"A camel is a horse designed by committee"

Alec Issigonis’s observation draws upon the stark contrast between a horse and a camel to comment on the dynamics of group decision-making, particularly within committees. The horse, often seen as a symbol of elegance, power, and purpose-driven design, results from focused intent and cohesive vision. Its form corresponds to its function: speed, grace, and harmony. On the other hand, the camel, with its peculiar humps, knobby knees, and sometimes ungainly gait, appears less streamlined but is perfectly adapted to a specific environment, survival in arid deserts. The implication is not an insult to the camel per se but an allegory highlighting unintended outcomes when multiple voices with differing priorities try to design something.

When responsibility for a project or creation falls to a committee, the result can be muddled by compromise, conflicting opinions, and an attempt to appease every stakeholder. Each member may inject features catering to their own needs, preferences, or expertise. The original vision, the “horse”, gets stretched, altered, or appended until the product bears little resemblance to the idealized version first imagined. It becomes a “camel”: functional in new ways, but possibly awkward, over-engineered, or lacking in unified direction.

The essence of the metaphor critiques the design-by-committee approach, suggesting that too many cooks can spoil the broth. Committees, focused on consensus and inclusive contribution, may lose sight of a clear objective, leading to convoluted results that satisfy no one entirely. In fields like engineering, management, and even art, the lesson warns of diluting excellence through over-collaborative processes devoid of decisive leadership or singular vision. Creativity and ingenuity often thrive under focused direction, where streamlined decisions enable coherence and purpose, rather than the patchwork of conflicting interests that committees often produce. Thus, the quote endures as a wry admonition about collaboration’s limitations and the importance of vision and clarity in achieving truly effective design.