Design: Design Lines

ONE-OFF WEDDING and christening presents, items secular and religious, are in copious supply at a new exhibition of commemorative jewellery, glass and silverware taking place at the Oxo Tower. Choose between such delights as the Blue Lace Goblet in silver and plique-a-jour (pictured), silver napkin rings, serving spoons, kiddush cups, and earrings, or commission your own piece. Prices range from pounds 40 to pounds 2,000.

`Marking the Occasion' runs until 9 May at Studio Fusion, Unit 1:06, Oxo Tower Wharf, Bargehouse Street, London SE1 (0171-9283600)

A BUTTOCK-measurer - so you can check your own against industry standards - is one of the many surprises at the Science Museum's new exhibition exploring the relationship between people and the things that they use (it also marks the 50th anniversary of the Ergonomics Society). Around 80 per cent of the exhibits are interactive: you can attempt to take a driving test; listen to talking dummies; try out dentists' chairs; or struggle with medicine bottles that are designed to be easily opened by an arthritic 80-year-old but not by a child.

`The Human Factor: designing products and jobs for people' is at the Science Museum, Exhibition Road, London SW7 (0171-938 8000) and runs until 31 August

IN 1926, the young Michael Cardew, fresh from his apprenticeship with Bernard Leach, set up Winchcombe Pottery in Gloucestershire, reviving the old country pottery there. He was joined 10 years later by Ray Finch, who eventually took over, and who, more than 60 years later is still there, though his son Michael is now in charge. Over that time, Winchcombe has turned out thousands of deliciously practical and appealing slipware tea and coffee sets, casseroles and jugs, some 200 of which are on show in Stoke.

`Pots of Life: Winchcombe Pottery 1926-98' is at The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Bethesda Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent (01782 232323) until 4 May, and at Penlee House Gallery & Museum, Penzance 15 May-26 June

SLOVAKIA AND glass have a long and distinguished association which is showing every sign of continuing, as you can see for yourself at a show of sculptural and utilitarian glass in London. Molten glass sculptures, glass combined with marble, concrete, iron and wood and "classical" sculptures in cut optical glass are displayed alongside bowls, vases and glasses designed to be used.

Contemporary Slovak Glass runs from 25 March to 2 May at Plateaux Gallery, 1 Brewery Square, Tower Bridge Piazza, London SE1 (0171-357 6880)