It seems obvious humans differ in size

Clothing hampers our movements

A sample of illegible programme from the "design eventí of 1993

Examples of current design problems being investigated through HID.

CARS. We all vary in height, leg and arm length. Does the Mercedes and Jeep understand this? A London taxi is probably the only car with adequate headroom, a surprising thing considering the design, computers and ergonomics used in car production. A new understanding of design is needed.

SCHOOL FURNITURE. The correct way to sit is dictated by International Standards but you cannot work in these positions. Reality is different to theory. We are deforming our children even before they go to work.

OFFICES. Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is frequently aggravated by unhealthy materials as well as badly designed (yet award winning) furniture. Out of over 600 ranges available in Britain only about 40 have adjustable worktops yet this is a basic requirement for humans. The missing factor in office design is understanding of human needs.

DOMESTIC -KITCHENS. The old ideas of work-triangle planning is quite obsolete yet appears in the very latest reference books. 50% of kitchen sinks and kitchens are left handed yet only 8% of people are left handed. Numerous accidents are caused by people being forced into poor body use, for example bending and twisting. All this is absolutely avoidable, but not using conventional aesthetic design methods.

CLOTHING. Clothing generally hampers our movements. Even running shoes are not shaped for the foot. Almost every western foot (the foundation of the body) is deformed. An umbrella with holes has been designed and lauded by "The Guardian" fashion writer...."At last there is a designer who has freed himself from functionalism."

THE DESIGN ESTABLISHMENT. The Scandinavian Furniture Award 1992 was given to a chair. The designer explained "Chairs that can be placed together have now become reality and have, consequently, proven to be of absolutely no use."
"Design Renaissance" (International Design Event of the Year 1993) has sadly chosen to issue its programme in an almost completely illegible design! Design teaching has lost its way in pointless debate around aesthetics and engineering.