Redesigning

the resting chair

Tsz Chung Lau (Caelum)
Redesigned
Resting chair
- Clear interpretation on the
resting purpose
- Prototype in 3D modeling
- Preview of the product in
visions
- Sustainable modification Redesign of Lounger Chair
Prototype in 3D model
 Brief
In our daily life, most of the people put a lot of efforts and improvement into the working space.
However, resting area is also one of the significant factors to maintain healthy posture while the
muscles and body structure could be affected on presenting resting status. Comparing to many
modern funiture, working chair has more considerations with human ergonomics and posture health.
The focus of resting chair has a larger ratio on stylistic ideas and aesthetical thoughts. Still, keeping the
negative influences in health day after day with years can bring a huge damage to human body. With
the development of ergonomics, its improvement should be covered.
 Contents
The presentation will be focused on the four areas.

1. Analysis
2. R.E.B.A Assessment
3. Procedure and idea
4. Anthropometric data
 Analysis
With the further considerations, the analysis on research is necessary
before starting any actual change of design. The tasks here will separate
two parts which included the R.E.B.A assessment and the fundamental
principles of interaction to understand the insufficient factors of the
contemporary resting chair.
 Principles of D.O.E.T
(Analysis on Lounger chair)

- Affordances
- Signifiers
- Mapping
- Feedback
- Constraints

The analysis will be base on one of these

product.
Random images of lounger chair in Google
 Affordances
1. The seat - Body resting for
sitting and lying Position
2. Backrest - Resting in fowler
Position
3. Folding structure - Folding
the product for easy stacking
and storage
Signifiers
1. Adjustable structure - The
adjustable parts indicate the use
of the chair for the desired fit
2. Stable structure - Imply the
supporting function and guide
with resting purpose
3. Signs - Adjustable sign shows the
amount of angle with marks
 Mapping Feedback

1. Chair back - Supporting 1. Structure - Folding action

the back of muscles to relax
the body
2. Resting space - Use
resting chair by building up
a unique space to take rest
make the different using
way
2. Comfort level - Adjusting
structure angle helps finding
the appropriate posture
 Constraints
1. Mechanics - Fixed
structures limited the angle
of the posture
2. Area - Usual approach only
limits to provide for one
user
 R.E.B.A Assessment of a Resting Chair
One of the effective ways to determine the pros and cons of a resting chair is to
do the R.E.B.A assessment. The task is designed as a rapid entire body
assessment created by Dr. Alan Herman. With the modern development, the
different design approaches on a resting chair have published with some
decorative considerable which can cause inappropriate experience to the users.
Therefore, the assessment would help us to find out these posible factors and
possibilities to the redesign.
❖ Neck: 2
❖ Trunk: 3
❖ Leg: 1
Posture Score A: 4
+Force load: 1
Score A: 5
❖ Upper Arm: 3
❖ Lower Arm: 2
❖ Wrist Position: 2
Posture Score B: 5
Coupling Score: 2
Score B: 7
❖ Score A: 5
❖ Score B: 7
❖ Table C Score: 8
❖ Activity Score: 0

R.E.B.A Score: 8
 Result
After the research and analysis, there is information for the brainstorming and
constructing concepts. For instance, the structure and adjustable range of the
resting chair are very vital factors to ergonomics while these affects the body
posture and the comfort level.

Besides, R.E.B.A assessment also indicate the insufficient of the using

experience. The final R.E.B.A score of a modern lounger chair is 8 which means it
is high risk and recommend to change. The data tells that the importance of
posture angle and how it works.
Redesign of
Lounger chair
❖ Conceptual bone
structure
❖ Modern Decoration
❖ Adjustable
❖ Effective and high level
comfort
 Affordances
1. Similarities to current
lounger chair - The basic
body structure, adjustable
structure, soft material for the
body contact
2. Backrest - Bone structure
that fit the human spine
3. Stable structure - The
concave and convex shape allow
the body parts maintain posture
Signifiers
1. Touch sensor - The three sensors
can adjust the different parts of the
chair. It indicates the use for the
desired height
2. Supporting structure - Imply
the supporting function and maintain
comfort with the body posture
3. Safety - The concave and convex
shape can hold the body on the chair
from falling out
 Mapping
1. Adjustable structure - Three
parts of these structures can be
adjust and the relationship with
height also changes
2. Resting space - Its design and
height also fit to build up a area
with most of the modern desk or
decoration purpose
Feedback
1. Sensor - Each sensor can adjust to
the different parts and the
combination of their angles might
also get the user a specify posture
2. Various use- Adjusting structure
angle helps finding the appropriate
posture which included sitting, lying
and fowler position
 Constraints

1. Non-detachable structure - The structures are fixed which

means the product is designed with safety and accuracy

2. Integration - The whole product cannot be fold and this avoid

the human errors and damage with danger concern.
 Conceptual Model
3.
1. Spine concept
2. Touch sensor for
adjustment
2.
3. Seperated parts of
structures
1.
 Procedure and idea

Step 1

The design start

with a curve line
as the first idea
and brainstorm.
 Procedure and idea

Step 2

Change the curve

line into model and
start to think about
the structural
concept.
 Procedure and idea

Step 3

Starting to build up
the seat and the
main structure.
 Procedure and idea

Step 4

Finishing the
structure and
combining the
concept of the
adjustable
system.
 Procedure and idea

Step 5

Finding the
appropriate
materials for each
part of the chair.
 Procedure and idea

Final Step

Finishing up the
design and
lighting. Adjusting
the details.
 Anthropometric data
A conceptual model prototype should not be only about the ideas but it
should also cover the necessary data for knowing and predicting the
outcomes. The design is separated with the three main adjustable
structure as an integration system, so the data of statue, should height
and leg length would be our focal points in order to make each part of
size appropriately.
Stature and
Shoulder Height
data
With this data, the best solution for the
length data in the design would be separating
size into Small, Medium and Large to cover all
the users. However, making an appropriate
size to cover as many as users we can is also a
wayout. In this case, the 50th percentile
would be a good option. The chair length
could be set at 72”. The head seat part could
be around 13” and middle part could be set at
15”.
The Leg Length,
Seated data

For the leg seat, the 50th

percentile would also be the pick.
Since the chair length set at 72”, the
length at the last part of the chair
could be around 44”.
 Data concept
For this product, it could not be the 100% satisfied all the users from different length
and size. The best way to solve ergonomics concern is still the customizing design for
individual. The product aim to cover a specific group of people and it is adjusted to
cover as many as the number.

In order to use it effectively, using the sensor correctly and adjust the angle that fit
the personal need. There are three parts in the system are designed for the
adjustment. The first part is for the head, neck and shoulder. The second part is for
the back and lumbar. The last part is for the buttocks and legs.
 Cited Work
Norman, Don. The Design of Everyday Things. Basic Books, 2013.

Bridger, R S. Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics. Boca Raton, Fl, Crc Press, Taylor & Francis
Group, 2018.

Gordon, Claire C. “Anthropometric Data.” Mar. 1989,

multisite.eos.ncsu.edu/wwwergocenterncsu-edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2016/06/Anthropometr
ic-Detailed-DataTables.pdf.