Diffrient Multiple Seating was designed by Niels Diffrient, a graduate of Cranbrook School of Design. Niels is also a partner in Dreyfuss Associates, a prestigious New York industrial design consulting firm.

In the mid 1950's, Niels collaborated with Eero Saarinen in designing contemporary contract seating. Once he became a partner with Dreyfuss, he imprinted everything -- from telephones and tractor seats to Polaroid cameras -- with his unique design style.

During the late 60's and 70's, Niels conducted a major study on sitting habits and the body's responses in order to improve airline seating designs. Out of his Humanscale 1/2/3 study came the realization that sitting is not a natural posture, and that both a combination of support and flexibility are required to provide continuous comfort from seating in regular use.

To demonstrate this premise, Niels launched into the design for the original Diffrient Seating. Soft edges and seamless upholstery were major features of these designs to protect the people who used them, the interior environment in which they were installed, and to provide a high degree of flexibility of movement for those seated for extended periods of time. Diffrient Multiple Seating was part of this original family of designs.