How do you wrap a present successfully? Did I stump you? We can apply ergonomic engineering principles to the task of gift wrapping to ensure that our wrap job is successful. We can also make sure it is efficient and comfortable, and therefore fun, as well.
First we need to know why we wrap presents. Now we can develop a Gross Task Analysis for wrapping a present. Wrapping a typical present will go something like this:
- 01 - Gather all tools and materials for wrapping presents
- 02 - Setup your gift wrapping worksite
- 03 - Create a package that can be wrapped
- 04 - Unroll enough wrapping paper to wrap present
- 05 - Cut wrapping paper off of roll
- 06 - Place package upside down in center of wrapping paper
- 07 - Wrap paper around package in one direction
- 08 - Secure wrapping paper to package
- 09 - Wrap paper around package in opposite direction
- 10 - Crease paper at package edges
- 11 - Secure wrapping paper to itself and package
- 12 - Rotate package 90 degrees
- 13 - Make bottom folds on one side
- 14 - Crease side folds
- 15 - Secure side folds
- 16 - Rotate package 180 degrees
- 17 - Make bottom folds on other side
- 18 - Crease side folds
- 19 - Secure side folds
- 20 - Flip package 180 degrees
- 21 - Make top folds on one side
- 22 - Crease side folds
- 23 - Secure side folds
- 24 - Rotate package 180 degrees
- 25 - Make top folds on one side
- 26 - Crease side folds
- 27 - Secure side folds
- 28 - Mark recipient on package
- 29 - Embellish package
- 30 - Store package until time of delivery
Steps 01, 02, 03, 29 and 30 are worthy of there own task analysis. However they will be very specific to what you are wrapping and how you are wrapping it. Here is a little more definition on what those steps entail:
01 – Make sure you have everything you will need before you get started. Nothing makes a task more inefficient than having to stop in the middle of it to go get something. Gather up your gifts, paper, tape, scissors, pens, ribbons, etc. and have them ready.
02 – An ergonomic gift wrapping worksite is the second most important aspect. It needs to be comfortable for you to work at and hold all the stuff you need at arms reach.
03 – In order to make a good presentation, if that was one of your parameters for wrapping a present, you need to start with an attractive or intriguing shape that lends itself well to being wrapped with a wrapping material. Keep in mind that paper creases well but needs support behind it, and foil wraps into a crinkled mess well and doesn’t needed to be supported behind it.
29 – Embellishment is where you get to go crazy. We call it “Ribbonizing” at my house. There are so many different ways to spruce of a wrapping job that I’m going to stay completely clear of the subject.
30 – Storing the package is important as well. You want the gift to look just as good when you give it as it did when you finished wrapping it. You can plan your wrapping based on how it will be stored. If it is going to be shoved to the bottom of the tree and hold a lot of other gifts, don’t put a crunch-able bow on it.
Creasing paper is a vital and often ignored step. Creasing the paper helps ensure that it stays in place and is nice and tight. A crisp edge on a package enhances its appearance and is appreciated on a subconscious level.
Make sure you mark who the package is for before it gets lost. Missing one can cause mission failure, or at least unwrapping and re-wrapping the gift.
Why We Did This
With a task analysis in hand we can exam individual steps and determine what tools and materials we need and what are work site requirements are. We can also look for ways to reduce time, stress, discomfort and fatigue.
If there is a task you are doing over and over again you can try to group them together. If you use a tool regularly you should make sure it is easier to reach. If there is something you don’t like to do you can try to get rid of that step.
For example, we have determined that creasing the paper is a critical task step. So we have adjusted the Gross Task Analysis to ensure we can properly crease the paper. An efficient way to crease folds on a present is to make the fold and flatten it on the work surface. So we added step 20, flipping the package, to place the paper being crease next to the work surface. Other wise we’d crease it in the air and we might get a dimple, tear or misalignment.
What Do We Do Now?
Now we determine the tools and materials needed and try to find ways some that are easier to use and help us successfully wrap a present. We also can plan out a good ergonomic gift wrapping worksite that will support the task we have defined. Then we will try to find ways to take the tediousness and stress (physical and mental) out of repetitive wrapping.
After all it is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. And I don’t want you developing a repetitive stress injury from wrapping presents.
