Tips toward Painless Posture for Design Professionals

By Sarah Christensen
Sarah.Christensen@graphicdesignschoolreview.com

Graphic design school may teach you about composition and graphics, but many graphic design schools fail to teach you the importance of how to avoid computer work station related strains and illnesses such as carpal tunnel syndrome or a painful back.

Bad layout, poor posture, not enough monitor breaks, and incorrectly set up equipment can lead to pain, repetitive strain injuries, short sightedness, an aching back, carpal tunnel syndrome, and eyestrain; not to mention time off work.

We are all individuals, and it is essential that you know how to set up your workstation to fit your own personal requirements. This is to ensure that you avoid these debilitating complaints.

90° is the Right Angle
Whether you are working from home, at graphic design school or a graphic design company, your keyboard, should be centrally in front of you at your workstation. Your forearms should be parallel to the floor and you should be able to type easily with no strain on your wrists (natural keyboards are available and well worth the small extra cost to reduce wrist strain).

Your chair height should then be adjusted so that there is a ninety-degree angle at your knees and hips. If you are quite small and your feet barely touch the floor, you may need a footrest to prevent excessive pressure on your thighs from the chair.

Heads Up on a Monitor
Your monitor should be placed at arm's length away from you. Your eyes should be in line with the top edge so that your head is tilted very slightly down. If necessary raise the monitor to the correct position. It doesn't matter what you use: right now, I have a thick hardback "Manual of Flight" and an old telephone directory supporting mine - functional, rather than attractive!

Look Out!
Don't forget that eyes are one of the most important tools for a designer - what are you doing to protect yours? Return next week to get further guidance on what you can do to protect your most valuable assets.

About the Author
Sarah Christensen is the Managing Director of QSL, a retail Internet business. She has worked for various international biotechnology and surgical implant companies including 3M and marketing a device for carpel tunnel syndrome. Computer use has been an integral part of her daily life for the last 15 years, and she strongly believes in prevention being better than cure! Sarah graduated from King's College, University of London with a degree in Chemistry and Business Studies.