As a part of our series of interviews, we also talked to Richard Eisermann who participated in the start up of the Humin project. He has worked as a designer and strategist for over twenty years.

Prior to co‐founding Prospect with Anja Klüver, Richard was Director of Design and lnnovation at the Design council, has led design and innovation teams while with whirlpool in ltaly, lDEo in Boston and Sottsass Associati in Milan. He’s also very much involved in design education and has lectured at various colleges and universities.

Which company has been able to surprise you this past year on the subject of innovation?
Given the formidable challenges that many businesses in the manufacturing sector have faced in the last year, Fiat comes to mind as a big innovator. Economic conditions, coupled with a longstanding inability/refusal to understand market needs, have seen the collapse of giants in the automobile business. Fiat has been stellar on two fronts – first, their cars have been not just appealing to consumers, but LOVED by them. The new Cinquecento is brilliant. That in and of itself is noteworthy for a company that does not have a historical reputation for quality. But to be able to do that in these times is remarkable. Secondly, Fiat has swooped in and offered to take over Chrysler, which is something else altogether, a bold play with an innovative business approach that could either remake the car industry or destroy the company in the process. It remains to be seen if Fiat can do what Daimler was unable to.

In your opinion, what product should win all the design awards this year?
The paper clip. It is high time that this product be recognised for its inherent design integrity. What other product can claim to be so universal? It is used by people of all ages, from all walks of life. It is left handed, right handed, can be used in any direction and in any position. It requires no instructions for use, has no complicated interfaces, or even an on/off switch, for that matter. It is completely fit for purpose. If you need to hold two or more pieces of paper together on a temporary basis, then you reach for the simple paper clip. It has a complete economy of materials – nothing is wasted in its production and it can be re-used indefinitely, as long as it is not stretched beyond its mechanical limits. It is also constantly being adapted for uses other than which it was originally intended for. It is a paragon of sustainability – if we get tired of it, we can just let it rust and return to the earth. It would get my vote, if only someone would submit it.

Which sector still has a lot of potential when it comes to innovation?
The design sector itself has masses of room for innovation, particularly when it comes to sustainability. Apple is the pinnacle of design innovation, yes, but where has Jonathan Ive and team pushed a sustainable agenda in the development of its products? Apple products are lusted after, inspiring a level of emotion and attachment in consumers that is legendary. I know, I am an Applephile. But I often wonder what path the leading lights of design are illuminating. Whether he likes it or not, Mr. Ive is recognised as a beacon in the design world. Many people follow him. He needs to use his position and his special relationship with Steve Jobs to change the conversation about sustainability.

When did you realise that design needed to focus more on people, which encouraged you to participate in the Humin project?
My interest in people centred design began thirty years ago, with my formal design education at the Rhode Island School of Design. One professor in particular, Marc Harrison, based his design philosophy on a people centred approach. He believed that design that was not done from a human viewpoint was no design at all. In the ensuing years I worked with Ettore Sottsass, who taught me about the emotional quality of design and the need to build deeper meanings into objects. While I was at IDEO, I came into close contact with usability specialists, and learned first hand how a truly people centred approach can transform the outcomes. Most recently, it is my own work with designing and building online communities that the real power of co-creation has become evident. So yes, I am a firm believer in a people centred approach and hope that Humin will spread that view throughout Flanders.