2.2 Design Theory

Question 1

What aspects should we consider when analysing designs from the past?

Answer 1

cultural and social influences from the time
major technological developments of the time
key aspects associated with the movement/designer
influences on design today

Question 2

What are the 8 design movements?

Answer 2

arts and crafts movement
art deco
modernism
de stijl
bauhaus
streamlining
post-modernism
memphis

Question 3

key aspects of the arts and crafts movement?

Answer 3

Draw inspiration from medieval craftsmanship, reflecting natural forms in textures and surface design.
Focused on the natural beauty of timber in the production of handcrafted furniture.
Appreciation of the beauty of materials.
They were keen to highlight the unique nature of materials, such as the grain in oak wood.
Hand produced using craft skills.

Question 4

Key designer from the arts and crafts movement

Answer 4

William Morris

Question 5

What was the art deco movement names after?

Answer 5

the Paris Exhibition in 1925

Question 6

What was the art deco influenced by?

Answer 6

the geometric shapes on Tutankhamun’s tomb

Question 7

Key designer from the art deco movement

Answer 7

Clarice Cliff

Question 8

Key features of the art deco movement

Answer 8

 Sunburst motifs
* These rays or segments radiating from a central point were commonly seen in architecture and surface patterns.
 Ziggurat (stepped pyramids) was often seen on architecture.
 Simple geometric forms
* Distinct change from the natural realism associated with Art Nouveau.

Question 9

What was modernism symbolised by?

Answer 9

key design schools such as Bauhaus and De Stijl

Question 10

key features of de stijl

Answer 10

o Focused on the use of basic rectilinear forms and primary colour schemes to produce abstract artistic pieces.
o Designs were largely asymmetrical.

Question 11

Where was de stijl particularly evident?

Answer 11

furniture, interiors and architecture

Question 12

key designer from the De Stijl movement

Answer 12

o Gerrit Rietveld who created the iconic ‘red and blue chair’.

Question 13

When and where was Bauhaus founded?

Answer 13

Design school founded in Germany in 1919

Question 14

What did Bauhaus specialise in?

Answer 14

metalwork, furniture, architecture, and graphics

Question 15

What was the aim of Bauhaus?

Answer 15

Aimed to be true to materials and relinquish ornamentation, focusing on the aesthetic associated with the manufacturing process.

Question 16

key features of the Bauhaus movement?

Answer 16

 Form follow function – the aesthetic of a product is dictated by the way it works.
 Embracing the machine age – Although Bauhaus rebelled against ornamentation of designs, it differed in that it was keen to use modern machine-based manufacturing processes, seeing beauty in the machined finishes and fabrication methods.
 Geometrically pure forms
 Everyday products for everyday people – Keen to embrace modern manufacturing techniques as a method of providing affordable products for the whole population.

Question 17

What was an iconic product from this movement?

Answer 17

The Barcelona chair, which is still very influential today

Question 18

What did the evolution of streamlining mean?

Answer 18

The evolution of streamlining saw the increased use in architecture of flowing curves and smooth exteriors, bisected with chrome detailing.

Question 19

Why was streamlining significant?

Answer 19

Application of streamlining to household objects was seen as a sign of modernity.

Question 20

Who was a key designer from the streamlining movement?

Answer 20

Raymond Loewy has a massive contribution to the movement

Question 21

Why was post-modernism significant?

Answer 21

Seen as a counter rebellion against the simplicity of form and purely functional nature of Modernism.

Question 22

What are the key features of the Memphis movement?

Answer 22

 Bold and colourful playful designs – it challenged the simplicity of modernism and often used a range of bright colours, including those directly opposite in the colour wheel.
 Simplistic juxtapositions of geometric forms – the position of these could seem quite random, reflecting a desire to produce abstract sculptural products.
 Challenging forms that often compromised on function

Question 23

What was a significant design from the Memphis movement?

Answer 23

Ettore Sottsass’s Carlton dresser.

Question 24

Key designer from the Memphis movement?

Answer 24

Ettore Sottsass

Question 25

Who are the 6 key designers that we study?

Answer 25

Philippe Starck
James Dyson
Margaret Calvert
Dieter Rams
Charles and Ray Eames
Marianne Brandt

Question 26

Who was Philippe Starck? Why is he significant?

Answer 26

o French product designer
o His designs can be regarded as postmodern sculptural pieces, focusing on aesthetics before function.
o He challenges perceptions and aims to enhance the experience of the user through playful and though-provoking design.

Question 27

What is an iconic design by Philippe Starck?

Answer 27

metal juicer

Question 28

Who was James Dyson and why was he significant?

Answer 28

o British design engineer who has developed a wide range of highly successful household products through the application of innovative technology to existing products.
o He introduced ‘bagless’ cleaning to homes, utilising technology used in dust extraction systems to separate the collected particles from clean air.
 Through detailed product analysis of existing vacuum cleaner technology, he identified problems with the bag collection system

Question 29

Who was Margaret Calvert and why was she significant?

Answer 29

o A highly influential graphic designer who, working with Jock Kinnier, developed the Transport font and many of the standard pictograms used on UK road signs.
o Produced simple and clear communication through signs to motorists.

Question 30

Who was Dieter Rams and why was he significant?

Answer 30

o A German functionalist designer, who had a huge impact in product design in the latter half of the 20th century.
o He came up with his 10 principles of design that he believes every product design should consider before being manufactured.

Question 31

What are Dieter Rams’ 10 principles of design? Good design is…

Answer 31

 1. Is Innovative
 2. Makes a product useful
 3. Is aesthetic
 4. Makes a product understandable
 5. In unobtrusive
 6. In honest
 7. Has longevity
 8. Is thorough down to the last detail
 9. In environmentally friendly
 10. Is as little design as possible

Question 32

Who were Charles and Ray Eames and why are they significant?

Answer 32

o They were an American husband and wife design partnership, famous for their work on moulded furniture both in plywood and polymers.
o The application of their ideas with regard to technology in furniture design paved the way for single form seating both in polymer and plywood.

Question 33

Who was Marianne Brandt and why was she significant?

Answer 33

o Was a student at the Bauhaus design school and became the head of the metalwork department in 1928.
o She developed a range of geometrically pure kitchenware products, which were successfully marketed and sold at a time when most Bauhaus products were still regarded as too controversial for the mass market.
o The simplicity of form used in her designs has ensured their longevity and relevance in modern design.

Question 34

What are the key features of the postmodernism art movement?

Answer 34

Eclecticism - combines elements from various styles and periods.
Uses humour and satire to critique cultural norms.
Challenging traditional boundaries and hierarchies in art and society

Question 35

Who is a significant designer in the Postmodernism art movement?

Answer 35

Andy Warhol