Number 34

The genius of design - a summary.

"Something can always be better". Design is about problem solving but also aesthethics.It's a reflected image of its time, it depends alot on the economy, it dictates

trends and fashions. Good design has changed capitalism with mass production of goods and has introduced a globalisation in terms of materials and needs. Designers are

well inspired by craftsmen; the question is whether or not a quality craftsmanship product can be replicated by machines in mass production.At the beginning of the

Industrial revolution of the 19th century there was more appreciation for mass production as it was regarded as a new thing that could produce more goods for less,

thus serving more people. Notely the Draby iron pot in 1709 is iconic in those terms. later in 1839 fabric patterns designer W. Morris introduced the designers'

copyright and he went back to craftsmanship.Design has to be affordable for everyone, be "democratic". The object has to have a function first of all. The Bauhaus

school and Le Corbusier put function first ( the house as a "machine for living").
After the Second World War people started selling their "antiques". An iconic object from this era is the George carwardine Anglepoise lamp, born by a fusion between

design and engineering.
As opposed to european design, american design is more focused on the mainstream, rather than being exclusive (Dreyfuss designed "Joe and Josephine", figures based on

the average americans in order to deisgn around those measurements). from this time is also the invention of the roulett by W.Byam.
Blue prints of war - It explored design on the war front, such as weapons, which in the end are designed like all the other objects in terms of their ergonomics and

funciotnality. At this time Hitler understtod the power of design and communication and used it at his advantage as part of his regime propaganda.
60's & 70's - Chemistry led to Plastics, the greatest invention of this time in terms of materials. Everyday objects like the Tupperware kitchen  design were born at

this time. The 60's are also known as teh "plastics decade": plastic was fashionable, affordable and disposable.R.Day, Alessi, J.Colombo and V.Panton are all great

designers who contributed to history through the use of plastics. After the war Japan took on the leading role in the industry of electronics. Sony designed the

"Walkman" in 1979 which gave users freedom and liberation and promoted a more mobile way of living. Unfortunately for plastics they did not stand the test of time:

plastic it's a very brittle material, it ages very badly and it's not eco-friendly. As a reaction to plastic sustainability now is the main focus for designers.