Ergonomics in the Design Conceptual Process: The Case Study Daciano da Costa

Abstract

This paper, which stems from a larger research project, focus on the important role played by Ergonomics within the conceptual Design process, through the case study Daciano da Costa. We intend to disseminate among the international scientific community the thought and the practice of Daciano da Costa (1930–2005) given the importance he conferred to Ergonomics in the Design Process. He was far beyond his time and gave importance to Ergonomics from the early 60’s onwards, when the subject was still almost unknown and little used in those times. Daciano conceived numerous interior and installation design projects of outstanding quality from the early 60’s onwards. His work made him one of the most important figures of the twentieth century Design in Portugal. What Daciano brought to the practice and teaching was a process modernization, a new perspective on the emerging themes of design, like Ergonomics.