Two items i found that were highly functional i would have to say Joe Colombo's "MiniKitchen" and Frank Lloyd Wrights "Office Armchair". The reason i found both of these designs to be high functional was because both of them made doing certain things more convenient for the every day person. The "MiniKitchen" was small didn't take up much space and allowed you to get things done quick and easy. You could store you dishes and cook at the same time all in a matter of seconds. You could even put it in place it didn't fairly because people wouldn't know exactly what it was. On the other hand i also found the "Office Armchair" to be highly functional because it made working in an office space much easier and comfortable. As you can see this design as come a long way, the reason being this type of chair is now seeing in almost everywhere. Even in our school library.
I also found some designs that in my opinion where useless and had low functionality and those designs would have to be Alvar Aalto's "Paimio Chair" and Ron Gaild's "Wall piercing Lights. These designs in my opinion didn't have much of a meaning. The "Paimio Chair" dint look quite comfortable and isn't design for people of different sizes such as height and weight. While the "Wall piercing Lights" seemed to fit well in some locations but, wouldn't fit well in others which would lead me to think it wouldn't be a great design. It would lack lighting for necessary rooms and would take up lots of your wall. Imagine lighting a ballroom with such lighting it would take forever.
Ergonomics plays a major role in the design most artist use and that is because most things are made in purpose to accommodate us humans better. If it doesn't accommodate us the way it should the design wouldn't be successful and that is one thing artist need to take it hand when creating certain things. For example how well can a "Paimio Chair" suit a group of people of all shapes and sizes when it isn't design for everyone. Those ideas must be taken into consideration when making a item for the public.
In conclusion no design is perfect but they all have a potentially if its made to fit the public well. If it is something that will accommodate us it will work well compared to something that doesn't accommodate us well.
Joe Colombo
"MiniKitchen"
1963
Frank Lloyd Wright
"Office Armchair"
1904-1906
Alvar Aalto
"Paimio Chair"
1931-1932
Ron Gilad
"Wall piercing Lights"
2010