Behavioral Design: Allexis Ousley

When working in retail there are many things that can be assessed from an ergonomics standpoint.  A cashier's position can be a very strenuous one. With ranging sizes of objects to move through checkout, it is very hard for them to be able to move in the same pattern constantly while picking up different weights. This can cause an ergonomics issue. Turning the wrong way can create a back, shoulder, or many other types of issues. With a cashier standing in one spot for 8 hours it can be very unhealthy on their knees joints and feet.  One of the most common issues found amongst people who work in retail is plantar fasciitis; caused from standing on the concrete for extended hours at a time. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the strong band of tissue that supports the arch of your foot becomes irritated and inflamed. Approximately 2 million patients are treated for this condition every year. Too much pressure damages or tears the tissues.  People that stock the s...

I will never forget the first day I started working at my current employer. I was so excited to make the transition to a career specific position from working a Wal-Mart. All I could think about was the fact I was getting my own place in a "real" career. My own desk, with my own desktop setup with dual monitors. Little did I know, life from a cubical was not what it was cracked up to be. Don't get me wrong I love my job but I didn't realize the stresses that are put on a persons body because of a desk job. Try doubling that by being a full-time college student as well! My life from about 6 am until 11 pm on 5 days a week consists primarily of sitting. I probably do not sit properly to add to my pain and pressure points. I now know how unhealthy this is. Carpal Tunnel is not my friend, backaches and circulation issues plague my existence.  In a little over a year I have finally done a few things to help with my issues, which I will come back to later in this post. ...

As you watch pixar film "Finding Nemo" you think to yourself that 'this is a wonderful movie about all types of personalities and adventure and love in family'. Growing up I was always excited by nemo,  probably because I was that kid! I was the one playing hide and go seek in Wal-Mart and running out of my mother's view to explore.  Most of the time mom would find me half hysterical and tell me not to do it again with a spanking and a hug.  Of course I would be ready to do it again the next opportunity I would get. To this day I am always pushing myself to the next adventure. Even though I love all that excitement, some times I still need a moment too myself,  for peace and quiet. I need a refuge to get away from all of the crazy chaos that I live in (and sometimes create). This introduces a concept in sociology called prospect versus refuge.  Prospect can, in a way, be interpreted as opportunity and open to everything.   Refuge, on the other hand, i...

In order to obtain self actualization the hierarchy of needs must be met. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs states that,  “people are motivated to achieve certain needs and that some needs take precedence over others. Our most basic need is for physical survival, and this will be the first thing that motivates our behavior.”  It is among the most primitive of biological needs to have some level of control in a given environment or situation. Giving someone control of their environment can affect their positive well being and mentality. Having control allows for a more relaxed and peaceful individual by giving the individual a sense of security. By stimulating these emotion, the individual can maintain a lower heart rate, therefore, a positive state of mind. The more control the individual has; the closer to the apex the individual reaches. The sketch below is an example of me as an individual trying to balance and control all of the details words surrounding ...

There is a fundamental need of humans to express themselves to others, and to understand themselves. Human mentality and perception is forever changing by the experiences that are encountered throughout the lifespan that is human existence. Every person is unique in perspective, each person has a different perception of a design. The designer can effect the ability to evoke the intended reaction from the observer, the skill level of the designer can effect the ability to evoke the intended response from the observer. Not every observer will view a design in the same way. Complexity of the situation arouses the adaptation of the design. The changes made allow for the growth of  design and skill of the designer to improve. In In essence, there is never a true solution to a perfect design, so it is important to enjoy the journey of the design and make it as effective as possible for the intended observer.