Hand Truck
Industrial Design, Research, and Human Factors
Industrial Design, Research, and Human Factors
This project centers around ergonomics, anthropometry, and safety. The goalwas not to drastically redesign the aesthetics of a hand truck, but to make itsafer and easier to use. After a period of research and testing the solutionseemed obvious; the only way to give optimal grip strength and comfort whilethe hand truck is in both the upright and angled position was to have arotating handle. This wasn’t going to be a case of designing some radicalsolution, but simply taking the obvious route but doing it to the best of ourabilities. After a couple rounds of designing and testing we found the key tomaking the swiveling handle safe and functional was to incorporate a button tochange positions. In addition aesthetics were key, it had to look safe andsturdy, and communicate obviously that it was meant to swivel. After theirsecond time using the model users found it easier, more comfortable and saferto use. Additional handle grips were developed to be used when pushing up asteep hill or ramp.This project was put in the SCAD Industrial Design gallery, and was photographedfor the permanent collection.
