain one significant flaw. Most implementations still cover a large part of your vision, and Spacetop pretty much makes it worse by having dozens of windows blocking the full range of your vision. Yes, you can limit the number of windows to just a handful, but that wouldn’t be getting the best out of its capabilities.
This, in turn, could affect your spatial awareness, effectively making you blind to what’s happening around you. Yes, there will be parts of your vision that won’t be covered by windows or the glasses, but these will just be in your periphery. This will be especially dangerous in public places where you should be more attentive to your surroundings than when you’re at home or in the office.
Social Isolation
Being able to focus on work in the middle of a bustling cafe is a good thing, but doing that among family, friends, and peers might be in poor taste. Sure, we’ll find people who are always glued to their phones, even in a circle of friends, but Spacetop takes that a step further by actually advertising your detachment from present company.
Even if socially acceptable, such isolation can also have practical downsides in a workgroup setting. Spacetop is a very personal and private experience, which also means you can’t quickly show your work to others unless it’s being shown on an external display. Even then, you won’t be able to see their natural reactions to your presentation unless all of them are on a virtual call anyway. Then again, that lack of natural response has been a recurring problem with Zooms and Meets, and those happen even on a normal screen.
Ergonomic Concerns
The lack of a laptop monitor does give our neck a bit of relief, but Spacetop doesn’t exactly solve everything else. You won’t need to lean to look at the monitor, but this virtual space won’t stop you from slouching instead. Neck strain can also come from a different source this time, like when you have to constantly turn sideways to view the nearly infinite amount of screens at your disposal. You’ll also have to wear the AR glasses the whole time, which can become uncomfortable for long periods, even for those used to wearing eyeglasses. Lastly, having displays or lenses so physically close to the eyes might have even worse ramifications compared to regular monitors.
Spacetop makes the dream of an AR laptop a bit more approachable by reusing the familiar keyboard and touchpad combo. Unfortunately, this combo is also one of the big sources of repetitive strain injuries, and this screenless laptop doesn’t exactly address that. In fact, it could make things worse by encouraging a mindset that thinks working anytime, anywhere is actually a good thing.
Limited Utility
The Spacetop’s laser-focus advantage could also be one of its weaknesses. Most of the examples shown off so far revolve around what would be considered “regular” office work, like making presentations, analyzing charts, responding to emails, and the like. This definitely covers a large part of what people use laptops for, but it’s hardly the most important one, especially for those who need unlimited screen space and the freedom to work anywhere inspiration strikes.
Designers and creatives, in particular, would benefit from having a larger canvas to put their digital content and tools on, and Spacetop can definitely help with that. These users, however, also often need specialized peripherals to do their work, like pens, MIDI instruments, and the like. You can probably attach these to the Spacetop as you would with a normal laptop, but it will be difficult to use them because of the visual occlusion. Suffice it to say, Spacetop’s design and focus seem to be biased towards office and knowledge workers that toil for hours on documents and data, which they can now do anywhere with fewer excuses.
Unbalanced Lifestyle
Spacetop is an interesting application of AR technology that makes this dream of an infinite number of monitors more relatable and approachable, not to mention a little bit more affordable. It lets people carry the equivalent of a gigantic screen that no one else can see, enabling them to truly work anywhere. It’s kind of liberating but also a bit worrying because it pretty much empowers a workaholic mentality.
People’s computers are often overloaded with desktop icons, files, and browser tabs, reflecting their own mental overload and often unbalanced lifestyles. Instead of helping them gain control over these and learn how to properly manage these things, this screenless AR laptop pretty much just gives them more room to stack more tabs and windows and do more work. And this time, their bosses can probably expect or even demand work to be done anytime, anywhere since they’d have all the space they need. At the end of the day, healthy well-being is the most important factor in productivity, and that’s not something you can gain just by having more screen space.
Kitchen ergonomics is the science of designing a comfortable environment that adapts to the user and ensures smooth workflow with the least waste of time and energy. Ergonomics originates from the Greek word ‘ergon,’ which means work, and ‘nomos,’ which means laws. An ergonomic kitchen focuses on people, and it is the science of designing a comfortable environment for stress-free cooking. A kitchen is one of the home’s most functional areas where one needs to multitask and get involved in parallel activities like washing dishes, cooking, fetching ingredients from the refrigerator, operating appliances, and so on. Kitchen ergonomics aims to minimize body movements, enables one to maintain correct posture, and makes everyday cooking effortless so that it does not cause chronic pain or fatigue.
What are the advantages of an ergonomic design?
In recent years, ergonomics has become an essential feature in product design which is vital in determining the comfort of various products like a chair, tables, sofas, scissors, different types of accessories, and so on. In short, ergonomics or work laws are the optimizations of product design so that it works efficiently for human use. Similarly, an ergonomic space saves time and effort and ensures all kitchen activities function smoothly.
Designer: Unique Kitchen
What is an ergonomic kitchen?
These kitchens are designed as per the end user’s height, comfort, and working style. Note that kitchen activities like cooking, cleaning, dining, and entertaining might force us to stretch, and reach out for things, resulting in unnecessary bending and twisting or turning of the body that may result in stress. Hence, an ergonomic kitchen is designed to be easy on the back. It reduces the body movements and fatigue that one might go through while cooking and cleaning up.
Discover the science of some ergonomic principles that can make everyday cooking effortless. Factors like the height of various surfaces, distances, and placement of various items can improve the functionality and efficiency of the space.
Zone the Kitchen
The first step is to divide the kitchen into five zones: the cooking area (hob), washing area (sink), food preparation, and storage of perishable as well as non-perishable items. A good kitchen design understands the workflow of the user. The distance between these areas is considered so that one can shuffle between one activity and the other without crisscrossing or getting in each other’s way. For example, there should be ample space on both sides of the hob so that work people can simultaneously cook together if required.
An ergonomic kitchen triangle is a rule of thumb that has been used for decades and is fundamental to a good kitchen design. The three important areas of the kitchen include the refrigerator, the sink, and the hob; one can connect these areas with an imaginary line called the kitchen work triangle. There should be a clear, unimpeded path between these three points, and the distance between each of these areas should be minimized and unobstructed. This allows one to efficiently multitask between each of these areas for cooking, cleaning, and food preparation. Note that the length of each side of the triangle should range between 4 to 9 feet, and the length of all three sides, when added together, should range between 13 to 26 feet.
The user does not have to adapt to the standard height of the countertop as it is tailor-made and customized according to the height of the actual user. The height of the countertop, storage, sinks, and oven head cabinets are customized to make it easy to work without exertion on the back. Also, one should easily access the overhead cabinets, so they should not be very high on the wall. Furthermore, all the utensils should be within the reachable height, and one should be able to operate the appliances easily without straining the back. The optimal working height of the countertop ranges between 85 to 95 cm. To be more specific, the elbow’s height determines the functional countertop’s height. The elbow should form a right angle 10 cm above the countertop when standing. Note that if there are disability and mobility issues, the countertop should be of lower height as per the user’s comfort.
The depth of the overhead kitchen cabinets should be around 38 cm so that one does not bump their head into these cabinets while cooking. Plus, the clearance between the countertop and the overhead cabinets should be at least 60 cm.
Organization
A well-organized kitchen boosts productivity and has everything in the right place. A combination of well-organized cabinets, kitchen tools within hand reach, and cleverly designed pullouts create a clutter-free space. Introduce organizers in differently-sized drawers so that they can be used for storing different objects and creating a neat environment. All the spices, oils, and pans should be near the stove. The liquid soap, dish sponge, and dishcloth should be near the sink. The waste disposal should be near the sink so leftovers from plates can be disposed of.
Make optimum use of the corners of U-shaped or L-shaped cabinets inaccessible with corner modular accessories. Place cooking supplies and edibles in a single layer of drawers and segregate them as per their sizes to be visible in one go. A pullout pantry can ensure efficient storage and should be placed in one countertop corner. Place the plates, glass, cutlery cabinet, and dishwasher near the sink and store them neatly in the place where it is first used. Pullouts should open entirely to get a view of all the contents. Group all electric items, and it is recommended to go for awning-style top-hung cabinets and make them safe to use, considering they have the tendency to hit the head.
Note: If you are a left-hander or a right-hander, organize the kitchen as per your comfort and how you intend to use it.
Good Lighting
Lighting forms an essential component of an ergonomic kitchen design. There should be ample general lighting where ceiling and pendant lights should be centrally placed. Since the overhead cabinets are projected, they cast shadows on the countertop, and this dark spot makes it difficult to see. Make provision for concentrated lighting above the cooktop so that the surfaces are well-illuminated with LED strip lights. It makes food preparation and cleaning much easier, reduces shadows, and creates a bright countertop. Overhead lighting will provide the necessary ambient lighting. There should be a window in the kitchen that can bring in maximum natural light during the day. Ensure the cabinets do not obstruct the sunlight entering the kitchen.
Designer: Berla Mundi
Flooring
Hard flooring surfaces like tile and marble can take a toll on you. Softer flooring materials like cork and bamboo are accessible on the body, providing enhanced comfort and easing the joints. If the flooring is hard, opt for kitchen mats in front of frequently used areas like the sink and hob to add a little bounce to the step.
Their ergonomic solutions are bound to improve the interaction between men and the entire kitchen. Embrace the science of ergonomics in your kitchen design, as a good organization is an excellent method of minimizing unnecessary body movements while working in the kitchen.
Computers might be powerful machines that help improve our lives, but it’s almost a bit ironic that their extended use can actually cause us harm instead. Keyboards and mice are critical in being able to properly use these computers, especially desktop computers, but their designs are innately uncomfortable and even harmful to use for long periods of time. There are, of course, newer and more ergonomic designs for these devices, but those often require changing familiar habits and retraining muscle memory. For the rest of us, we have to settle for non-ergonomic mice, but fortunately, there are still ways to mitigate potential injury. This mouse pad, for example, comes with wrist support, but it changes the design quite a bit to improve the product’s value, both in functionality as well as aesthetics.
Mouse pads with wrist support aren’t exactly uncommon these days, and they even come in all sorts of designs and appearances. Although there are some people that doubt the effectiveness of these accessories, it’s still better than keeping our mouse hands unsupported all the time. The problem with the typical design of these wrist supports, however, is that the materials they use aren’t exactly made for longevity. Foams deform and become dirty, while gels burst and become useless. Mouse pads are cheap, of course, but this only means they contribute to unnecessary waste.
The Curble Mouse Pad is a unique design that sort of does away with the middle man in providing necessary elevation and support for the wrist. Instead of some material like foam or gel underneath some fabric, it uses a sort of foamy material that is hollow inside and divided into strips. The result is a more resilient type of material that can retain its form regardless of the pressure exerted on it while still remaining comfortable.
The end result is a mouse pad with a distinct design that’s not only built for durability but also for hygiene. The mouse pad itself is designed to be easily cleaned, and the wrist support can be detached for easier washing. In fact, the detachable design of the wrist support makes it possible to use it without the mouse pad part, something that could be more convenient on cramped desks or public spaces.
The modular design of the mouse pad is also useful in mixing and matching different colors and designs, which opens the door to potential branding and collaborations. Curble is definitely an interesting twist to the common and bland mouse pad design that achieves a distinct appearance while also improving its usability and longevity.
Unless you’re shaving your jaw, your hair trimmer doesn’t have to be in the shape of an ice cream cone. The conventional trimmer, with the long handle, isn’t particularly ergonomic when you’re using it in other parts of the body, so why do companies still make trimmers with that archaic template? Well, the QuickCut from Remington challenges the notion that a hair trimmer should be ‘handle-shaped’ by making it soap-shaped instead. Designed to provide a better grip with increased maneuverability, the QuickCut is perfect just because it lets you grip it naturally and move it around your body, whether it’s the top of your head, your body, or your ‘garden of masculinity’.
Designer: Remington Products
The QuickCut sports a puck-like shape that’s easy to grip and maneuver, sort of like an ergonomic mouse, a soap, or the gear stick of your car. Shorter and slightly wider than the traditional hair trimmer handle, this one allows you to naturally, and firmly hold onto it, easily allowing you to use it all over your body with confidence, while also ensuring the trimmer itself occupies less space when stored in your luggage while traveling too.
The way the QuickCut works is no different from any other clipper/trimmer. A motor and battery power the blades on the front, which can be used on their own for a clean shave, or with attachments for a fade or for retaining stubble or hair of a certain length. The power button sits right on top of the trimmer, but not immediately underneath your fingers. This means you’re less likely to shut the trimmer off by accident while shaving (something I do way too often with my current trimmer), and a charging port on the back lets you juice your QuickCut when its battery runs low. The entire trimmer can even be disassembled to make it easier to clean out hair from inside the trimmer every few weeks.
We often take for granted how some of the most common tools are poorly designed until we have to deal with them, presuming we even have one around. Granted, not everyone might need a shoehorn to put on their footwear, but when you do, you might end up scrambling to look for one near your door. Worse, you might end up injuring your back because, while it’s designed to help slip your foot into your shoes, a shoehorn doesn’t take the rest of your body into account. Of course, that’s only true for your run-of-the-mill shoehorns that try to be cute and look like a small foot or something similar. A more thoughtful design would be willing to throw away those conventions and break stereotypes, like this rather striking shoehorn that doesn’t look like a shoehorn at all.
Designer: Kairi Eguchi for Takeda Design Project
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You definitely wouldn’t recognize this shoehorn if you came across it either near the door or near a shoe rack. Even if you look closely at it, it would simply appear as a half-silver, half-clear rod that stands like a decoration to accentuate your home. It does serve that purpose when it’s not in use, but this “disappearing” shoehorn is definitely one of the most well-designed household tools of its kind.
When you pull out the metal part of the rod from its stand, you get a smooth, polished shoehorn that stands 700mm (around 27in) tall, tapering from the cylindrical handle down to a thin curved tip. At this height, it’s trivial to slip the shoehorn between your foot and your shoe without having to bend down precariously. It would have been simple enough to make a long shoehorn and call it a day, but the ALIGN LINE shoehorn uses that ergonomic design to create something not only useful but also beautiful.
The actual shoehorn is literally only half of the whole product. The other half is a clear acrylic holder that mirrors the shoehorn in shape. The transparent material of the stand creates a distinctive contrast with the stainless steel shoehorn, making it appear as if it’s floating in mid-air. It also helps the design blend with its surroundings, matching with whatever theme or motif you might have going in your home. The dome base is also made from stainless steel and has a low center of gravity to provide stability to the structure. It sits well below the metal tip of the shoehorn, reinforcing that illusion of a piece of metal floating in your house.
The invisible shoehorn’s thoughtful design carries over to the meticulous attention paid to crafting this tool. The shoehorn is carefully finished to ensure a smooth surface that won’t snag and tear delicate socks or stockings when you use it. Small details like these may be almost invisible to the eye but have a big impact in making this steel and clear shoehorn not only an ergonomic tool but also a thing of beauty.
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is definitely more than just that. In fact, it’s a 3-in-1 product that combines the best of a footstool, a foot massager, and, of course, a footrest, in a modular design that also looks incredible in any setting, whether it’s in the office or at home. It checks all the right boxes, all at the same time to provide a pain-free sitting experience whether you’re working, gaming, or just spending hours in front of a computer or at a desk.
