Described as the science of everyday life, ergonomics combines the knowledge of human performance with design and engineering to create systems, products and services which are safe, efficient and enjoyable to use.

With a style that is restrained, quiet and thoughtful, David Chipperfield is of one of Britain’s leading architects with a huge international reputation.

As head of design at Braun, the German consumer electronics manufacturer, Dieter Rams emerged as one of the most influential industrial designers of the late 20th century by defining an elegant, legible, yet rigorous visual language for its products. The exhibition showcases Rams’ landmark designs for Braun and furniture manufacturer Vitsœ, examines how Rams’ design ethos inspired Braun’s entire product range for over 40 years and assess his lasting influence on today’s design landscape.

Design group Airside talk about their work, history and participation in Super Contemporary to coincide with the release of the book 'Airside by Airside'.

Jan Kaplický, who died earlier this year, was the Czech architect responsible for some of the most remarkable buildings that Britain has ever seen. Deyan Sudjic introduces this exhibition celebrating the work of a gifted architect and designer.

Mariscal Drawing Life is the first UK retrospective of the Spanish designer and artist regarded as one of the world's most innovative and original designers of our time. Mariscal talks about his rich and diverse body of work with Daniel Charny at the exhibition opening.

Hussein Chalayan discusses the motivation, inspiration and achievements behind his experimental projects spanning the past 15 years.

Hussein Chalayan talks about how London influences his work and why he bases his International fashion business in the vibrant and gritty East End. Chalayan is joined by other key design creatives who base themselves in the city, including writer and journalist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, Foreign Office Architects partner Farshid Moussavi and acclaimed emerging writer Bola Agbaje.

Brit Insurance Designs of the Year presents the 91 shortlisted designs in seven categories - architecure, fashion, furniture, graphics, interaction, product and transport.

Over the decades Penguin has sustained a reputation for generating innovative and influential cover designs as seen in the work by Alan Aldridge in the 1960s. In this cross generational discussion, early Penguin designers and former Penguin editor Judith Burnley will talk about the factors behind their particular Penguin heyday to be compare with recent achievements and future direction described by current Art Director Jim Stoddart.

The Ceramics Debate. As another Stoke institution bites the dust join Jerwood award winner Richard Slee, Carol McNickol and Clare Twomey who will be discussing the current state of this multi faceted industry

Hussein Chalayan takes you on a quick tour of his new exhibiition. Hear his reflections on his collections and how the exhibition has come together. Please note there is some background noise as it was recorded on press day.

The Design Museum’s exhibition Design Cities argued that seven cities have each enjoyed a 'moment' when their particular economic, cultural and geo-political stars have aligned to have a transformative effect on the history of design. In this debate the British Council, and the Design Museum came together to examine the notion of ‘Design City’, and look to where this title might be applied in the future. In a panel discussion led by Design Museum director and curator of ‘Design Cities’ Deyan Sudjic, candidates from up to four major world cities will have the opportunity to state their case. Those invited to canvas were as follows:

Ruy Ohtake is an acclaimed architect and argues for Brazil’s largest city, Sao Paulo.

Professor M P Ranjan is a designer and a member of the Faculty at the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, argues in favour of Bangalore, the fastest growing metropolis in India.

Ou Ning is a prominent editor and graphic designer, he puts forward the case for Beijing, the centre of politics and culture in China.

Denis Cherdantsev is a designer, journalist and teacher of design. He argues in favour of Moscow, the largest city in Europe and a melting pot of politics, economics and religion, that is also home to the largest number of billionaires in the world.

At the end of the event the audience were able to cast their vote in response to the arguments and campaigning of the night.

Alberto Alessi responds to footage from a selection of the ‘Design Interviews’, a series of DVDs produced by Museo Alessi, co-edited by Museo Alessi and Edizioni Corraini and directed by Anna Pitscheider. Featured in the short films are five masters of design - Andrea Branzi, Achille Castiglioni, Alessandro Mendini, Richard Sapper and Ettore Sottsass.

Alan Aldridge 'the graphic entertainer' talks about his work

One of the most active and exciting designers working today, Spanish born Patricia Urquiola is interviewed about Landscape, her recent porcelain range for the ceramic manufacturers Rosenthal. The subject of a Design Museum exhibition, Patricia Urquiola talks to curator Gemma Curtin.

Design Cities tells the story of contemporary design through seven key cities at their creative height: London (1851), Vienna (1908), Dessau (1928), Paris (1936), Los Angeles (1949), Milan (1957), Tokyo (1987) and London (2008). Hear Design Museum Director Deyan Sudjic talk about the history of design through the prism of seven cities.

One of the founder members of London based design office Industrial Facility, Sam Hecht, discusses his achievements, recent projects and attitudes towards design including his chosen selection of objects in the Design Museum exhibition 'Under a Fiver'.

London based photographer Tim Walker has established himself at the cutting edge of fashion photography. His images capture a sublime moment in time, evoking a sense of epic drama and beauty. Stunning sets and lavish locations juxtapose the everyday with the absurd and the fabulous, to create captivating, original photographs. Tim’s evocative images are full of textured nuance and intriguing detail. His innovative photography is amongst the most imaginative and exuberant being produced today.

Industrial Facility is the London-based design office of Sam Hecht, Kim Colin and Ippei Matsumoto. A studio primarily designing mass produced goods, Industrial Facility take pleasure in the anonymity of everyday items, applying intellectual rigour, high design values and vision to products such as coffee makers, stationary and kitchen utensils.

Richard Rogers has had the most remarkable career in British architecture. Beginning with an extraordinary family house in Cornwall, then changing the shape of post-War architecture with the Pompidou Centre, he now heads up an international office that is busier than ever. Listen to Richard Rogers talk to Design Museum Director Deyan Sudjic about his exhibition at the Design Museum.

Pentagram co-founder Colin Forbes makes a rare appearance in London to speak about his career and early collaborations with Alan Fletcher.

To kick off our 2007 talks programme assembled some heavy graphic design hitters. On 9 February, current Pentagram Partners Harry Pearce, John Rushworth, and Paula Scher were in conversation with Emily King, curator of our Alan Fletcher exhibition. The talk - titled Feedback - explored the history, working practice and achievements of this pioneering design organisation that was co-founded by Alan Fletcher.

Founded in 1972 in London, Pentagram is regarded as one of the world's leading multidisciplinary design consultancies. Organised around twenty partners (directors) who are all practising designers, Pentagram has offices in London, New York, San Francisco, Austin (Texas) and Berlin.