studio workspaces / ergonomics (Finding the right heights)

[supernova777]

hey guys
so my mind has been shifting more to the actual physical set up of workstations
and comfortability.. etc this is a topic of great interest to me,
aka finding the perfect workspace setup!


i use this oldschool well-adjustable ikea "jerker" desk in combination with a known ikea hack
that uses the shelf "ekby" and combines the "capita" leg

(example http://www.ugmonk.com/2011/09/22/custom-monitor-stand/)
to create a raised monitor stand and storage beneath
this can obviously be an addon for ANY desk or table ! and it costs like under 25$ to make!


its amazing what u can do with the right approach + right idea
for instance i have been fighting with these desks that i have
to find the right height for both sitting + standing...
for me i am around 5'11" and i have settled with a surface height of between 37"-39"
for standing position..

using a normal generic office chair in conventional sitting position requires a work surface height of around 26"-27" off the ground - this is pretty standard everywhere you go...  but these low to the ground desks are no good for us roaming "on our feet" creative types;) worse yet, for some reason whenever im sitting in these types of low chairs i ALWAYS end up slouching and having bad posture! which leads to aches+ pains when time is spent in this position.. which leads to poor productivity:(

but inbetween those two extremes theres the height of the barstool. now i think theres 2 different standard heights for stools

example a: http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/60155602/
seat height telescopes to adjust between Min. 24 3/4 " & Max. 29 1/8 "
retracted to its min position this stool is very firm + Steady but the max 29 setting is not so sturdy :/ so even tho it can go higher, its best used at its "min" setting


example b: http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/70087212/
Seat height: 29 1/8 "


http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/80243919/#/40243921
example c
this one comes in two heights: 1st Seat height: 24 3/4 " & 2nd Seat height: 29 1/8 "


http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/80203225/#/40203227
example d
1st Seat height: 26 " & 2nd Seat height: 30 3/8 "

so we can see that no matter what one u pick there seems to be 2 standard sizes..
one around 25" and another around 30"

this one that i have is wooden, and it measures 25" from the floor, (example a stool) for which i have found the proper working height to be around 33" for the desk surface

the problem of course is coming to a happy medium that allows for both comfortable sitting + Standing!
i dont have any of these taller stools, i think that may be the solution that i have been needing.. taller chairs;) and adjust all my desks to be at the higher standing height (with surface positioned just slightly lower then hands with elbows at your sides @ 90 degree L shape)

anyways to summarize:
i feel that by keeping a desktop surface of about 37-37.5" + using high seated stools/chairs of around 29-30"
u can find the sweet spot accomodating the need to stand and work, as well as to sit + work and have a comfortable ergonomic experience in both
positions!

this would change for each person depending on their height so
the real formula seems to be , for me at least, that my perfect desk surface height is usually 7-8" taller then my seat position..

if we are to adopt these 29 + 1/8th size stools then the perfect level or height to go along with those stools is 29 1/8th + 8" = 37"

interestingly enough standard "kitchen counter" height seems to be around 3 feet exactly (36") which is just shorter then the height i need .. the difference between short stool + kitchen counter = 10" which is fine for eating, but not find for typing becase your arms would be up too high..

the galant desk series from ikea (http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/S09806763/) can be set to this height with the telescoping legs
by going past the settting that says "stop" by about another 2inches.. and the desk still seems stable ill let u know if anything happens otehrwise
u will see response subject "OH SHIT MY DESK COLLAPSED" lol

[supernova777]

another item i like using is this stand because it allows for height + Rotation adjustment at a somewhat affordable price!

http://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/neo-flex-lcd-stand/6000078112662?gclid=CJHV4ObYyL0CFbFFMgodI1QA3w

attach any lcd flatscreen with VESA standard mount

[arjen_1]

LOL...too funny. I have the exact same desk & barstool. I've been working on the perfect ergonomics for months. I realized that the bad ergomics influence my workflow which resulted in -no-use-of my gear. Therefore I actually sold most of my quicklock stuff and replaced it with (second hand) Ikea Jerker desk accessories. I finally managed to get a decent, efficient setup wich suits my needs while producing and while playing live. A case of trial and error.

Greetz
Arjen

[supernova777]

arjen;) birds of a feather;)
i have 3 of them so far.. working on getting a 4th so i can ditch one of my other desks ..
its either that or im going to have to buy new legs to attach to the desk to get it up to 37" off the floor

when things are the right height it just makes everything work.. no awkwardness. just pure performance..
tricks of the trade .. it always comes down to tricks of the trade;)

[supernova777]

http://decluttered.com/

[arjen_1]

That's my idea! Less = more.