The Industrial Revolution, starts from the 18th to 19th centuries, as rural society in Europe and America were shifted to become urban (Wyatt 2008, p. 22). Technological changes were imposed to end the manufacturing by hand, factories were built (Housel 2007, p. 4). With the growth of mass production, industrialisation established the prerequisite for the design profession. (Hauffe 1998, p.12)
- Mass production often using standardized designs, and assembly-line techniques with systematic application of ideas (Wolfe 2015, p. 98). Series production, is to produce a batch of products while maintaining its social aspect. (CEOpedia, 2017). For a high turnover, new distribution approaches adopted (catalogs, sale representatives and advertising). International sales inflated, as many trade obstacles disentangle. (Hauffe, 1998, p.12)
- The primary function of any form is the purpose of design and its usability. Form is to express the practical utility in producing quality assured goods. (Heskett 2005, p. 25)
Assumptions
- The form had only to suit its function and not include unnecessary details.
- The manufacturing process needs to be simple and involving a metric language, and quality control. (Hauffe, 1998, p.13)
The design function shifted to be a meaningful order with improved usability.
The five points are
- Artistic/Aesthetic – exploring the aesthetics elements of graphic concepts.
- Technical/Functional: communicating the design to its intended purpose.
- Marketing Orientation: surveying the product demand and competitors.
- Theoretical/Scientific: environmental analyses required to meet the technical
- Organizational/Administrative: management and strategic planning required
- Practical function neglects the expression, and concerns with how designs provide a purpose, to serve the needs for durability.
Aesthetic function reinforces the semantic values of design; and highly concerned with the conceptual, social and cultural use of it, to communicate the visual for identity.
Symbolic function emphasises the metaphoric language of design and the spectrum beyond any tangible significance. Logos and patterns can attach meanings to designs. (Heskett 2005, pp. 25-106)
Three designs
We are all African. Milton Glaser (2005)
<http://assets.creativity-online.com/images/work/print/o/n/e/oneorg-print050913.jpg>
A symbolic function identifies and resembles the African mythologies.
Milton’s hand, and its shape, symbolises unity and emphasise the negative space. The outline stands firm, to provide movement and harmony. Tonal variations from dark to light, reflects strong tribal differences; however, with solidarity. The fingertips and the matching typeface is to communicate the visual.
Red Shoes: Homage to Wizard of Oz shoes. Guo Pei (2011)
<http://assets.creativity-online.com/images/work/print/o/n/e/oneorg-print050913.jpg>
An aesthetic function evokes expression, inspiration and imagination.
Guo’s focal point is the gigantic form. Like Chinese architecture, ornaments aesthetically attract the senses. Curves and angles provide space and visual depth. The red colour embraces the object, and ornaments stimulate an exuberance appealing texture.
SK4 Record Player (Snow White’s coffin). Dieter Rams (1956)
<https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/4d/13/33/4d1333b5cc0458019fad1f39142c8b16.jpg>
A practical function with simplicity in construction and great precision of form.
Dieter’s focal point is the successful use of white paint and plexiglass cover. Like the Bauhaus architecture, a meaningful order. The plain geometry stands to provide rigidity, and the use of black buttons, with the indicator needle, emphasis functional connection. The intelligent use of the matte texture tone arm, satisfy its need of usability.
- Milton Glaser
An articulate graphic designer in the United States. Conceptual thinking and inspiring understanding intermingled with enormous vocabulary, as intellectual designer-illustrator who impacts on the profession during this century. His ramifications of visions associated with highly imaginative visual language. (Glaser, n.d.)
- Duo Pei
A contemporary legend of rooted Chinese traditions and Western style, in a subtle modern innovation. Her imagination inspired by history and fairy tales, evoking romantic elegance to the world of fabric and texture. Every design communicates a story and conveyed emotional arouse. (Pei, n.d.)
- Dieter Rams
Iconic industrial designer during the 20th century. Ram identifies the visual language as graceful, yet comprehensible. His extreme influence over the course of architect and design has become immensely inspiring to modern design, adhering to his design philosophy and the elements of the good design. (The Design Museum n.d.)
Reference list entry:
CEOpedia n.d., Management online (2017), Serial production, viewed 19 Mar 2017,
<https://ceopedia.org/index.php/Serial_production>.
Glaser, M n.d., Milton Glaser, viewed 21 March 2017, <https://www.miltonglaser.com/>.
Hauffe, T 1998, Introduction to design: a concise history, Lawrence King, London.
Heskett, J 2005, Design: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press Inc., New York.
Housel, DJ 2007, Industrial Revolution, Shell Education, Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central. [18 March 2017].
Pei, G n.d., Guo Pei, viewed 21 March 2017, <http://www.guo-pei.fr/>.
The Design Museum n.d., Dieter Rams, The Design Museum, viewed 21 March 2017,
<https://designmuseum.org/designers/dieter-rams >.
Wolfe, JPC 2015, Industrial Revolution, Britannica Educational Publishing, Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central. [18 March 2017].
Wyatt, LT 2008, Industrial Revolution, ABC-CLIO, Santa Barbara. Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central. [18 March 2017].
Images:
We are all African, n.d. [image], in google images, viewed 21 March 2017,
<http://assets.creativity-online.com/images/work/print/o/n/e/oneorg-print050913.jpg>
Red Shoes: Homage to Wizard of Oz shoes, n.d. [image], in google images, viewed 21 March 2017,
<https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/fc/b4/d0/fcb4d0ef3d2780dbec0c53f9f07315d9.jpg>
SK4 Record Player (Snow White’s coffin), n.d. [image], in google images, viewed 21 March 2017,
<https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/4d/13/33/4d1333b5cc0458019fad1f39142c8b16.jpg>