The Art of Sitting: Niels Diffrient in Conversation with Michael Kimmelman May 3, 2007

The Art of Sitting
Thursday, May 3, 6:30 p.m. $20 ($15 ASF members, seniors & students) Internationally recognized industrial designer and ergonomic seating pioneer Niels Diffrient is known for developing product designs that focus on better serving the user. His numerous designs, which include office chairs and computer equipment, begin with a deep knowledge and practical understanding of the physical, psychological, and social needs of people. In conversation with New York Times art critic Michael Kimmelman, Mr. Diffrient will discuss his experiments in expanding the definition of design and offer his observations on earlier innovations in seating by Bruno Mathsson. While Mr. Diffrient was a partner and co-owner of Henry Dreyfuss Associates, the firm produced Polaroid cameras, John Deere tractors, Bell telephones, and American Airlines airplane interiors. A co-author of the three-volume ergonomic reference Humanscale, he has designed furniture for Knoll International, Sunar Hauserman, KI International, and Humanscale Corporation. In addition to holding 46 patents, he has won numerous awards, including a Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award and the Chrysler Design Award for Innovation.

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