Learning Materials Airline seat - Issues The economy airline seat programme highlights the following issues in design for mass transport: the challenge of designing furniture within a very tight space and weight constraints where every inch and every ounce counts the difficulties of balancing the needs of customer comfort against the tough competitive and cost pressures facing airlines the importance of ergonomics in counteracting the health risks (such as blood clots in the leg) that are caused by poor seating comfort and posture the central role of the brainstorm or ‘expert forum’ which kickstarts new thinking around the design challenge the importance of material science in enabling new solutions to emerge despite severe weight, cost and space constraints the regard that users have for aesthetics and visual appearance. Designed objects need to look as well as feel comfortable and of high quality Keywords materials ergonomics constraints economy comfort health style Many of the above keywords are explained further in Channel 4's jargon-busting A to Z of design terms and design concepts. Click on the Channel 4 logo at the top of the page to visit the site.