'Recognising the need is the primary condition for design'

Charles Eames

DAW (Dining Armchair Wood) - Fiell Archive, London: photo Paul Chave

Anyone who's studied design will know that all great design begins with a problem (and that problem is seldom how to make loads of money).

Charles Eames, along with his wife and design and business partner Ray Eames, was one of the major proponents of what we now think of as ergonomic, or human design - in other words designing for the needs of the human body.

The Eameses' stylish and practical approach to the design and furniture means their work is still a huge inspiration to designers today - and they were responsible for many true design classics such as the Eames Lounge Chair (pictured).