The Design of Everyday Things
The absence of good design is often more keenly felt than the appreciation of a well crafted work. If you watched Ben Elton in the 90’s you may recall his theory that there must be a “Ministry of Crap Design” behind such idiotic commodities as hand scalding teapots and water repelling paper napkins.
The ministry of clever design – the Design Council - set about using design to make our hospitals safer places in their 2009 work Design Bugs Out. This project worked with both clinicians and manufacturers to re-consider the design of everyday objects, such as mattresses and pulse Oximeters, to reduce the risk of infection transfer via such items. The furniture, as well as being easy to clean, looks comfortable and attractive with chairs that might entice you out of your bed and towards recovery. When applied to such common place but nevertheless important objects we see that good design is not a luxury – it’s just good sense. 
The Design Council are now turning their attentions to how design can improve patient dignity including improvements in ward design and a Ben de Lisi designed surgery gown! Results are due out in March.
The Design Council are now turning their attentions to how design can improve patient dignity including improvements in ward design and a Ben de Lisi designed surgery gown! Results are due out in March.
