Post 2 - Research

Intro

This is my research post of design process/problem solving assignment of semester 2. A brief recap on the first post : I figured out my problem statement in the first post. Here's the link to post 1 : Design Process Post 1 - Intro and Problem definition

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.

Research

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. 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.

Image source : Internet | Edited by author

The problems faced by left handed people are mainly due to the following two reasons :

1. Intrinsic biases

Most of the objects or products in the world are designed with an inherent and deep rooted approach for the right hand use over the left, or rather both hand use. This is intrinsic bias.

2. Socio-Cultural biases

Many societies, cultures and religions have emotional or intellectual beliefs and/or prejudices against the use of left hand as the dominant one or even for simple actions sometimes.

As a student of design, I will be concentrating on intrinsic biases in making of products, which act as a barrier for left handed folks for efficient use and operation.

I have tried to closely observe, analyse and understand the problems faced by lefties with various products.

Observations

1. Wrist Watches

Wrist watches are worn mostly on the non dominant hand, so that the dominant hand is free for various tasks, and while performing them, you don't damage your watch. So going by this 'rule', a left handed person should wear his/her watch on the right hand wrist. The images below will explain what problems the standard watch's design causes to a left handed person wearing it on the right wrist.

Photo and editing by author

Photo and editing by author

This can force a left handed person to wear the watch on the left hand wrist, thereby: 

• hampering his writing
• hampering his sketching
• slowing him down in hand operations
• increasing the chances of damaging his watch

Nowadays, watches with the crown on the left for the left handed exist. But these are made in limited numbers and hence aren't widely available as well as are considerably costlier than standard watches.

Fun Fact

Image source : Internet | Edited by author

2. Scissors

Scissors are asymmetric as they have overlapping blades. They are arranged so that, in the right hand, fingers and thumb push the blades together laterally, creating the shearing action essential to scissors' utility.

Photo and editing by author

Now, considering these scissors to be used by left hands, fingers and thumb tend to force right-handed blades apart, so that, rather than being sheared, the work-material is merely hacked, as by a knife, or slips between the blades uncut.

Photo and editing by author

 Left-handed persons using right-handed scissors will often try to compensate by forcing the handles apart laterally, causing discomfort or injury to the first knuckle of the thumb. In addition to that, they will have to stretch over their necks on the left to see the cutting line, causing discomfort. 

Many scissors are offered as "ambidextrous" or "suitable for right- or left-handed use." Typically, these are merely right-handed scissors with modified handles to permit use in the left hand with less discomfort, but because the blades are still arranged for right-handed use, they will not perform well in the left hand.

Fun Fact

Image source : Internet | Edited by author

3. Knives 

Box Cutters

Most box cutters have their sliders on the left side which makes it almost impossible for left handed persons to use it properly, what more, it also renders a good grip useless.

Here's a standard, cheap and widely available box cutter, also widely used in our institute :

Photo and editing by author

Here are some of the problems faced by left handers using this box cutter :

Photo and editing by author

There are cutters available with the slider on top/bottom, but those aren't as widely available as these ones, and are also costly.

Switchblades

A switchblade (also known as springer or a flick blade) is a type of knife with a folding or sliding blade contained in the handle which is opened automatically by a spring when a button, lever, or switch on the handle or bolster is activated. 

Photo and editing by author

Fun Fact 

Image source : Internet | Edited by author

4. DSLR Cameras and Camcorders

Cameras predominantly have the hand grip, shutter release, film wind lever and commonly used selection buttons, switches and dials controlled by the right hand. Lens controls (where present) tend to be accessible by either hand. When an unskilled left-handed person uses a right-handed camera the hand control can be less steady and hence produce camera shake leading to poorer pictures at low shutter speeds.

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Image source : Internet | Edited by author

Camcorders have the hand bracing only on the right side, and left handed persons find it difficult to operate it. Their right hand isn't as stable as their left, resulting into poorer quality videos and photos.

Image source : Internet | Edited by author

Fun Fact

Image source : Internet | Edited by author

5. The folding desk

Many educational institutions utilize this design. The desk is attached on the right side, offering an armrest for right-handed people to use while writing. In some of these desks, the writing surface does not extend fully to the left, necessitating a left-handed user to turn their body in order to write properly, sometimes causing back, neck and shoulder problems. 

Image source : Internet | Edited by author

Fun Fact 

Image source : Internet | Edited by author

6. Power Tools

Power tools and machinery is typically manufactured with the right-handed user in mind. Left-handed operators have the inability to keep materials steady, and difficulty reaching the on/off switch, especially in emergency situations. Table saws, whose blades protrude from the top of a table and pose the risk of losing fingers or hands, have their cutting area on the right side. This makes it difficult for a left-handed operator to guide the material being cut, as it must be pushed to the right side to align with the fence to avoid kickback. On bandsaws, the blade teeth are on the left side of the blade, necessitating the material being cut to be pushed from the left side of the machine. However, at this angle, the casing of the machine containing the rest of the blade is on the operator's left side, making it extremely difficult to guide the wood with their left hand. 

Handheld circular saws are made almost exclusively for right-handers, with the motor and grip on the right side. If held in the left hand, it is impossible for the operator to see what they are cutting.

Photo and editing by author

7. Firearms 

Almost all of the firearms are designed for right handed users, with the operating handle, magazine release, or safety mechanisms and other necessary functions set up for manipulation by the right hand, and fired cartridge cases ejected to the right. Also, scopes and sights may be mounted in such a way as to require the shooter to place the rifle against the right shoulder.If a left handed user shoots a right-handed gun left-handed certain difficulties such as the controls being improperly located for the left hand or hot shell cases being ejected towards the shooter's body, especially the eyes or down the collar or right sleeve occur. 

Image source : Internet | Edited by author

Ambidextrous firearms are manufactured in smaller numbers and are generally more expensive and/or harder to obtain. Many left handed shooters are still forced to shoot with their non dominant right hand.

End note

This was my research post about the various products and objects I've analysed. I haven't included some popular 'lefty unfriendly' products such as doors, musical instruments, sporting equipment, etc because solutions to them are easily available or they might not be that significant.

In the next post, I will perform a problem assessment matrix and proceed with a more in depth analysis of a specific problem. 

Ending on a lighter note - Here's the look of disapproval when we extend the left hand for Prasad :D

Animation clip source : Internet 

Thank you!