Goodbye sun, hello rain! It's raining season in Davis, so grab your umbrella. (That is, if you own one). Umbrella vary from color, size, and sturdiness. Through Ergonomics research, inventors discuss 5 areas in order to produce a good quality product. Let's see if umbrellas pass the test.
image source: http://www.umbrellas.net
Safety first. Safety is very important in all product making. We don't want to buy something that will harm us in any way. Umbrellas are safe. However, if you use it for other things, it's quite dangerous. Umbrellas have sharp tips that might poke you or others and metal springs that clip your finger if you close it wrong. The safety precaution should be of others, rather that of one self. Umbrellas will hurt people if used improperly. Open it away from others. You don't want to point them in the eye. Other than that, it's safe.
Comfort and ease of use is next. People will buy objects when it is comfortable to one's self and one's lifestyle. Because there is one way to use this object, we wouldn't think it is uncomfortable. However, if you are trying to juggle coffee, books, cell phones, and the umbrella itself, it's very uncomfortable. You are only left with one hand to do things or else you will get soaked by the rain water. Then you will be uncomfortable using the object. You hands will be cold and you are more likely to drop things. It's easy to open the umbrella. The standard umbrellas have one simple button you hold and then you extend the shaft. Two simple steps. However, the ease of using it may not be simple if you need to walk in the rain.
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| image source: http://www.uniqueexposures.com |
Performance and productivity may be the reason why umbrellas were invented. It serves one purpose, to protect one and cover from rain (sometimes sun). However, throughout the decades, the productivity level has been tweaked. You can use it as a cane, decoration, or props for dancing. But in the end, it is used to protect. Throughout cultural and countries, umbrellas have a universal meaning. The performance might fall short depending on what medium is used. When it is pouring rain, you will want to use an umbrella. Given. However, when there is rain and wind, the umbrella looses the battle. You are rarely protected from the rain and your back gets wet. The productivity value looses. Unless the umbrella is clear, you will not know where you are walking because you can trying to cover the front your face, which leaves the back open. It fails. Also, when it's windy, there is a high chance that your umbrella will prop open in an opposite direction which leaves you flying around to get it back to its normal shape before you get soaked. Again, if you loose the battle, you loose the umbrella. Money wasted.
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Lastly, we have aesthetics. From long and thin to short and small, umbrellas posses all sizes. They don't discriminate. There is a size for everyone depending on how one likes their umbrellas. Some like it tall and thin to accommodate more than oneself. Others like small ones for one and easy to stow away. There is one to match everyone's lifestyle. Designs also vary from panda's to polka dots to logos and different colors. Depending on if you like accessorizing with umbrellas, then you should purchase one. However, if you don't. you should pay someone to hold it for you.
You should consider the 5 ergonomic elements when purchasing an object. You don't want to have objects that are obsolete. With the 5 ergonomics research techniques, umbrellas has passed the test in good ways but fails in others. But make sure it will effective in your lifestyle. If umbrellas aren't your style, there are always raincoats, hats, jackets, or newspapers.
Or you can take advice from Rihanna.
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| image source: http://ritaballou.blogspot.com |
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