World's Leading Ergonomist on Vital Design Philosophy|Yellowtrace

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Professor Alan Hedge at the Sydney event this February, presented by Humanscale.

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Professor Hedge in conversation with Yellowtrace editor, Dana Tomic Hughes, at the Melbourne event this February.

Let’s be honest—when most of us hear the word ‘ergonomics,’ we don’t exactly get excited. It’s up there with quarterly tax returns and contract fine print—important, but hardly thrilling. But here’s what struck me during my recent conversations with Professor Alan Hedge, the world’s most renowned ergonomist, who spent over 30 years heading the Ergonomics programme at Cornell University: what’s actually more thrilling for a designer than creating spaces that make people feel good? Spaces that support their health, boost comfort, amp up productivity, and spread genuine happiness? That’s what great design should be all about—form and function.

This February, I had the pleasure of hosting two conversations with Professor Hedge, made possible by Humanscale—a company I’ve come to admire. They don’t just talk the talk; their commitment to sustainability, ergonomics, and doing right by people shines through their products and values.

Professor Alan Hedge kicked off his 2025 international tour right here in Australia, starting with Melbourne’s Melbourne Place hotel, followed by Sydney’s Grana Privato at Hinchcliff House. The sessions drew architects, designers, and global clients, all there to explore a critical question: How do we optimise comfort and productivity when our work habits are shifting faster than ever before?

The truth Alan highlighted is sobering: poor posture and prolonged sitting aren’t just health hazards—they’re productivity killers. “Ergonomics is ‘human sustainability,'” he explained. “A product can be made from environmentally sustainable materials and processes, but if it doesn’t meet the needs of the user or users to do comfortable, safe and efficient work, it isn’t ergonomic.” In other words, without proper ergonomic design, products that fail to support human performance, health, and well-being render even the most sustainable materials ineffective for their intended purpose.

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Ergonomic posture in motion.

The Science of Comfort

Through his work with NASA on workspace design for the International Space Station, Professor Hedge introduced me to the concept of microgravity—not just the astronaut version, but how it applies to our daily lives. “The body is adapted to the effects of gravity, but this is tiring,” he explained. “Standing all day is more tiring than sitting, and sitting is more tiring than laying on a bed.”

This insight transforms how we think about workplace design. So what’s the ideal workday rhythm? Based on extensive research studies, Professor Hedge recommends his 3S’s Ideal Work Pattern: 20 minutes sitting (in a good posture), 8 minutes standing (for sit-stand workstations), and 2 minutes of stretching (gentle moving, walking etc.)—a cycle that mimics microgravity’s benefits without the space travel.

“When part of the body’s weight is supported by an object, like a chair or mattress, the physiological effect is like being in microgravity—heart rate slows, muscle activity decreases, less energy is expended,” he continued. It’s not about choosing between standing and sitting; it’s about creating environments that support this natural rhythm.

Beyond The Office

Here’s where Professor Hedge challenged our assumptions: “Ergonomics is the science of work. It applies to the design of products—they must fit the sizes and capabilities of the target users—and the ease of use of products to avoid errors.” Whether it’s an office, home studio, or collaborative space, ergonomics follows work wherever it happens.

This insight proved especially relevant as we discussed how design professionals sometimes prioritise aesthetics over functionality. “I did a study where old chairs were reupholstered and users rated them as much more comfortable than their old chairs—they were the same chairs but just looked good,” Professor Hedge shared. “But they were good ergonomic chairs to start with.”

The key takeaway is that True ergonomic design doesn’t compromise aesthetics—it enhances them.

The Economics of Ergonomics

The business case for proper ergonomics revealed itself clearly during our talks. Poor upper body posture remains the leading cause of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Investing in quality ergonomic solutions delivers measurable returns: increased productivity, reduced absenteeism, and lower healthcare costs.

When I asked what makes a piece of furniture truly ergonomic, Professor Hedge’s criteria were straightforward: “To be ergonomic, it has to provide good, comfortable support, it has to be easy to use, it has to be reliable and appealing, and for a chair, it has to support neutral posture working.”

But here’s where it gets interesting: the best ergonomic solutions adjust to users, not the other way around. “Wherever possible, an ergonomic product should be easy to use and adapt to the user without the user having to use multiple controls such as knobs and levers that can result in errors,” Professor Hedge emphasised.

Ergonomic posture in motion.

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Myth-Busting with the Master

I challenged Professor Hedge to true/ false rapid-fire statements.

Are standing desks the ultimate solution for bad sitting? False, according to Professor Hedge. The magic lies in movement patterns, not static positions.

Do more adjustable features, like chairs with lots of knobs and levers, mean better ergonomics? Another false assumption. Simplicity that adapts seamlessly beats complexity every time.

The biggest ergonomic fad you’ve seen people buy into? “Many wrist rests, keyboards, input devices, and exercise balls labelled as ‘ergonomic’ but not supported by any research,” Professor Hedge revealed.

Should armrests be banned? “It depends,” Professor Hedge explained. “Armrests serve an important role in reducing strain on the spine during chair ingress/egress and if used periodically to rest the arms while sitting. They should be adjustable and not interfere with desk clearance.”

What’s one piece of office furniture you’d ban forever? “Probably inflatable exercise ball chairs that can easily tip over!”

The Ecosystem Approach

Professor Hedge confirmed what many suspect: workplaces function best as integrated systems. “There must be an ecosystem of work tools within the workstation—sit-to-stand desks, monitor arms, ergonomic chairs, keyboard trays, wire management systems—for a workstation to have good ergonomics. But only if all products are truly ‘ergonomic.'”

This ecosystem philosophy extends beyond products to people. As Professor Hedge noted, ergonomics applies “to the needs of a single user or several users in a team,” considering environmental factors like lighting, temperature, and noise.

The Design Professional’s Role

When pressed about interior designers’ priorities, Professor Hedge offered both encouragement and a challenge: “These are important considerations,” he acknowledged regarding aesthetics and spatial flow. But he emphasised that truly prioritising people means balancing beauty with function.

His parting advice for designers really resonates: “Ensure the products you are choosing are truly ergonomic—they support health, comfort, ease of use, and work performance.”

As our conversation concluded, it became clear that ergonomics isn’t just a design consideration—it’s a design philosophy that recognises the intimate relationship between space, body, and mind. In an era where sustainability dominates conversations, Professor Hedge’s concept of ‘human sustainability’ offers a crucial perspective: the most sustainable design is one that sustains the humans who use it.

Whether you’re designing corporate headquarters or curating home offices, the message is clear: ergonomics deserves a seat at the design table—preferably a well-designed, adjustable one that supports neutral posture.

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