Prefer a Plain Product or an Ergonomically Designed One?

Which one’s better, a plain product or an ergonomically designed one?

I’m not quite sure, but I think it was Kat Holmes, Chief Design Officer at Salesforce, who mentions an interesting counter-intuitiveness to do with ergonomic design.

You know how some products are just boxy or plain and bland. While a few others are designed with interesting curves. And you almost instantly know that it would be so much easier to hold that ergonomically shaped product, or so much more comfortable to sit on that ergonomically shaped bench. Or to hold those hand grips with finger grooves on the bus or train would feel so much safer and simpler.

However, it isn’t quite as simple.

How a lot of ergonomically designed products or parts work is, they tend to be comfortable when used for a short time. However, with extended use, they actually become more uncomfortable than a more plain design.
And similarly, while plain, boxy or basic shape designs would be a bit uncomfortable to use for short periods of time; they are actually a bit better with extended use.

Those of us who went to school in the 80s and 90s, think of school benches. Flat wooden rows of them. Extremely uncomfortable, but you could easily shift and slide around on them, so it wouldn’t be too bad through the day. However, imagine if wooden benches had little butt indentations. While they might have felt a bit more comfortable initially, they would not allow much easy movement outside of those indentations, making extended seating more uncomfortable.

Nowadays, bicycle handlebar grips are usually a boring cylinder. However, back when I was in school, I had a Hercules mountain bike that had the most incredible looking grips that were great to hold too. Ergonomically designed. And while they were horizontal, I remember forcing them to tilt slightly downward on the front, which made gripping them even better. However, now when I think back, there’s probably a reason why Hercules or any other bicycle brand doesn’t seem to have such or even similarly ergonomically designed grips. The longest I might have biked at a stretch back then was probably about 2 hours. And maybe with extended use, they would be more uncomfortable compared to the more plain cylindrical grips most bikes have.

Another example is current wireless earbuds with their sleek and beautiful cases. Particularly ones where the case hinges are slightly offset when you look at it from one side.

They are beautiful to look at, and very easy to hold, for short periods of time. However, any longer, and they are at high risk of slipping out of your hands. And in comparison, the older box-like designs might have been easier to hold or even balance on a flat surface without risking a slight tap sending them flying off the table.

Do any products that you use come to mind for either being less or more ergonomic? Any experiences with handling them over extended periods of time?

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