Post 122 - by Gautam Shah
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Human body is continuously in some postural form. Postures are
transient body positions. Some occur involuntarily such as in sleep
or without one being aware or in control of it. Postures taken with
intent are very important for designers. Designers design products
with consideration of human postures. An interaction with a product
is through perception, recognition, admiration, reach, avoidance or
manipulation. Postures allow task handling. Posturing also
promotes expression, communication and social encounters with
individuals and groups of persons.
Postures are taken for change in body position, transition from place
to another, for reorientation, for exercise, for relaxation and for
engagement with spatial elements. Posturing is at the expense of
energy and so we avoid it as much as possible, unless it is for relief
of tedium or to regain equilibrium. One can reposition the objects,
reshape the surroundings, change the environment, and force recast
the connection with other beings or group.
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| Metric Live at Coachella Music Festival |
Most of the body postures occur by the movement of the limbs. But
these capacities differ with age profiles, physiological ailments and
from person to person. Postures need tools, amenities and
facilities. These help in terms of support, rest and for reach.
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| Similar chairs different postures |
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Certain body positions, patterns and movements suggest specific
emotions. Postures are reinforcing so create empathetic and
emphatic images, and so are exploited to gain understanding from
others. Postures are also used for offensive and defensive and
non-involvement purposes. Postures directly and abstractly convey
the state of interpersonal relationships, social standing, personality
traits such as confidence, submissiveness, and openness, current
emotional state and temperament.
Posture could have many variations within a basic theme. The
variations are micro postures or gestures which express or
communicate complex concepts metaphorically. Gestures or micro
changes of the body help tune in the sensorial perceptions. Gestures
are often precursors of major postural changes.
Designers, who create utility products, be they, architects, interior
designers, product designers, furniture designers, etc. use
postures and posturing capacities as aids for the function system. A
posture often requires physical support or an aid. But in many
situations a reachable support, its indicative presence or its
physical proximity (as an assurance) serves the same purpose.
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| Johnson Impeachment Committee each one in a different posture |
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Postures’ support structures of tools, amenities, facilities and
architectonic elements may not be versatile enough to provide all
the required proficiencies, some degrees of personal adjustments
are required to achieve the intended purpose. Designers generally
select anthropometric design parameters that are purposive to 90
percentile users.
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| waiting for Bus -different postures | |
Designing for postures is not sufficient one must perceive the
behaviour happening with it. Normally a designer designs for
important poses of behaviour sequences. But some flexibility
within the postural pose is required. The flexibility relates to minor
changes for relaxation, resetting the body rhythms and facility to
conduct momentary postural variations.
Postures are axially balanced or skewed. A balanced posture is
axially congruent, so is considered nominal position, but not
necessarily longer lasting one. A skewed posture reflects the
readiness to transit to another posture. This may be due to shift in
interest or boredom. Both systems of postures may need some
support management. In the first case the support must be subtle,
almost imperceptible, but in the second case the support should be
obvious one.
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