| 2006 marked my 11th year in the business of | | | | favor and invest in a Neutral Posture chair ( |
| graphic and web design and also the first year I | | | | This is by far the best chair I've ever owned and |
| started having trouble with repetitive strain | | | | well worth the close to $800 I paid for it (I |
| injuries. Luckily, I've been able to avoid the | | | | actually purchased my through as there wasn't a |
| dreaded carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition in | | | | distributor close by to me). Like everything else in |
| which the median nerve is compressed as it | | | | the ergonomic world, consider it an investment in |
| passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. I | | | | your health and well being. |
| was always particularly aware of ergonomic | | | | One of the best things about the Neutral Posture |
| issues, which could cause such injuries, so I made | | | | chairs is the variety and options. I ended up with |
| sure to always have proper arm and wrist | | | | one of their 6000 Series chairs, with gel arm |
| support. However, simply spending too much time | | | | rests, extra seat padding, and a foot rest. They |
| in front of the computer, something designers like | | | | also have a wide variety of fabric colors to match |
| myself freely admit to, can cause CTS and many | | | | any décor. |
| other injuries. | | | | I'd highly recommend checking out their website |
| Of Mice and Repetitive Strain Injuries | | | | and downloading chair specs, then trying to find a |
| I had purchased a Logitech thumb trackball mouse | | | | dealer near you to try them out. For long hours |
| ( about 5 years ago. Although a little weird at | | | | designing, you really can't beat them. |
| first, I soon got very used to this mouse and it is | | | | Desk Do's and Don'ts |
| probably one of the reasons why I've been able | | | | There are really only a handful of things you need |
| to avoid CTS. However, earlier in the year I | | | | to remember when your considering a desk for |
| started to experience pain in my thumb, which | | | | your computer workstation, and it's my opinion |
| worsened over the course of 2 months. I | | | | that you should buy your chair first, then get a |
| continued to use the mouse even though the pain | | | | desk. |
| kept getting worse. Eventually, my thumb swelled | | | | First is the height of the desk. Adjustable height |
| up to two times its regular size and became so | | | | will be the most ergonomic you can get – |
| excruciatingly painful that I could not use it at all. | | | | that way, no matter whether you're short or tall, |
| Nothing seemed to help with the pain – | | | | or if other people will also be using the same |
| anti-inflammatory drugs, topical creams, ice, etc. I | | | | workstation, the desk can adjust to |
| switched to using my left hand with a regular | | | | accommodate. When seated, your chair arm |
| mouse, which made working on design projects | | | | rests and the level of the keyboard surface |
| twice as hard. I ended up getting acupuncture and | | | | should be in line. This is key to ergonomic body |
| a special liniment to reduce the swelling in my | | | | alignment. Having the arm rests be below or |
| thumb, but the trackball was officially retired. I do | | | | above the surface of the keyboard area will |
| think the trackball has a place in ergonomics, but | | | | cause strain in the body (usually in the neck, |
| not for the intensive use of a designer. Perhaps | | | | upper back, and shoulders). If you can't find (or |
| their new NuLOOQ Navigator might be something | | | | afford) a completely adjustable desk, there are a |
| to try out in the future, although it's main purpose | | | | number of desks out there that have a pull out |
| is to work in conjunction with a regular mouse). | | | | keyboard surface or "drawer". You could also |
| The next mouse I tried was the Evoluent | | | | purchase an adjustable keyboard tray separately. |
| VerticalMouse ( I had done a lot of research after | | | | Just make sure if you do, it has an are to rest |
| the "thumb tragedy" on alternatives to the | | | | the mouse, and that it will still align properly with |
| standard, clunky mouse and had read positive | | | | your chair arm rest. |
| reviews on the Evoluent. The price did seem a bit | | | | Another aspect of height is the top surface of |
| high ($75, and $105 for the left-handed version), | | | | the desk, where you set your computer monitor. |
| but I took a chance anyway. I used the mouse | | | | Most good monitors have adjustable height, but |
| for about 2 weeks but began to experience more | | | | you should look for a desk where the top surface |
| hand and thumb pain. I realized that while I was | | | | is not unreasonably high or way too low for you. |
| concentrating on a design project, I would be | | | | Your monitor should be between 18" – 30" |
| gripping the mouse fairly hard. Also, the mouse is | | | | from you and your eye level should be at the top |
| quite large and I have small hands, so it didn't end | | | | or just below the top of your screen. |
| up being the best fit for me. | | | | Additionally, you should think about the placement |
| For me, the winner in the mouse category was | | | | of your desk in your work area. Be careful of |
| Apple's Mighty Mouse ( Thankfully, the company | | | | windows or very bright lights, which may add |
| finally realized the importance of a 3 button | | | | glare to your computer screen. |
| mouse and its slim design was a perfect fit for | | | | Ergonomics Is Your Friend |
| my hand. Within a week of using it, I no longer | | | | There is an excellent workstation ergonomics |
| experienced any hand pain. | | | | checklist available online here: [ This is a great |
| I also must note the value of a Wacom graphics | | | | starting point to learn more about ergonomics and |
| tablet. These tablets do come with a regular | | | | how your current area might be improved. |
| mouse, but the real advantage is of course with | | | | Once you do have an ergonomic workstation, it's |
| the pen. With a little bit of practice, you can learn | | | | important to achieve maximum benefit by taking |
| to use the pen for all the functions you would use | | | | regular rest breaks and performing a few simple |
| a mouse for and many designers claim that the | | | | exercises to avoid any long-term injuries. You can |
| tablets are about as ergonomic as you can get. | | | | find some of these exercises here: |
| My own personal choice is to use a combination | | | | I've covered only the minimum of ergonomic tips |
| of the Might Mouse and the Wacom tablet. Even | | | | in this article (and they're all geared towards |
| research proves that ergonomic variety in work | | | | designers). To learn more, I highly recommend |
| tasks usually makes for more comfort. | | | | conducting more of your own research or |
| Musical Chairs | | | | consulting with an ergonomics specialist. However, |
| I feel like an expert now in chairs only because | | | | I hope that the information presented is enough |
| I've been through about 10 of them in the last 3 | | | | to get you moving in the right direction towards a |
| years. I won't even go in to which ones didn't | | | | comfortable work space and might help other |
| work and why. I'll save you the trouble and cut to | | | | graphic and web designers to avoid repetitive |
| the chase. If you want ergonomics in a chair, and | | | | strain injuries and other computer work related |
| you're a designer, and you work 8 (or more) | | | | problems. |
| hours a day in front of a computer, do yourself a | | | | |