ERGONOMIC MOUSE

With the shift to remote work, prolonged computer use has become the norm. While ergonomic mice are often recommended to reduce strain, most are designed for a single dominant hand — creating challenges for users with temporary, situational, or permanent constraints.

This project explored whether a truly ambidextrous ergonomic mouse could better support a wider range of users.

Framing the problem through inclusion

At a glance, the market appears to offer choice, but early observation suggested that most ergonomic mice still assume a fixed dominant hand. I set out to understand how often this assumption breaks down in real life, and where existing products fail to support flexibility and inclusivity.

Research-led exploration

I conducted end-to-end exploratory research, combining quantitative and qualitative methods to build a grounded understanding of user behaviour and constraints.

• Survey (51 respondents): Gathered baseline insights into mouse usage, hand dominance, and situational constraints. While not statistically representative, the data highlighted meaningful patterns — including the frequency with which users needed to operate a mouse while their dominant hand was unavailable.

• User interviews: Revealed recurring themes around cost sensitivity, discomfort with existing ergonomic options, and the perception that many ergonomic mice prioritise function over aesthetics.

• Artefact analysis: Reviewed 10 top-rated ergonomic mice, finding that only one supported smooth ambidextrous use and very few allowed users to switch dominant hands without friction.

  
  

Synthesising insight into direction

I translated research findings into personas representing key user segments, capturing different motivations and constraints. Storyboards were used to visualise common scenarios, such as hand fatigue, shared devices, or temporary injury, helping clarify where current solutions fall short.

These artefacts helped crystallise the central design question:

How might we enable efficient, comfortable computer interaction regardless of dominant hand or ability?

Outcomes and next steps

The project resulted in a clearly defined design opportunity and a foundation for future concept development. While the work is currently paused due to resourcing constraints, the research highlighted clear gaps in the market and outlined areas for further exploration, including physical attributes such as weight, material choice, balance, control placement, and cost accessibility.

Reflection

This project reinforced the importance of questioning default assumptions in product design. Designing for the “average” user often excludes real, everyday scenarios. Although exploratory, the work demonstrates how research can surface overlooked needs and guide more inclusive product directions — particularly in physical and ergonomic design.