The Concepts of Design

What is the definition of design? When I looked up “design” in the Oxford dictionary, seven different definitions, including when it is a noun and when it is a verb, from in terms of arrangement to in terms of intention, are present. Charles Eames defined “design” as “a plan for arranging elements in such a way as to best accomplish a particular purpose. (Eames)” Broadly, design is often connected with “arrange”; this is also the one big difference between “design” and “invention”. Design is not a “craft for industrial purposes” according to Charles Eames; for example, we can say that the design of Apple is innovative, but Steven Jobs did not invent the computer or the mp3. Design is taking what was created before and adding to it, hopefully in order to make it more convenient for use or more aesthetic; the latter is what we are learning to achieve in art schools and what artists usually talk about. Of course, often artistic beauty does not conflict with convenience, as Eames pointed out, “Who would say that pleasure is not useful?”



Below is Alphonse Mucha’s poster design, Gismonda. Highly realistic and splendid, the design serves to attract people to the play, as an advertisement.








The design here is sophisticated but its purpose, to attract people, has been successfully achieved.



Below is a very different, yet also successful design, the iPod shuffle.

Instead of being attracted by the colors, patterns, and elaborateness, people are attracted by the simplicity and small size of the iPod shuffle.

There is, therefore, no simple conclusion of what is a “good” design; the design that adds to a piece that already exists may add to its beauty or usefulness, without crossing the “constraints” of possibility.

Work Cited:

Eames, Charles. "What Is Design?" Interview. 1972.

Hornby, A. S. Oxford Advanced Learner's English Chinese Dictionary. 7th ed. England: Oxford, 2009. Print.

Pictures:

Mucha, Alphonse. Gismonda. Paintinghere.com. Web. 26 Aug. 2011. .

Apple IPod Shuffle 4GB - Size Comparison - II. Photograph. Softpedia. Softpedia. Web. 26 Aug. 2011.

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After discussing the interview with the class, several points may be added. Both pictures above are designs bearing strong "trademarks" of the designer or the "research office", but some designers, such as Philippe Starck, designs in various fields; their work is, as well, brilliant designs if the "elements" are cleverly arranged.