Rethinking “Normal” Design

From buildings to coffee cups, sidewalks, and hammers, many design objects we engage with daily were created for a so-called “normal” and “ideal” body. Stemming from a legacy of eugenics, the concept of a “normal” human body excludes a significant number of people, including many persons with disabilities. Pairing designers with thinkers and activists, this series of articles guest edited by David Gissen, designer and author of The Architecture of Disability: Buildings, Cities, and Landscapes beyond Access, forms new collaborations that rework what everyday design could be if freed from concepts of a “normal body.”