Post 1 - Intro and Problem Definition

Image : Author

Intro

This post is about my design process/problem solving assignment of Semester 2. The whole research and analysis along with a probable solution/conclusion will be posted here step by step.

 Design Process followed :

 

Note : This is a roughly planned process which I might improvise slightly as I proceed with the work. Any changes will be notified later.

Problem Definition

Handedness 

Handedness is the dominance of one hand over the other, or the unequal distribution of fine motor skills between the left and right hands. It refers to the tendency of humans to be more dextrous or skilled with one hand over the other, or sometimes merely the preference of one hand over the other. It is usually used with reference to fine motor skills and the performance of manual tasks, particularly everyday activities.

Right-handedness is most common. Right-handed people are more skillful with their right hands when performing tasks. Studies suggest that 87–92% of the world population is right-handed.

Left-handedness is less common than right-handedness. Left-handed people are more skillful with their left hands when performing tasks. Studies suggest that approximately 10% of the world population is left-handed.

Cross-dominance or Mixed-handedness is the change of hand preference between tasks. This is common in the population with about a 30% prevalence.

Ambidexterity is exceptionally rare, although it can be learned. A truly ambidextrous person is able to do any task equally well with either hand. Those who learn it still tend to favor their originally dominant hand.

Ambilevous or ambisinister people demonstrate awkwardness with both hands. Ambisinistrous motor skills or a low level of dexterity may be the result of a debilitating physical condition, such as "dysgraphia".

Division of labour based on handedness

One common theory, as to how handedness affects the hemispheres, is the brain hemisphere division of labour. Since speaking and handiwork require fine motor skills, its presumption is that it would be more efficient to have one brain hemisphere do both, rather than having it divided up. Since in most people, the left side of the brain controls speaking, right-handedness predominates. This theory also predicts that left-handed people have a reversed brain division of labour.

Verbal processing in right-handed individuals takes place mostly in the left hemisphere, whereas visuospatial processing is mostly done in the opposite hemisphere. Left-handed individuals have a heterogeneous brain organization in which their brain hemisphere is either organized in the same way as right-handers (but with the hemispheres reversed) or even such that both hemispheres are used for verbal processing.

So what exactly is the problem?

Bias against left-handed people is discrimination, conscious or not, against people who are left-hand dominant. Approximately 10% of the world's population is left-handed. Yet many common tools are designed solely for use by right-handed people, making them difficult, painful, or unsafe for left-handed people to use. These range from simple objects such as scissors to dangerous machinery such as power saws. Beyond such neglect, however, left-handed people have frequently been subjected to deliberate discrimination and disparagement. In many societies, they are considered unlucky or even malicious by the right-handed majority. Many languages use references to left-handedness to convey awkwardness, dishonesty, stupidity, or other undesirable qualities. Even in relatively "modern" societies, left-handed people historically have been—and in some places still are—forced from childhood to use their right hands for tasks which they would naturally perform with the left, such as eating and writing.

As a student of design, I will be concentrating on problems faced by left handed people operating/handling/using devices, objects and products designed for right handed people.

Preliminary Problem Statement :

Identifying and analyzing the problems faced by left handed people performing various tasks and jobs with objects, devices or products in their day to day life along with their causes, and suggesting solutions if possible.